Stocks and Shares ISA

Learn more about Stocks and Shares ISAs

• Who can open a Stocks and Shares ISA?

  You can open a Stocks and Shares ISA if you’re over the age of 18 and UK resident for tax purposes. You should also be:

  • Comfortable choosing your own investments in an ISA
  • Confident making long-term investment decisions
  • Free from significant debt (other than a mortgage)
  • Clear on our charges

  Investments fall as well as rise in value, so you could get back less than you put in. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please ask us about financial advice.

• How do I log in to my Stocks and Shares ISA?

  Logging in online means you can look after your accounts and trade from your computer, tablet or smartphone. Here’s how to log in.

  Before you start

  You will need your Username, date of birth, Online Password and Secure Number to log in. If you have not set these up yet, you can register for online access.

  How to log in on the website

  1. Select 'Log in' in the top right-hand corner of the website
  2. Enter your Username in the first box. Your Username will usually be a combination of letters and numbers that you created
  3. Enter your date of birth using the format ddmmyy. For example, if you were born on 1 January 1970, enter 010170 without spaces, commas or other characters
  4. Select ‘Continue’
  5. Enter your Online Password. This is a combination of letters and numbers that you’ve created, and contains at least 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter and potentially a special character
  6. You will be asked for 3 randomly selected digits from your Secure Number. Your Secure Number is 6 digits that you chose when you set up your security details. Enter these in the correct boxes
  7. Select ‘Log in’
  8. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, we will also send a verification code to your preferred phone number by SMS or call back each time you log in. Enter this code into the box in full and select ‘Log in’

  Log in online

  How to log in on the app

  1. Select ‘Accounts’ in the bottom left corner
  2. If it is your first time logging in, or if you have not saved your details or set up biometric authentication, you will first need to enter your Username. Your Username is usually a combination of letters and numbers that you created
  3. Enter your date of birth using the format ddmmyy. For example, if you were born on 1 January 1970, enter 010170 without spaces, commas or other characters
  4. Select ‘Save my username and date of birth’ if you want to speed up the process in future, then select ‘Continue’
  5. Enter your Online Password. This is a combination of letters and numbers that you created, and contains at least 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter and potentially a special character
  6. Select ‘Continue’
  7. You will be asked for 3 randomly selected digits from your Secure Number. Your Secure Number is 6 digits that you chose when you set up your security details. Enter these in the correct boxes
  8. Select ‘Continue’
  9. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, we may also send a verification code to your preferred phone number by SMS or call back. Enter this code in full and select ‘Log in’
  10. You may be asked if you want to set up biometric authentication, either with your fingerprint or facial recognition (depending on the device you’re using). If you do not want to do this, select ‘Not now’

• How do I add money to a Stocks and Shares ISA?

  Adding money to your HL accounts gives you more to invest and is usually quickest online. Here's how to add money to a Stocks and Shares ISA.

  Before you start

  • Make sure you have enough of your ISA allowance left in the current tax year before you add money to your account.
  • The debit card you use should be in the same name as the HL account holder, and registered to your home address.

  How to add money on the website

  1. Log in online to see your accounts
  2. From the list of actions, select 'Top up' next to your chosen account
  3. Read the Key Features before going any further
  4. Enter the amount of money you want to add
  5. Enter the 16-digit number across the middle of your debit card
  6. Enter your card's expiry date in the format MM/YY
  7. Enter the CVC number. This is the last 3 digits on the back of the card
  8. Select 'Make payment' to confirm

  How to add money on the mobile app

  1. Select 'Accounts' in the bottom left corner
  2. Log in using the verification method you have set up
  3. Select the account you want to add money to
  4. Select 'Action' then select 'Add money'
  5. Read the important information shown
  6. Enter the amount you want to add then select 'Continue'
  7. Enter the details of the debit card you want to use
  8. Select 'Make payment' to confirm

  What happens next

  Your 'amount available to invest' will update as soon as the payment is authorised, although the money may not leave your bank account until a few days later.

  You will be able to trade as soon as you have added money.

  Adding money timings

  If you've added money to your account by debit card, you'll want to understand how long it takes before you can invest it. Here's what you need to know.

  Money reaches your HL account: Immediately

  When you can trade : Immediately

  The 'amount available to invest' for your chosen account will update as soon as your debit card payment is authorised.

  Then you can trade straightaway. It may take 1-2 working days for the money to leave your bank account.

  Your HL account may also show a negative balance if you trade before this happens.

  If you see a negative balance after adding money

  A negative balance is normal after you've added money. It will update soon as the money arrives in your HL account.

• How to withdraw money from a Stocks and Shares ISA?

  Stocks and Shares ISAs are designed for long-term investing – we usually suggest a horizon of at least five years.

  But there are times you might want to withdraw money from your ISA, and you can do this at any time. If you’re selling investments first, the trade will need to settle before you can withdraw cash. This usually takes about two working days for shares and four for funds.

  With the HL Stocks and Shares ISA, there's no charge for withdrawing money. Though there might be charges for selling some investments, depending on what you hold.

  Just remember that if you take money out of your HL Stocks and Shares ISA, you’ll lose that portion of your ISA allowance.

  If you need to withdraw money from your HL accounts, it's usually quickest online. Here's how to withdraw from a Stocks and Shares ISA.

  Before you start

  You need to have set up a nominated bank account before you try and withdraw money from your account.

  How do I withdraw money on the website

  1. Log in online to see your accounts
  2. Select the account you want to withdraw from
  3. Select 'Withdraw money' from the tabs
  4. Read the ISA withdrawal warning. If you understand you won't be able to pay this money back into your ISA without using part of your ISA allowance, select 'Yes, I understand the implications'
  5. Select 'Continue'
  6. Enter the amount you want to withdraw then select 'Next'
  7. Check the amount you're withdrawing and that you're happy with the terms and conditions
  8. Select 'Confirm payment' to confirm

  How to withdraw money on the mobile app

  1. Select 'Accounts' in the bottom left corner
  2. Log in using the verification method you have set up
  3. Select the account you want to withdraw from
  4. Select 'Action' then select 'Withdraw money'
  5. Select 'Cash on my account' to withdraw money you have uninvested
  6. Read the ISA withdrawal warning. If you understand you will not be able to pay this money back into your ISA without using part of your ISA allowance, select 'OK'
  7. Enter the amount you want to withdraw then select 'Continue'
  8. Check the amount you're withdrawing is correct
  9. Select 'Place withdrawal' to confirm

  What happens next

  Depending on when you withdraw it, the money will usually reach your nominated bank account either later that day, or the next working day.

  Withdrawal timings

  How long the money takes to reach your bank account will depend on when you withdraw and the account you've withdrawn from. Here's what you need to know.

  Withdrawal made before noon on a working day: Same day

  Withdrawal made after noon, or on non-working day: Next working day

  Payments are usually made by Faster Payment, which is free of charge.

  If you've recently added money to your account, we may need to refund your debit card instead of paying to your nominated bank account.

  This is for anti-money laundering regulations and can take 3-5 working days.

• Can you invest in a Stocks and Shares ISA via Direct Debit

  Yes, it’s possible to set up a monthly Direct Debit from £25 a month.

  To set this up:

  1. Log in to your account and choose the account in which you'd like to set up a Direct Debit
  2. Click 'Monthly Savings'
  3. You'll need your bank details to hand

  Direct Debits are taken on the 7th of the month and any investment instructions placed on the 10th of the month (or the next working day).

  Find out more about investing by direct debit

• How can I reset my login details?

  If you know your login details and want to change them, you can do this online in just a few steps. Here's how to do it.

  Before you start

  • Have your Username, current Online Password and Secure Number to hand. If you've forgotten them, you can reset them online.
  • It is not possible to change your Username online. If you think someone else might have access to your Username, please call us on 0117 980 9984.

  How to change login details on the website

  1. Log in online to see your accounts
  2. Select 'Account Settings' from the tab list of options
  3. Select 'Passwords and timeout preference' from the list of options
  4. Select 'Edit details' for 'Online Password and Secure Number'
  5. Choose whether to change your Online Password, Secure Number, or both
  6. Enter your security details and select 'Continue'
  7. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, we will also send a verification code to your preferred phone number by SMS or call back. Enter this code into the box in full and select 'Log in'
  8. Enter your new Online Password and/or Secure Number and select 'Update'

  Change login details

  What happens next

  You will be able to use your new login details as soon as you've updated them.

  These will work when logging in on the website and the mobile app.

• Can I pay into more than one Stocks and Shares ISA?

  Yes, you can.

  You can also spread your £20,000 ISA limit across any combination of Stocks and Shares, Innovative Finance or Cash ISAs. However, you are still only able to pay into one Lifetime ISA each tax year (up to £4,000 per year).

  For example, if you wanted to divide your ISA allowance between cash and investments, you could put £15,000 in a Stocks and Shares ISA and the remaining £5,000 in a Cash ISA.

  On top of the £20,000 ISA allowance, it’s also possible to pay up to £9,000 into a Junior ISA for a child.

• What’s the minimum amount needed to open a Stocks and Shares ISA?
  You can open an HL Stocks and Shares ISA with £100 as a lump sum, or by setting up a Direct Debit from £25 per month.

More Stocks and Shares ISA FAQs