HALIFAX, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 02/27/13 — A year ago Halifax injected a dose of competition into the kids- tax-free savings market and has since established itself as a (JISA).
Launched on 13 February 2012, the Halifax JISA offers a competitive 3% AER variable rate. However, the account also presented a fresh challenge to the market by boosting its variable rate to an unrivalled 6% AER when the person with parental responsibility for the child also has their
This -relationship rate-, which is still offered by Halifax, is acknowledged as a significant factor of the account-s success. The majority of Halifax JISA customers benefit from the 6% rate and it has retained a consistent -Best Buy- status since launch as a result.
Richard Fearon, head of , explains, “Our Junior Cash ISAs is a clear demonstration that there is the opportunity for innovation in children-s savings. It encourages a positive savings habit from an early age and allows children to learn that habit from their parents when they save tax free with us too.”
Those that take advantage of the , at the 6% rate, from birth to the age of 18, would have a tax free savings pot of GBP 117,936(i) when the product matures into an adult ISA. This is GBP 31,115 more than an account paying 3% AER.
Age of Halifax Junior Cash ISAs customers
By age group, 0-3 year olds make up the greatest proportion of Halifax-s JISA customers, accounting for over a third (36%) of all accounts that have opened in the last 12 months. 13-15 year olds are the second largest group (29%), while 10-12 year olds are the third largest (19%) group of account holders. This age group split is explained partly by the fact those born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 are not eligible for JISAs.
Average Balance of Junior Cash ISAs
The average Halifax JISA balance increases with age, which indicates parents and children are moving kids- savings balances held in other accounts to maximise the benefits of the rate and the tax free status. While the average overall balance of a JISA stands at GBP 1,974, 16-17 year olds have an average balance of GBP 2,949, while for 0-3 year olds this is GBP 779.
PRODUCT DETAILS
NOTES TO EDITORS
(i)Assumes the deposits are made at start of year i.e. Year 0 would mean a deposit of GBP 3,600 on the birth of the child with a total 18 deposits, the last one being on their 17th birthday. Final Balance is at end of Year 17. Assumes interest is credited at the end of the year.
Contacts:
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