Children's savings accounts?
Children's savings accounts?
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Discussion

InstantSunshine

Original Poster:

433 posts

252 months

Sunday 23rd June 2013
quotequote all
Having very recently become a father for the first time, I am looking at Children's savings accounts and I am wondering where is best to put my money for the long term.

I have noticed the Halifax is offering a fixed 6% savings account which I can pay up to £100 per month into. This appears far better than any other savings accounts I have seen, however, the down side is the money is locked away until the child's 18th birthday. Therefore I understand I am gambling on other types of savings or investments not bettering that interest rate out to 2031. I have also noted its a branch only account, but this doesn't really bother me.

Is there a better place for my money or is this as good as it gets at the moment? Thanks in advance!

Mankers

669 posts

199 months

Sunday 23rd June 2013
quotequote all
Child Investment Trusts, that is where i would be going. You have 18+ years so can afford to take some risk. If you are onshore I would create a trust structure to avoid any capital gains on maturity.

This site is good to help with your selection:

http://www.trustnet.com/Investments/Perf.aspx?ctr=...

F&C have a reasonable selection and are easy to deal with:

http://www.fctr.co.uk/child-saving/savingsplans/ch...

As do Aberdeen:

http://www.invtrusts.co.uk/aam.nsf/InvestmentTrust...

Have a read.

Mankers

669 posts

199 months

Sunday 23rd June 2013
quotequote all
FYI

Aberdeen Asia Smaller Co's have increased by 600% + in the last 10 years (Ticker LON:AAS)

F&C Global Smaller Co's have increased by 350% + in the last 10 years (Ticker (LON:FCS)

greggers

208 posts

228 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
Where does it say the money is locked away until the child's 18th?

http://www.halifax.co.uk/savings/accounts/branch-a...

"After 12 months your Kids' Regular Saver account will become a variable rate easy access account that we offer at the time. We'll write to you before the 12 months are up to remind you."

12TS

2,253 posts

240 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
IIRC Halifax do 2 accounts - the Regular Saver and the Junior ISA.

What the OP is describing sounds like the ISA. To qualify for the 6% rate you'll need to have an ISA with the Halifax. The rate could get changed at some point, but it's been 6% since launch.

One other point at 18 when the account matures the money then becomes the childs...

InstantSunshine

Original Poster:

433 posts

252 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
greggers said:
Where does it say the money is locked away until the child's 18th?

http://www.halifax.co.uk/savings/accounts/branch-a...

"After 12 months your Kids' Regular Saver account will become a variable rate easy access account that we offer at the time. We'll write to you before the 12 months are up to remind you."
hmmm - why didn't I spot that yesterday?!

InstantSunshine

Original Poster:

433 posts

252 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
Mankers said:
Good stuff
Thanks for that Mankers, I like the look of those investment funds. Time for me to do a little reading.

InstantSunshine

Original Poster:

433 posts

252 months

Monday 24th June 2013
quotequote all
12TS said:
IIRC Halifax do 2 accounts - the Regular Saver and the Junior ISA.

What the OP is describing sounds like the ISA. To qualify for the 6% rate you'll need to have an ISA with the Halifax. The rate could get changed at some point, but it's been 6% since launch.

One other point at 18 when the account matures the money then becomes the childs...
I spotted that one as well - I must have merged the details from both in my mind. I do have a cash ISA with the Halifax so am entitled to the higher rate however my natural cynicism leads to me to believe the rate is eventually going to be comparable with my current ISA i.e. woeful (Something I am in the process of rectifying).

Kudos

2,674 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
InstantSunshine said:
Thanks for that Mankers, I like the look of those investment funds. Time for me to do a little reading.
Historical performance is no guarantee for the future!

Mankers

669 posts

199 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
quotequote all
Kudos said:
InstantSunshine said:
Thanks for that Mankers, I like the look of those investment funds. Time for me to do a little reading.
Historical performance is no guarantee for the future!
Agreed, but with an 18 year time horizon you can afford to take on a little more risk than just holding cash. Don't forget with monthly investment funds the effect of pound cost averaging will help to smooth returns, and holding back cash lump sums to 'over subscribe' in the dips. You invests your money and you takes your choice laugh