26 Feb 2008: Barclays Stockbrokers Launches Investment ISA to cater for all Investors this ISA Season

Barclays Stockbrokers today launches its 2008 ISA offering - the ‘Investment ISA’ - which has been designed to cater for the differing needs, risk profiles and objectives of investors. With research showing that the market uncertainty has led to one in three investors (30 per cent)* unsure as to what they should house within their ISA this year, the Investment ISA gives investors the ability to access a number of asset classes with differing risk levels and ensure they are looking to make the most of the tax free allowance.

Investors have the ability to trade in a wide range of investments including funds, Investment Notes, equities, iShares and REITS within the Investment ISA. Investors can also take advantage of flexible order types when trading, including ‘At Best’, ‘Stop Orders’ and Barclays Stockbrokers award-winning ‘Trailing Stop Order’ service.

Barclays Stockbrokers offers ISA investors attractive commission rates from as little as £6.95 per online trade when trading eleven or more times per calendar month; and the most an investor will ever pay online is £12. Investors will also be able to take advantage of Barclays Stockbrokers new administration charges which will see investors opening a new ISA account incurring a flat administration fee which is tiered according to the amount held:

• For balances of up to £7,500 a charge of £302 per year will be made (compared to the old1 charge of £35)1.
• For balances over £7,500 a charge of £50 per year will be made (compared to the previous charge of 0.5% up to a value of £120) 3

From 6th April, new updated charges will come into effect for all ISA accounts (including those which are currently PEP) the 2008 / 2009 tax year. Furthermore, any Barclays Stockbrokers Funds Market investments will be discounted when calculating the annual administration charges.

Amy Nauiokas, MD and Head of Barclays Stockbrokers, said: “It is little surprise that given recent market activity many investors are unsure as to how they should invest their ISA allowance this year. ISAs are an important possible tax-efficient addition to any investment portfolio and investors shouldn’t be derailed by spells of market volatility. If people are going to invest in the stock market then they should be investing for the long term so ups and downs in the markets shouldn’t affect their long term goals. Even if investors are nervous of the markets they shouldn’t miss out and lose this tax-efficient allowance for this year. Savvy investors should also look to other products such as SIPPs to ensure they maximise their investments and make their tax-free allowance work for them.”

Barclays Stockbrokers also offers a Managed ISA, with experienced portfolio managers able to create a diversified portfolio for investors, designed to achieve growth in income and capital over the medium to long term.

With a Barclays Stockbrokers SIPP investors have the freedom to choose which investment products to include in their pension. equities, Funds, Investment Notes, ETFs, REITs and Cash are among the options. Barclays Stockbrokers SIPPs are also low cost; there is no set up fees and competitive commission rates are from as little as £6.95 per online trade (when you trade eleven or more times per calendar month) - the most an investor will ever pay online is £12.

The benefits of a particular tax treatment depend on the individual investor’s circumstances; tax rules can change.

For further information contact:

Caroline Wells / Nicola Hankey PR, Barclays Wealth 020 7114 7435 / 020 7114 9813

OR

Chantal Heckford / Katie Hayward / Katherine Hobby Lansons Communications 020 7294 3630 / 020 7294 3631 / 020 7566 9704 chantalh@lansons.com / katieh@lansons.com / katherineh@lansons.com