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Cash interest explained |
You will receive interest on balances in your platform cash account at the prevailing rate.
Embark Investment Services Limited acts as the custodian for investments on the Willis Owen platform and is one of our strategic partners that provides our Willis Owen ISA, GIA, Junior ISA and SIPP.
Embark places cash with a number of banking partners for safekeeping and to provide the potential for you to earn interest on money in your platform cash account. By managing cash in this way, it aims to provide better protection and a higher overall level of interest than if all funds were placed with a single bank.
The rates of interest paid by banks will vary. Embark retains a portion of the interest earned to cover its costs in managing platform cash.
Current Interest Rate
The table below shows the current customer interest rate payable on cash balances along with the amount of interest retained by Embark. The customer interest rate shown is that after accounting for interest retained by Embark:
| Date From | Customer Interest Rate | Interest retained by Embark |
|---|---|---|
| 25th November 2024 | 2.3% | 1.75% - 2.00% |
Embark can change the rate of interest at any time and it reviews the position at least quarterly. Interest is calculated and accrued daily and is credited to your account on the first of each month. If you transfer out, accrued interest is applied at the point of transfer. We will inform you if and when the interest rate changes as soon as is practicable.
Interest retained
The table below shows the yearly equivalent rates of interest Embark expects to pay based on a range of possible yearly interest rates it may earn.
| Interest Embark expects to earn | Customer Interest Rate | Interest retained by Embark |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1% | 0 – 0.46% | 0 – 0.54% |
| 1-2% | 0.46% – 0.94% | 0.54% – 1.06% |
| 2-3% | 0.94% – 1.46% | 1.06% – 1.54% |
| 3-4% | 1.46% – 2.02% | 1.54% – 1.98% |
| 4-5% | 2.02% – 2.61% | 1.98% – 2.39% |
| 5%+ | 2.61%+ | 2.39%+ |
Historic Interest Rates
To see details of historic customer interest rates, along with the amount of interest retained by Embark, click here.
Equity Styles Explained |
Market capitalisation is an indication of the size of the companies being invested in. It is calculated by multiplying the number of shares issued by the company by the current share price. Market capitalisation is divided into ‘large’, ‘medium’ or ‘small’ according to the below:
Large – Companies that have a market capitalisation greater than $10 billion.
Medium – Companies that have a market capitalisation between $2 billion and $10 billion.
Small – Companies that have a market capitalisation below $2 billion.
Companies can be categorised as ‘value’, ‘blend’ or ‘growth’ as defined below:
Value – Companies that are considered to be trading at a share price below what their fundamentals would suggest.
Blend – Companies that do not exhibit solely value or growth characteristics.
Growth – Typically well-established companies which are considered to have above average prospects for long-term growth.
Equity Regions Explained |
Equity region indicates in which countries the underlying shares within your portfolio are listed.
USA – Companies listed on a stock market in the USA.Canada – Companies listed on a stock market in Canada.
Latin America – Companies listed on stock markets in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.
United Kingdom – Companies listed on a stock market in the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey.
Eurozone – Companies listed on stock markets in countries which have the Euro as their official currency, such as France, Germany and Spain.
Europe ex Eurozone – Companies listed on stock markets in western European countries which do not have the Euro as their official currency, such as Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.
Europe Emerging – Companies listed on stock markets in European emerging markets, such as Poland, Russia and Turkey.
Africa – Companies listed on stock markets in African countries, such as Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.
Middle East – Companies listed on stock markets in Middle Eastern countries, such as Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Japan – Companies listed on a stock market in Japan.
Australasia – Companies listed on stock markets in Australia and New Zealand.
Asia Developed – Companies listed on stock markets in developed Asian countries, such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
Asia Emerging – Companies listed on stock markets in emerging Asian countries, such as China, India and Thailand.
Equity Sectors Explained |
Cyclical – Companies which operate in industries that are considered to be significantly affected by economic shifts. When the economy is prosperous, these industries tend to expand and when the economy is in a downturn they tend to shrink.
Basic Materials - Companies that manufacture chemicals, building materials and paper products. This sector also includes companies engaged in commodities exploration and processing.
Consumer Cyclical - This sector includes retail stores, auto and auto-parts manufacturers, restaurants, lodging facilities, specialty retail and travel companies.
Financial Services - Companies that provide financial services include banks, savings and loans, asset management companies, credit services, investment brokerage firms and insurance companies.
Real Estate - This sector includes companies that develop, acquire, manage and operate real estate properties.
Sensitive – Companies that operate in industries that ebb and flow with the overall economy, but not severely. Sensitive industries fall between defensive and cyclical, as they are not immune to a poor economy, but they also may not be as severely affected as cyclicals.
Communication Services - Companies that provide communication services using fixed-line networks or those that provide wireless access and services. Also includes companies that provide advertising & marketing services, entertainment content and services, as well as interactive media and content provider over internet or through software.
Energy - Companies that produce or refine oil and gas, oilfield-services and equipment companies and pipeline operators. This sector also includes companies that mine thermal coal and Uranium.
Industrials - Companies that manufacture machinery, hand-held tools and industrial products. This sector also includes aerospace and defence firms as well as companies engaged in transportation services.
Technology - Companies engaged in the design, development and support of computer operating systems and applications. This sector also includes companies that make computer equipment, data storage products, networking products, semiconductors and components.
Defensive – Companies which operate in industries that are relatively immune from economic shifts. These industries provide services that consumers require in both good and bad times.
Consumer Defensive – Companies that manufacture food, beverages, household and personal products, packaging, or tobacco. Also includes companies that provide services such as education and training services.
Healthcare – This sector includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research services, home healthcare, hospitals, long-term-care facilities and medical equipment and supplies. Also includes pharmaceutical retailers and companies which provide health information services.
Utilities - Electric, gas and water utilities.
Product Involvement Explained |
Product Involvement metrics measure the percentage of a portfolio's assets exposed to a range of business areas and activities. For example, if a fund's involvement in Animal Testing is 20%, that means 20% of the fund's assets are invested in companies involved in Animal Testing.
Exposure percentages are calculated by summing the weights of a portfolio’s holdings in the companies involved in each area. In most cases a company is considered ‘involved’ in a certain area if it's revenue from that area exceeds a certain minimum threshold. In other areas, for example animal testing, abortion, contraceptives and human embryonic stem cell research, there is no revenue threshold such that if the company has any involvement at all in these areas, it will be considered involved. If a company is considered involved in an area, the entire weight of that company in a portfolio is counted when determining the overall percentages shown.
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ESG Pillars Explained |
Morningstar's ESG Pillar Scores help investors understand how a fund is performing in three key areas: Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G). These scores break down the overall sustainability risk of a portfolio into these specific categories.
Each score reflects how much environmental, social, and governance factors contribute to the overall risk of companies in the fund. The scores are averaged based on the size of each company in the portfolio. Lower scores mean lower risk.
To receive these scores, at least 67% of the fund’s assets must be rated for their ESG risk. This provides investors with a clearer view of a fund’s exposure to sustainability risks in different areas.
Asset Allocation Explained |
Equity – Often referred to as shares. Shares are units of ownership in a company which entitle the holder to certain rights for example to exercise voting rights or to participate in the company’s profits.
Fixed Income – Often referred to as fixed interest or bonds. When you invest in bonds, you are typically lending money to a company or a government in return for a defined series of interest payments and the promise that a defined value (called the ‘face’ or ‘par’ value) will be returned at a certain point in time
Property – Investments in property include residential, offices, warehouses and shopping centres.
Cash – Money held in cash or cash-like instruments, often to ensure there are sufficient liquid assets within a portfolio.
Other – Contains other investments such as commodities, preferred stock and derivatives.
Free Promotion Terms & Conditions |
| 1. | These terms and conditions (“Terms”) apply to this Willis Owen ISA Promotion (“Promotion”). By taking part in the Promotion, you agree to be bound by these terms. It is a condition of participation in the promotion that all Terms are accepted as final. |
| 2. | This promotion is organised by Willis Owen Ltd of Suite 37, Catalyst House, 720 Centennial Court, Centennial Park, Elstree, WD6 3SY. |
| 3. | This Promotion runs during the period from inclusive ("Promotional period"). |
| 4. |
“Eligible Participants” are those participants who, having satisfied all eligibility criteria to do so, use the link within the email inviting them to participate in the Promotion to successfully register for one of the following products or services (“Eligible Products”) via the Willis Owen website, during the Promotional Period:
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| 5. | Subject to these Terms, Eligible Participants are entitled to receive one complimentary Willis Owen branded (“Free Gift”). |
| 6. | Each Eligible Participant is entitled to receive a maximum of one Free Gift as specified above. Registration for more than one of the Eligible Products will not entitle a participant to more than one Free Gift. |
| 7. | Willis Owen reserves the right to change the specification of the Free Gift from that advertised. There is no cash alternative. |
| 8. | This Promotion is subject to availability. Whilst all reasonable efforts have and will be made to ensure sufficient stocks are available to meet likely demand, Willis Owen may end the Promotion early (or suspend the availability of the Promotion) without notice if, in the opinion of Willis Owen, there is not sufficient stock to continue operating the Promotion. |
| 9. | Willis Owen will not be held responsible for the failure to fulfil the obligations of third parties involved in this Promotion, although it will always endeavour to minimise the effect to the participants of any such failure. |
| 10. | Willis Owen reserves the right to cancel the Promotion or amend the Terms without notice in the event there is any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside Willis Owen’s reasonable control. |
| 11. | Willis Owen will bear the full cost of packaging and postage of the Free Gift to the participant’s registered address in the United Kingdom. Willis Owen will use its best endeavours to dispatch the Free Gift promptly upon confirmation of successful registration as set out in 4 above and will aim to do so within 28 days of the date of registration for an Eligible Product. |
| 12. | Willis Owen accepts no responsibility for non-receipt of the Free Gift once it has been dispatched or damage during transit. |
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Tax-free income and gains |
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Get started with as little as a £25 contribution |
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A wide range of funds, shares, investment trusts and ETFs |
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View your portfolio 24/7 on our easy to use and secure platform |
A stocks & shares Individual Savings Account (ISA) provides a flexible way of investing up to £20,000 per year (2024/25). You don’t pay income or capital gains tax on any money your investments make and can choose from a wide range of funds, shares, investment trusts and exchange traded funds.
| | You want tax-free income and capital gains. |
| | You're comfortable with the risk involved. |
| | You're over 18 and a UK resident (for under 18's, see Junior ISAs). |
| | You need your money in the short term. |
| | You’ve used up your ISA allowance already. |
| | You’re uneasy with any market volatility. |
A ‘flexible’ ISA means you can take out cash, then put it back in during the same tax year without reducing your current year’s allowance. For example, your allowance is £20,000 and you contribute £5,000 and withdraw £4,000 in the same tax year, you can contribute a further £19,000.
At Willis Owen we offer a flexible ISA, but not all providers do, so it is worth checking before you open an account with anyone else, if you think it is a feature you might make use of.
You can start investing from as little as £25, either as a lump sum or regularly. There's a limit on how much money you can pay into ISAs every year. For the 2024/25 tax year, the ISA allowance is £20,000 and this is shared across all ISAs you pay into during the year (including cash ISAs).
The Willis Owen ISA offers you choice, whether you’re new to investing or more seasoned, preferring to explore our powerful research tools and broader functionality.
Simple risk-based options, leaving day-to-day investment decisions to a professional.
Our list of expertly researched, high-quality funds we think represent good value.
Build your own portfolio from thousands of funds, ETFs, investment trusts and shares.
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Tax free income and gains |
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Get started with as little as a £25 contribution |
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A wide range of funds, shares, investment trusts and ETFs |
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It's a flexible ISA |
When investing, you will incur a Willis Owen service fee along with investment charges. Additional fees such as trade fees and government levies may apply for specialist investments like shares, investment trusts, and exchange-traded funds. Details of all costs, including VAT where applicable, can be found below. Our tariff excludes certain fees charged by other firms, meaning you won't incur these charges with us.
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Select your investments before opening an account
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Our ready-made investments are designed for novice investors
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Or go the DIY route, choosing from our full suite of investments
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Mix and match to build the portfolio that suits your goals
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Open your ISA and then choose your investments after
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Benefit from tax free income and capital gains
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Get started with as little as a £25 contribution
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Access to a range of funds, shares, investment trusts and ETFs
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We don't charge a transfer fee but other providers may
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There's no minimum ISA transfer amount
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Transferring your ISA does not impact your ISA allowance
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You can transfer cash ISA monies to our stocks and shares ISA
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Easy to navigate and excellent telephone support!
Thank you for being understanding and very patient with me.
