Isa providers gear up for last-minute rush
Hargreaves Lansdown, Fidelity, Axa, Ascentric and Halifax are among the providers accepting Isa applications right up until the last minute.
Some providers are also open for pension queries only, in anticipation of interest following pension freedom legislation, on Easter Monday, 6 April.
FundsNetwork has said its call centres will be open on 6 April for queries about pension freedoms, and it will be providing 13 nationwide drop-off points for advisers on Thursday 2 April to accept clients’ applications and cheques and/or cheque payment slips in person for pensions and Isas.
Hargreaves Lansdown is warning investors to have to hand their NI number, debit card and a note of contributions they have made to other Isa or pensions in the 2014/15 tax year.
Investors should also be prepared for further anti-money-laundering checks and need for further proof during the application process.
Last year HL opened 111 Isa accounts between 11pm and 12am on 5 April 2014. The Bristol-based IFA said it would be open 8am to 10pm on Thursday and Friday this week, and then on Saturday 9am to 10pm, and then from 9am to midnight on Sunday.
It would also be open 10am to 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday to take pension queries.
Axa Self Investor has extended opening hours over the Easter. The online-based provider said individuals can invest until 11.55pm on 5 April – the time by which debit card details will need to have been submitted.
Adviser view
Lee Goggin, co-founder of Findawealthmanager.com, said: “There is always a scramble for people to use up their Isa allowances as the end of the tax year approaches. But that should not mean rushing in panic for a poor retail offering.”
