Investment Focus

Investment Focus: Legal & General Inflation Protected Deposit Plan

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 November 2011

The current rate of inflation is well above the Bank of England’s target of 2% and is a major cause of concern for savers across the UK. We take a look at a recent new entrant to the market wh... Read more

Investment Focus: Meteor Income Deposit Plan

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 November 2011

The current economic environment is one of the most challenging ever seen and those that are feeling it most are savers and investors seeking an income from their capital. We take a look at one part... Read more

Investment Focus: Gilliat Deposit Kick Out Plan

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 November 2011

Finding a product that offers an attractive solution in the current economic climate is certainly a challenge. However, despite some of the most challenging conditions ever seen, we take a look at o... Read more

ISA Guide

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Looking for tax-efficient savings but not sure where to start or how much you can save? Our short guide to ISAs helps you make the most of your ISA. 
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Latest investment commentary

What lies in store in 2012

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 January 2012

2011 has certainly been a year of strong themes which have dramatically shaped the market as well as the opportunities available for savers and investors. We take a look at what these have been and ... Read more

A review of the FTSE in 2011 and what we can learn

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 January 2012

The FTSE is one of the most important indicators of investment performance and acts as a key benchmark for many investors in the UK. For this reason we take a look back at 2011 and review what happe... Read more

Our Top 10 most popular plans in 2011

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 09 January 2012

With 2012 well underway, there is already a competitive range of plans available across a wide number of plan types, whether you are looking for traditional savings routes, investments with the pote... Read more

Latest investment news

Top 10 reasons to consider Kick Out plans

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 07 February 2012

With the interest in Kick Out plans continuing to rise and the current market offering some of the highest rates ever from this type of investment, we give you 10 reasons which help to explain why K... Read more

Kick Out plans laid bare

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 07 February 2012

Kick Out plans were the real story of 2011, with a huge surge of interest that continues to keep pace. With such a wide variety of products available in the market, we take an in-depth look under th... Read more

What lies in store in 2012

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 January 2012

2011 has certainly been a year of strong themes which have dramatically shaped the market as well as the opportunities available for savers and investors. We take a look at what these have been and ... Read more

Best Mini ISA

Find the best ISA deals...

The best mini ISA (Individual Savings Account) became either the best cash ISA or the best stocks and shares ISA, when mini and maxi ISAs were reclassified by the government on April 6 2008.

Previously, the tax free allowance for an adult was £7,000 per year; up to £3,000 of this allowance could be invested in cash, either in a mini cash ISA or the cash component of a maxi ISA. The remainder of the tax free allowance could then be invested in stocks and shares, either using the remainder of a maxi ISA or into a mini stocks and shares ISA.

Visit ISA allowance to view the current annual ISA allowance for investing in cash ISAs and stocks and shares ISAs.

To compare deals from some of the leading providers, use the table below and find an alternative to the best mini ISA for you:

Instant Access Cash ISAs
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
3.10%Instant AccessApply Now >
Introductory fixed rate of 3.10% AER tax-free until 31 January 2013 for balances over £1,000. Reverts to variable rate currently 1.00% AER tax-free.
3.00%Instant AccessApply Now >
3.00% AER (2.96% gross p.a) tax free guaranteed for 12 months. Open with £1. No restrictions on withdrawals.
2.60%Instant AccessApply Now >
2.60% gross/AER variable tax-free. Instant access.

Fixed Rate Cash ISAs
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
4.20%5 YearsApply Now >
Cash ISA with a fixed rate of 4.20% AER for 5 years. £500 minimum balance. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
4.10%4 YearsApply Now >
Cash ISA with a fixed rate of 4.10% AER for 4 years. £500 minimum balance. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
up to
4.20%		3 YearsApply Now >
Earn 4.20% Gross/AER when you transfer in or 3.80% Gross/AER standard rate. £1,000 minimum deposit. Transfers allowed from other cash ISAs.

So if you were looking for the best mini ISA, you will now want to decide whether you want to invest in cash, stocks and shares, or both.

If you already had a mini cash ISA, it will automatically become a cash ISA and if you already had a mini Stocks and Shares ISA, it will automatically become a stocks and shares ISA.

For more information and to compare more ISA deals see:


Cash ISAs
Stocks and Shares ISAs

See below for structured income and structured growth ISAs, as well as investment funds available as stocks and shares ISA investments:

Structured Income ISAs
 Product NameISA OptionIncome YieldMore Info
FTSE 100 Bonus Income Planyes7.50%
per annum		More Info >
5 year structured investment plan paying an income of 7.50% annually, including a potential annual bonus of 0.5%. Also available as a monthly income option, Stocks & Shares ISA investment and ISA transfer.
Income Builder yes7.50%
per annum		More Info >
A 5 years and 3 weeks structured investment plan paying a potential maximum quarterly income of 1.875% (equivalent to 7.50% per year). Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer.
FTSE Income Deposit Planyes7.25%
per annum		More Info >
A 6 year capital protected structured deposit plan with the potential to pay 7.25% annual income. Backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Also available as a cash ISA and for ISA transfer.

The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below. 


Structured Growth ISAs
 Product NameISA OptionMaximum Potential ReturnTermMore Info
FTSE 100 Enhanced Kick Out Plan Investec Versionyes13.50%
per annum		Up to
5 years		More Info >
Structured investment plan with the potential to mature after years 1, 2, 3 and 4. If the plan matures early it will return 13.5% times the number of years the plan has been in force. Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer.
FTSE Bonus Growth Planyes12.50%
per annum		Up to 6 yearsMore Info >
6 year structured investment plan with the potential to mature early, returning the greater of 12.5% for each year the plan is in place, or the highest return from the FTSE, measured daily. Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer
Early Bonus Planyes11.00%
per annum		Up to 6 yearsMore Info >
A 6 year structured investment plan with the potential to mature early, paying 11% for every year the plan is active. Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer.

The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below. 


Income Funds - Select Range
 Product NameISA OptionIncome YieldMore Info
Monthly Income Plus Fundyes
7.50%*
More Info >
Popular monthly income fund that aims to achieve a high level of income whilst seeking to maximise total return through investing in high yielding corporate and Government bonds, together with UK equities. 100% discount on initial charges.
Higher Income Fundyes
7.05%**
More Info >
Income Paid Quarterly. The objective of the Fund is to achieve increasing distributions on a calendar year basis with long term capital growth. The Fund may also invest in collective investment schemes. 100% discount on initial charges.
Distribution Fundyes
6.98%*
More Info >
Income Paid Monthly. Offers balance between both income and capital growth through investment in UK based equities and fixed interest securities. Save 100% on Initial Charges.
*Current Income Yields are Gross, Variable and Not Guaranteed
**Historic Yield reflects distributions declared over the past 12 months as a percentage of the mid-market price of the fund.
*** This is the target yield the fund aims to achieve per year, it is not guaranteed and could change according to prevailing market conditions. The target yield is net of basic rate tax.
Information correct as at 08/02/2012.

The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below. 


Growth Investment Funds
Fund ManagerFundSectorFactsheetMore info
Emerging Markets FundGlobal Emerging MarketsFactsheetMore Info >
Aims to provide long-term capital growth through investing in global emerging stock markets. Save 100% on Initial Charges.
Gold & General FundSpecialistFactsheetMore Info >
Specialist growth fund that invests in gold, mining and precious metal related shares. Save 100% on Initial Charges.
Ecology FundGlobal GrowthFactsheetMore Info >
A socially responsible fund that primarily acts as a growth fund, but also aims to provide a growing income return. Save 100% on Initial Charges.

The value of investments and any return from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information below. 

 Important Risk Information:

This website contains information only and does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation in any way whatsoever. The value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested.

Investments in Stocks & Shares ISAs do not contain the same degree of capital security as investments in deposits. Stocks and shares ISAs are designed as medium to long term investments of, for example, five years or more. The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.

Different types of investment carry different levels of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information for further details. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment and should read the product literature. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.

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