Latest Investment Commentary

Investment income is king

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 May 2012

Investing for income is always a popular investment theme, never more so than in recent months with income solutions ruling the roost over the ISA season for both the cash ISAs and investment ISAs. ... Read more

Investment Focus: Gilliat Income Builder Plus

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 May 2012

Of all the investment themes, income is consistently at the forefront of the investor’s mind, whether you are working and need to supplement your earnings, or retired and looking to add to you... Read more

5 x FTSE growth - potential returns of up to 100%

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 May 2012

"If you think the FTSE will rise over the medium term then this plan could be just for you. The Best Entry plan from Morgan Stanley offers a return of 5 x any rise in the FTSE 100 Index with a ... Read more

Investment Focus

Investment Focus: Gilliat Income Builder Plus

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 May 2012

Of all the investment themes, income is consistently at the forefront of the investor’s mind, whether you are working and need to supplement your earnings, or retired and looking to add to you... 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

Investment Focus: Gilliat Deposit Kick Out Plan

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 20 September 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

ISA Savings image
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. 
Read more »

Latest Newsletter Articles

M&G takes top spot

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 17 April 2012

M&G has enjoyed pride of place so far this year as a top performing investment house, not only taking 3 of our Top 10 fund picks for ISA season but also taking the number one slot for the most m... Read more

New ISA season new investment opportunities

James Caldwell / 13 April 2012

For Savers and Investors the new 2012/13 tax year which started on 6th April 2012 brings with it new ISA allowance thresholds which have been set by HM Treasury. For Cash ISA savers £5,640 can... Read more

ISAs overtake pensions in popularity

Colm Hebblethwaite / 12 April 2012

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released figures that show that people in the UK have put more money into stocks and shares ISAs than personal pensions. 2010/11 saw around £15.84 ... Read more

ISA Rules

ISA rules - tax efficient savings!

ISAs are Individual Savings Accounts that allow you to save money and accrue interest that is not eligible for tax. However, there are some ISA rules that apply to the tax free savings method.

ISA rules are liable to change as the Government sees fit. The ISA limit can be increased, so that you can shelter more of your investments and savings from tax. See below to learn more about ISA rules and to compare the latest ISA deals:

Structured Income ISAs
 Product NameISA OptionIncome YieldMore Info
Income Builder Plusyes8.40%
per annum		More Info >
A 5 year structured investment plan paying a potential maximum quarterly income of 2.10% (equivalent to 8.40% per year). Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer.
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 Deposit Planyes7.00%
per annum		More Info >
A 6 year capital protected structured deposit plan with the potential to pay 7% 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%
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% times the number of years the plan has been in force. Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer.
FTSE Defensive Bonus Planyes9.50%
per annum		Up to 6 yearsMore Info >
6 year structured investment plan with the potential to mature early, returning the greater of 9.50% 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 Planyes9%
per annum		Up to 6 yearsMore Info >
A 6 year structured investment plan with the potential to mature early, paying 9% 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. 

Fund ISAs for income
 Product NameISA OptionIncome YieldMore Info
Invesco Perpetual Monthly Income Plusyes7.01%More Info >
Income Paid Monthly. Popular 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. See latest fund factsheet for details.
Newton Higher Incomeyes7.02%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. See latest fund factsheet for details.
Invesco Perpetual Distributionyes6.70%More Info >
Income Paid Monthly. Invesco Perpetual Distribution offers a balance between both income and capital growth through investment in UK based equities and fixed interest securities. See latest fund factsheet for details.
*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. 

Some of the other ISA rules include:

  • Making withdrawals can mean you lose interest for that month
  • Closing the account before the end of its term can incur penalties
  • Notice is sometimes required to be given for withdrawals
  • Once you have withdrawn funds, they cannot be replaced if you have alread deposited the maximum for that tax year
  • ISA transfers do not count towards your ISA limit for that tax year

As long as you stick to the ISA rules you can really maximise your money's potential with an ISA. Not sure which ISA to go for? Check out our top ISA deals in the tables and see if there's one that suits your needs:

 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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