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Our ISA Guide
In this section our ISA Guide introduces you to ISAs and provides information on how they work, what to look for and how to make the most of your allowance.
WHAT ARE ISAs?
ISA stands for Individual Savings Account. These were launched by the Government in April 1999 to encourage people to save and invest. They are designed to help the value of your money grow over time and/or provide an income.
There are two types of ISA, a cash ISA and a Stocks and Shares ISA. The maximum amount you can pay into an ISA depends on your age. See the tables below to see how your allowance could be used across a cash ISA and stocks and shares ISA.
ISA limits for anyone who will be 50 or over by 5th April 2010
| Cash ISA | Stocks and Shares ISA | Total ISA Allowance |
| £1,200 | £9,000 | £10,200 |
| £3,000 | £7,200 | £10,200 |
| £5,100 (max) | £5,100 | £10,200 |
| £0 | £10,200 (max) | £10,200 |
ISA limits for all other eligible ISA customers
| Cash ISA | Stocks and Shares ISA | Total ISA Allowance |
| £1,200 | £6,000 | £7,200 |
| £3,000 | £4,200 | £7,200 |
| £3,600 (max) | £3,600 | £7,200 |
| £0 | £7,200 (max) | £7,200 |
Learn more about current ISA limits and rules.
Stocks and Shares ISAs
Investing in the stock market may seem intimidating but our ISA Investor is an easy and tax-efficient way to invest. It offers the potential for stock market growth, the ability to select your own funds, no upfront charges and just a yearly competitive management charge.
The ISA Investor lets you choose one of our portfolios or select your own funds. With the ISA Investor UK FTSE 100 Index Tracking Fund your money is invested in companies in the FTSE 100 Index. The ISA Investor Stakeholder option follows government guidelines and invests in the Cautious Managed Fund.
Look at our range of Stocks and Shares ISAs
Cash ISAs
You can invest up to £3,600 in a cash ISA (£5,100 for those aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010) and the rest in a stocks and shares ISA each tax year. There are a variety of different cash ISAs, including easy access, fixed rate and notice account.
Look at our range of cash ISAs
Self-Select Stocks and Shares ISAs
These are similar to our ISA Investor except you can choose any Stocks and Shares you like for your ISA, not just our recommended funds.