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Sharedealing

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Streamlining sharedealing

We've made managing your sharedealing as straightforward as banking online - cutting down on paperwork and speeding up transactions. And if you'd like to test the waters first, you can use our Online Virtual Portfolio to trial your sharedealing strategies and see how they work in a trial environment.

  • competitive online trading charge of £11 for your first nine trades in each calendar quarter - then £9 per trade after that
  • no registration or annual fees
  • buy and sell shares online or by phone
  • comprehensive market and company analysis
  • track shares with our Virtual Portfolio
  • receive alerts when your shares meet your criteria.

The value of investments (and any income received from them) can fall as well as rise and you may not get back what you invested. For some investments this can also happen as a result of exchange rate fluctuations as shares and funds may have an exposure to overseas markets.

If you decide to apply direct, that is without receiving advice, you should understand that we are not required to assess the suitability of these funds for you. Therefore you will not be protected by the FSA's rules on assessing suitability. Please note that first direct does not give investment advice. If in any doubt about the suitability of this investment speak to an independent qualified financial advisor.

Stock market investments should be viewed as a medium to long term investment (for at least 5 years).

The value of the tax advantages depends on individual circumstances, and tax rules may change in future.

 

Sharedealing services at a glance

Sharedealing Services from first direct offer a simpler way to buy and sell shares. It works by keeping your shares in a nominee account, which means we take over their administration, removing most of the paperwork and delays associated with share certificates and allowing speedier settlement. We also provide you with extensive market research tools and comprehensive news and company information to help you make decisions. Alternatively, you can also invest in a first direct Stocks and Shares ISA.

Trading inside first direct Stocks and Shares Individual Savings Account (ISA) will keep your shareholding tax efficient - you decide which shares to buy and sell and any growth is free of capital gains tax. What's more there is no setup charge or annual management fees.

  • transfer shares from other financial institutions and paper certificates into electronic format free of charge to allow trading
  • place instructions to trade when the markets are closed and place limits on your deals to protect against any unfavourable market movements. Instructions placed out of market hours will only be dealt with on the next working day.
  • trade in most UK and Irish equities listed on the London Stock Exchange, UK government securities (gilts) and a range of UK listed Exchange Traded Funds
  • contract notes will be sent electronically directly to your sharedealing account
  • arrange email alerts when any share in your portfolio hits the price you select. You can choose from a price or percentage change, and also create news alerts so you recieve an email when news is released about your chosen share.
  • make the most of your annual tax efficient ISA allowance and trade inside a Stocks and Shares ISA.

The value of the tax advantages depends on individual circumstances and tax rules may change in the future.

You'll find everything you need to know about the day to day running of the service in our more detailed FAQs , but in the meantime, you'll find the essentials to get you started below.

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How do I buy shares?
How do I sell existing shares?

Log into Internet Banking to access your sharedealing account, select the sell tab, enter quantity and proceed or alternatively you can trade by telephone. Higher charges will apply.
What will it cost?

£11 per trade for the first nine trades in a calendar quarter - then £9 per trade after that. Otherwise, there are no registration or annual fees. See our Interest rates and charges PDF full details of all our rates and charges.
How long does it take?

The proceeds of your deals and dividends will be transferred overnight daily (in one transaction) to your nominated first direct account. The money will be taken from your first direct account to pay for any share purchases.

We will settle your equity share deals three working days after the date of the transaction (T+3)and bond trades one working day after (T+1).
How do I know which shares to choose?

Using our research centre will enable you to access an extensive range of powerful tools to help you analyse the market, find companies of interest and make informed decisions. Bear in mind however that the Sharedealing Service is execution only - first direct does not give investment advice.
What is the FTSE?

The "Footsie" is a term usually applied to the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 (or FTSE 100). The FTSE 100 is an index of the leading shares on the London Stock Exchange. The index includes the largest 100 companies listed in London (by value of shares issued) and is used as a general measure (and guide) to stock market performance.
How risky is sharedealing?

Stock market investments should be viewed as a medium to long term investment (for at least 5 years). The value of shares may go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount you originally invested. The value of the tax advantages depends on individual circumstances. Tax rules may change.

 

The first direct Stocks and Shares ISA is provided by HSBC bank plc.

 

A nominee account - shares without the hassle

When you dematerialise your shares (convert your paper shares to electronic shares) we will take over the administration - in what is called a nominee account. This means most of the paperwork and inherent delays which paper share certificates bring will be removed - you won't have to wait for paper certificates to be sent to you when you buy, or send them off when you sell.

Your dematerialised shares will be held in the name of our nominee company and you will no longer appear on the registrars list of shareholders. The shares will be held electronically in your shares account, administered by HSBC Stockbroker Services on your behalf.

We will ensure your dividends are collected and dealt with according to your instructions and you will be able to elect on any corporate actions online. However you will no longer receive correspondence directly from the companies you hold shares in, and you will not recieve the normal rights and benefits associated with individual shareholder status.

 


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How to register for Sharedealing

Already a customer?

Once you have completed the online Sharedealing application, please wait for confirmation that your account is open before sending in any share certificates or applying for a Stocks and Shares ISA.

It normally takes 2-6 weeks to transfer shares into your nominee account.

Register for Sharedealing

Not yet a customer?

To join our Sharedealing Service you will also need to open a first direct 1st Account, our current account.

Learn more about the 1st Account

You can also talk to us on:
0800 24 24 24

Before you apply, please read the following:

Key Features Document

Sharedealing Terms and Conditions

Interest rates and charges

Our downloads are in a PDF format. To read them you'll need to have Adobe Read 4.0™ or above - it's free and you can get Adobe Reader here.

You can find general information about financial products and managing your money on the Money Advice Service ™ website.

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