investments

building for the future

You can't see the future, but a trust fund could make it look rosier.

The future's a tricky business. Fifty years ago, you would have got pretty good odds that we'd be living on Mars by now. So it's impossible to say what kind of world your children will be living in - but there are ways to plan ahead for their financial benefit.

A Child Trust Fund is an investment scheme for all children born since 1 September 2002. The Government will send a voucher with a value of at least £250 to all children born since this date. This money is to be invested on behalf of the child, and will remain invested until the child reaches the age of 18. At the age of 18 they will have access to this money, without any liability for income or capital gains tax.

Family and friends can boost the value of the investment by contributing up to a total of £1,200 extra per year, by regular payments or lump sums - say, for example, on birthdays or at Christmas. Each year a statement will be sent out showing the value of the investment and providing details of all contributions made in that year.

The Child Trust Fund is an investment vehicle, and since the value of investments may go down as well as up, the child may not get back the full amount of any additional contributions.

If you decide to invest through this website you will be doing so without receiving any investment advice. first direct does not give advice on the suitability of the HSBC Child Trust Fund. If you have any doubts about the suitability of this investment you should seek advice from a qualified financial adviser.

See Simplified Prospectus and full terms and conditions for details.