News Tag: Isas
March 17, 2010
Sustainable and ethical investments are expected to increase their share in the ISA market by more than 1000% this year, according to research by The Co-operative.
Ethical investments currently have a 1% share of the ISA market, but The Co-operative predicts that this could increase thirteen-fold later this year as savers use their increased ISA allowance for more eco-friendly investments.
The Co-operative's ...
Ethical investments could increase 1000% this year
by David Masters
Savers “disillusioned” with ISA returns
by David Masters
February 17, 2010
Research by the Halifax has revealed the growing popularity of Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs).
The Halifax, which is now part of the Lloyds Banking Group, said the number of accounts opened in the nine years to March 2009 surged by 53%.
At the start of the millennium, there were 9,000 subscribed ISA accounts, but this grew to more than 14,000 in 2009.
In ...
ISAs continue to grow in popularity
by Kay Murchie
January 29, 2010
The government's ISA allowance increase for savers over-50 has proved hugely popular, with older investors more than doubling their lump sum contributions into share-based ISAs, according to new research from Virgin Money.
Income funds have proved the most popular, with contributions rising 130% in the three months from 6 October 2009 to 5 January 2010 compared to the same period the previous year, ...
ISAs popular with older investors
by David Masters
October 8, 2009
The increase in ISA allowances for the over-50s was simply a headline-grabbing attempt by the government that will have little effect on the finances of older savers, Moneynet.co.uk said this week. Since 6 October, over-50s have been allowed to save £5,100 per year in their Cash ISA rather than £3,600. Moneynet.co.uk calculated that the average benefit of the increase for basic rate tax payers will be just £4 in extra interest earned. "It ...
Moneynet slams government for ‘headline-grabbing’ with ISA increase
by David MastersThe increase in ISA allowances for the over-50s was simply a headline-grabbing attempt by the government that will have little effect on the finances of older savers, Moneynet.co.uk said this week. Since 6 October, over-50s have been allowed to save £5,100 per year in their Cash ISA rather than £3,600. Moneynet.co.uk calculated that the average benefit of the increase for basic rate tax payers will be just £4 in extra interest earned. "It ...
September 23, 2009
Older savers are being kept in the dark as to how much they will be able to invest tax-free when the ISA limit increases for over-50s next month.
Research by Saga found just one in twenty of over-50s know what the new ISA limits will be.
More than half of those polled were oblivious to any changes happening at all.
Saga said its research demonstrates ...
Over-50s unaware of ISA changes
by David Masters
September 6, 2009
Nearly half of savers over 50 plan to make the most of their increased ISA allowance next month.
From 6 October, the maximum ISA allowance for over 50s will increase from £7,200 to £10,200.
A poll by Legal & General (L&G) found 44% of ISA investors over 50 plan to use the increased allowance.
A further 32% said they are unsure, and ...
Over 50s plan to use £10,200 ISA allowance
by David Masters
August 6, 2009
Norwich & Peterborough Building Society (N&P) this week announced plans to increase the interest rates on its ISAs and fixed rate bonds.
Rates on its two and five year fixed rate ISAs increased to 3.05% and 4.55% respectively.
Three and five year fixed rate bonds at the building society now pay up to 4.3% and 5.05% respectively.
N&P also announced the launch of ...
N&P raises rates on bonds and ISAs
by David Masters
July 26, 2009
Nationwide has launched a new range of fixed-rate ISA bonds paying interest at up to 4.5%.
The bonds are available for one year, three years, or five years, paying interest at 3%, 3.75% and 4.5% respectively.
The ISAs can be opened with a minimum of £1, and savers can opt to transfer the balance from their previous ISA allowances.
The new ISAs are repackaged versions ...
Nationwide launches fixed-rate ISA bonds
by David Masters
June 5, 2009
Many top-paying ISA providers this week slashed the interest rates offered on their tax-free savings accounts.
Price comparison site Moneynet said some providers have already reached their targets for ISA deposits during 2009-10, and have cut rates to keep away new customers.
Some ISA providers have completely withdrawn accounts from potential new customers, Moneynet said, with both Halifax and First Direct withdrawing their ISA ...
Rates on top ISAs crumble
by David Masters
May 7, 2009
Moneynet.co.uk has released its list of the top three savings accounts available to UK savers.
The price comparison site said Barclays is best for regular savings, West Bromwich Building Society offers the top rate for fixed-rate accounts, and Barclays comes top for individual savings accounts.
Barclays Monthly Saver pays a 'cracking' 6% AER fixed for one year.
Deposits are limited to £250 per month, ...
Moneynet reveals top three savings accounts
by David Masters
April 29, 2009
Government plans to help elderly savers by increasing the limit on tax-free savings will have little effect, a financial expert has warned.
Kevin Mountford, savings expert at Moneysupermarket.com, said the increased limit on cash ISAs - from £3,600 to £5,100 - is worth a paltry £1.89 in tax savings on interest payments.
The £1,500 increase - which applies to savers over-50 ...
New ISA limits ‘all sizzle and no sausage’
by David Masters
April 27, 2009
Moneyfacts.co.uk has revealed the top performing cash ISAs during 2008-09.
"Unsurprisingly it was fixed rate cash ISAs that yielded some of the top returns," said Michelle Slade, Moneyfacts.co.uk analyst.
Alliance and Leicester's (A&L) Premier ISA took first place, adding £327.37 to a £3,600 investment made on 6 April 2008.
However, to qualify for the Premier ISA, customers had to be a new or existing A&L ...
Moneyfacts reveals best performing ISAs
by David Masters
April 24, 2009
From April next year, savers will be able to earn tax-free interest on up to £10,200 of savings following an increase to the ISA allowance. Chancellor Alistair Darling announced the change this week in his Budget speech, increasing both the cash savings and the investments limit from £3,600 to £5,100. Financial experts and high street banks welcomed the move, although some commentators sneered at the measure as far too cautious and unlikely ...
ISA limit increased to £10,200
by David MastersFrom April next year, savers will be able to earn tax-free interest on up to £10,200 of savings following an increase to the ISA allowance. Chancellor Alistair Darling announced the change this week in his Budget speech, increasing both the cash savings and the investments limit from £3,600 to £5,100. Financial experts and high street banks welcomed the move, although some commentators sneered at the measure as far too cautious and unlikely ...
April 22, 2009
In today’s Budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said the country is suffering as the economy is in the midst of its worst year since World War II.
In an attempt to drive the UK to recovery, the Chancellor unveiled a series of measures including tax rises and spending cuts.
Those earning in excess of £150,000 face a top tax rate of ...
Darling announces tax rises in Budget
by Kay Murchie
Nationwide calls for ISA review in Budget
by David Masters
April 1, 2009
Savers disillusioned by low-interest rates should spread their tax-free ISA allowance across bonds and income-funds, Virgin Money said this week.
With the Bank of England's base rate at an all time low, Cash ISA interest rates offer meagre returns, hitting an average of 0.96% at the end of February.
Meanwhile, the ongoing volatility of the stock market has ...
Virgin Money tells ISA savers to use it or lose it
by David Masters
March 27, 2009
Saga Personal Finance has announced plans to launch two new ISA products on 1 April, paying interest at up to 2.95% tax free/AER.
The One Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA pays annual interest at 2.95% tax free/AER, whilst the Saga One Year Fixed Rate Monthly Interest ISA pays interest at 2.91% tax free or 2.95% AER.
Minimum deposit for both accounts is £1, and ...
Saga launches two new ISAs
by David Masters
March 24, 2009
Britain is engulfed in a 'savings crisis' with one in four adults having saved nothing in the past two years, new research by moneysupermarket.com has discovered.
The poll also found that over a third (36%) of Brits now have less money in their savings than they did in 2007.
Of those who are saving, just 6% have saved enough in the past two years ...
Savings crisis engulfs Britain
by David Masters
March 20, 2009
Many people in the UK find individual savings accounts (ISAs) confusing, according to new research by Alliance & Leicester.
The building society found that 71% of Brits did not know that the current Cash ISA allowance is £3,600.
One in five (19%) of those questioned believed that the allowance was still £3,000.
Nearly half of those polled (43%) didn't have any money in ...
Alliance & Leicester: ISAs are too complicated
by David Masters
