Compare Principality ISAs
Compare ISAs from Principality and other ISA options available.
Investment ISAs put your capital at risk & you may get back less than you originally invested
- Fund Choice: Access 40,000+ UK, US and international shares on 17 global exchanges. Choose from over 3,000 funds
- Invest From: £25 pm
Why we like it: An award-winning ISA that gives you complete control. The second largest platform in the UK with the widest choice of investment options in the market including funds, investment trusts, ETF’s and more. Open online in less than 10 minutes. Access to expert independent ideas and analysis. Low cost fees and trading. Capital at risk.
- Fund Choice: Offering commission-free DIY investing from a choice of 700 ETF's, or low-cost professionally managed income or growth portfolios built for you
- Invest From: £100
Why we like it: Make the most of the world’s best ETFs commission free. Build your own portfolio commission free or leave it to our experts for just 0.25%. Zero‑ISA fees. Choice of 700+ ETFs. Low cost, diversified, index-tracking of stock markets, bonds and commodities. DIY or Managed. ETF costs apply. Capital at Risk
- Fund Choice: Over 12,500 investments, or a choice of five managed funds
- Invest From: No minimum
Why we like it: Take charge of your investment decisions and invest from just £1 to build your investment portfolio from over 12,500 investments, from stocks and shares, funds, ETFs and more. Low platform fee is a maximum 0.30%. Alternatively choose an expertly managed portfolio by selecting from a range of five actively managed funds that most closely matches your investment objectives and risk appetite with an annual review to ensure to ensure your money is being managed in a suitable investment strategy. Advice is restricted to Charles Stanley Direct’s in-house funds and is subject to a minimum investment £20,000. Capital at risk.
- Fund Choice: Nutmeg offer 5 investment styles with ETFs, using technology to keep charges low
- Invest From: Min. £500
Why we like it: Get a stocks & shares ISA portfolio – Choose one of five investment styles, either fully managed by Nutmeg’s expert team or a fixed allocation portfolio. No tie-ins, no set-up fees, no exit charges. Easy, online set up. Start with as little as £500. Portfolio management fees of 0.45%-0.75% up to £100k. 0.25%-0.35% beyond £100k. There are also underlying investment charges, see the fees page. Plus, live chat, amazing customer support and brilliant investor tools and guides. Nutmeg are regulated by the FCA & are covered by the FSCS. ISA eligibility and tax rules apply. Capital at risk. Approved by Nutmeg 09/08/2024
- Fund Choice: Invest in over 2,000 funds, shares and more across 25 markets
- Invest From: £25 pm
Why we like it: Invest in over 2,000 funds, shares and more across 25 markets. Invest from £25 per month. Which? Recommended Provider for Investment Platforms 2019–2023. Low-cost online dealing from £3.50. Open your account in minutes from app or website, manage your portfolio on the move. FSCS protected. Capital at risk
- Fund Choice: 10 managed portfolios to choose from. Choose your risk profile and have an investment Plan built and managed for you
- Invest From: £1
Why we like it: Choose your level of risk from cautious to adventurous and have a plan expertly created and managed for you. Create multiple Plans – including Ethical Plans – with different risk levels. Invest as little or much as you like, add regular payments and top up whenever you like. Withdraw money or transfer out without notice or penalty fees. Wealthify app lets you check how your Plan is performing, manage your transactions and provide investment news and insights. Simple annual management charge of 0.6%
- Fund Choice: Invest in the Shepherds With Profits Fund which offers medium to low risk investing, with the aim of growing your money in a smooth manner over the long term
- Invest From: £30 pm
Why we like it: You don’t have to make any tricky investment decisions; your money will be invested in Shepherds With Profits Fund, and the bonuses you could receive will depend on the future performance of the fund. To try to achieve higher returns for you, your money is invested in a variety of assets, the majority of which consist of stocks and shares, but also property, bonds and cash. While returns are not guaranteed in stocks and shares investments and the value can go down as well as up, Shepherds apply a process known as ‘smoothing’ that attempts to even out fluctuations in the value and aims to keep a consistent level of bonus payments. Capital at risk.
- Fund Choice: Choose from a range of 36 funds and ETFs and 20 US stocks. Select one of three simple starting options with a range of tracker funds or build your own investment portfolio by customising your investment options
- Invest From: £1
Why we like it: Choose from a range of 36 funds and ETFs and 20 US stocks to invest with Moneybox. Earn 3.5% AER Variable on any uninvested cash you hold. There are additional fees charged directly by the fund provider. Please check the key investor information document (KIID) for a particular fund for more information. Keep things simple and get started with one of our three starting options: Cautious, Balanced or Adventurous – and customise your investments to align with your values. Open with as little as £1. When investing, your capital is at risk
- Fund Choice: Choose from over 3,000 funds, shares, investment trusts and more to build your portfolio
- Invest From: £25 pm or £100 lump sum
Why we like it: Hargreaves Lansdown are the UK’s no. 1 investment platform for private investors – kickstart your investing with their award-winning ISA. Choose your own investments with expert research and ideas to help you, or simply pick a ready-made portfolio. Manage via website, app or phone. Capital at risk.
- Fund Choice: TILLIT filter the market and select the best-in-class active and passive funds across asset classes, regions and styles
Why we like it: Let Tillett filter the market for you. From well-known classics to trailblazers and wildcards. No one needs 5,000 funds. Get breadth and variety, without the choice paralysis
- Fund Choice: Invest in 6,100+ US, UK & European stocks & ETFs commission-free
- Invest From: £2
Why we like it: Commission-free investing: No fees for buying or selling stocks (other charges may apply). Support: Fast and friendly customer support. A wide range of investments: 6,100+ US, UK, and European stocks, ETFs, and investment trusts. Low monthly fees: From £4.99/month. Capital at risk. Other charges may apply
- Fund Choice: Allocate your savings between a cash money market fund from L&G and investment shares fund from Fidelity
- Invest From: £10
Why we like it: App based stocks & shares ISA account. Choose to allocate your contributions between the two funds on offer in whatever proportion you choose: a shares fund (Fidelity Global Index fund) which aims to track the performance of global stock markets and therefore large companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google and Johnson & Johnson, and a cash fund (Legal & General Cash Trust fund) which aims to provide returns in line with money market rates. Annual fee of 0.5% on the value of any investments. Two funds with their own management fees of between 0.12% and 0.15%. Change your allocation at any point. Option to opt into Round ups – collected from your bank by direct debit on a weekly basis and invested in line with your investment allocation
- Fund Choice: Invested in a single fund - the Unitised With-Profits fund. A mixed managed fund from Scottish Friendly where premiums are pooled with those of other clients and returns are linked to the performance of the underlying assets within the fund
- Invest From: £10 pm o r £100 single
Why we like it: Invest from only £10 a month, lump sums from just £100 or a combination of both using your tax-free Investment ISA allowance. You can stop, restart, raise or lower your payments or your investments and cash in whenever you want. When you set up a My MoneyBuilder Select (ISA), your money will be invested in a single fund – the Unitised With-Profits fund. A mixed managed fund from Scottish Friendly where premiums are pooled with those of other clients and returns are linked to the performance of the underlying assets within the fund. Remember the value of investments can go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you’ve paid in. If you cash in before the end of 5 years there will be a £50 deduction from your cash-in value.
- Fund Choice: Choose your risk profile and have it matched to an investment portfolio expertly built and managed.
- Invest From: £1,500
Why we like it: Answer questions about your goals, financial situation and attitude to risk, and Moneyfarm will recommend the right ISA portfolio for you, built and managed by experts to help your money grow. You’ll always be invested in a portfolio that’s suitable for you, and you can manage this through the Advice Centre. See what you’re invested in, how you’re performing and how much you’re paying anywhere and any time with the Moneyfarm app. Add money to your ISA by setting up a direct debit, investing a lump-sum, or by transferring old ISAs for free. Capital at risk.
- Trade From (frequent trader rate): £3.00
- Trade From (standard trader rate): £8.00
Good to know: Pay zero commission on US share trades, and just £3 on UK share trades, when you trade three or more times a month with IG. No admin or transfer fees. Custody fee of £24 per quarter, charged if you hold share dealing or ISA assets at the end of the quarter. Capital at risk. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider
- Fund Choice: Choose from over 4,000 investment options, including one of the widest fund ranges in the UK. With online guidance tools and expert fund ideas to help you choose
- Invest From: £25 pm
Why we like it: This award-winning ISA has an extensive range of investment options, including thousands of funds and shares, plus a guidance service to help you find investment ideas. There is a low service fee (typically 0.35%), easy online application process and apps to manage your money on the move. Additional charges apply depending on your choice of investments. Plus, everything is backed by Fidelity’s 50 years of investment experience. Boring Money Best Buy ISA 2023
Who are Principality Building Society?
Principality Building Society are the largest building society in Wales.
The building society’s history dates back to 1860, and today they provide customers with a range of financial services online, by phone, by post and in branch.
Their financial products include mortgages, savings accounts and insurance products. They offer a variety of Cash ISA accounts within their savings accounts range which provide investors with a tax-efficient way to save.
What is an ISA account?
An ISA is a type of tax-free savings account available to investors in the UK.
You are allowed to save up to £20,000 in ISAs in the current tax year, and all of your investment profits are 100% free from tax.
Your ISA allowance refreshes each year so you can keep topping up over time, and your savings are always sheltered from the following taxes:
Income tax – in an ISA, you don’t pay income tax on interest or dividends.
Capital gains tax – in an ISA, you don’t pay capital gains tax on the growth of your investments.
What are the different types of ISA accounts?
The main two types of ISA accounts are Cash ISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs.
Cash ISAs are solely for cash savings that earn interest, whereas Stocks and Shares ISAs invest in the stock market.
Cash ISA Basics
- Earn an interest rate on your cash savings
- Either fixed or variable interest rates are available depending on how much access you have for withdrawals
- Cash ISA savings cannot go down in value
- You could be charged for withdrawing if you take money out before the end of a fixed term ISA
Stocks and Shares ISA Basics
- Invest in the stock market through funds, shares, ready-made portfolios and other investment types
- Build a portfolio yourself or invest in a professionally managed portfolio
- Your investments can go up and down in value, so you could lose money
- You pay annual charges to any fund managers you invest with, along with to your Stocks and Shares ISA provider
- Potential for higher returns compared to Cash ISA savings, but you can also lose money
What type of ISA is a Principality ISA?
Principality do not currently offer a Stocks and Shares ISA but do provide a range of Cash ISAs to choose from.
Each Cash ISA varies based on the interest rate they provide, whether you’re allowed to access your account for withdrawals, and how much you need to invest to open the account.
The two main types of Cash ISAs are Fixed-rate ISAs and Variable-rate ISAs (also known as instant-access ISAs).
Principality’s fixed-rate Cash ISAs:
- The longer the fixed term you commit to, the better ISA rates you’ll get
- You can open an account with a minimum deposit of £500, or by transferring in an existing ISA
- You lose a portion of your interest if you take money out before the end of the fixed term
Principality’s variable-rate Cash ISAs:
- Generally lower interest rates compared to fixed-rate ISAs
- You have greater access for withdrawals, though this may still be capped at certain amounts
- You can open an account with a minimum deposit of £1
Can I transfer my existing ISA into a Principality Building Society ISA?
Instead of making a cash deposit to open your ISA, you can also transfer your existing ISAs into a Principality ISA to start investing.
ISA Transfer Key Points:
- ISA transfers don’t count towards your annual allowance, so you can transfer as much as you like and also add up to £20,000 of new money
- Make sure to check with your current ISA provider whether you’ll be charged a fee for transferring away
- To transfer your ISA, complete an ISA transfer form with Principality Building Society
- Principality will complete your ISA transfer for you and you will be notified when it goes through
You must complete your ISA transfer using the above steps instead of just withdrawing your current ISA yourself and adding the money to your new account.
If you don’t use an ISA transfer form, when you add the money to your new ISA it will be classed as a normal contribution, so you’ll lose that portion of your annual ISA allowance.
How do I open a Principality Building Society ISA?
The quickest way to open a Principality ISA is online, but you can also open an account in your local Principality branch if you’d prefer.
You must be:
- At least 16 years old
- A UK resident
You also must not have opened another Cash ISA with any other provider in the current tax year as per the standard ISA rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I committed to one ISA provider forever?
No. You can switch providers with an ISA transfer if you wish. You can also contribute to other ISA providers in separate tax years.
Are ISA accounts safe?
ISA accounts are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that all ISA providers are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for up to £85,000 if they go out of business.
Please note that this may not apply to the underlying holdings within a Stocks and Shares ISA, and will not cover standard investment losses.
Can I lose money in an ISA?
You can lose money in a Stocks and Shares ISA if your investments go down in value. You cannot lose money with a Cash ISA.
Can I withdraw money from an ISA?
For Cash or Stocks and Shares ISAs, yes, although some Cash ISAs may charge a fee or void your interest if you surrender your policy before the fixed term has ended.
How do I withdraw money from a Stocks and Shares ISA?
You can do this online, via a mobile app, on the telephone or with postal instruction. You will need to sell any relevant holdings first and then withdraw the proceeds.
How do I withdraw money from my ISA?
Most providers will allow you to withdraw from your ISA online, via a mobile app, telephone, or by written instruction in the post.
How long does it take to withdraw from an ISA?
Most ISA withdrawals will complete in approximately five working days, but they could take longer depending on the assets you need to sell.
How much can I contribute to an ISA?
The annual ISA allowance is set by HMRC each year, and the current limit is £20,000 per person for the 2023/24 tax year.
When does the ISA tax year run to?
The annual ISA allowance runs in line with the normal tax year, which is 6th April to 5th April the following year. Your ISA allowance will refresh on 6th April each year.
Will I be charged for an ISA?
A Stocks and Shares ISA provider will charge an ongoing, annual platform fee as well as some ad hoc charges.
A Cash ISA could also charge if you withdraw money before the end of a fixed-term investment.