We are the UK’s number one platform for private investors. For over 40 years, we have helped clients save time, tax and money on their investments. Today we are trusted with more than £120 billion by over 1.7 million clients. We are a secure, FTSE-listed company, headquartered in Bristol, and employing over 2,000 people.
What is Hargreaves Lansdown?
Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK's investment platform, empowers individuals to manage their finances and grow their wealth. It offer a online and mobile app platform for trading stocks, funds, and other assets, while also providing access to ISAs, pensions, and SIPPs for long-term savings goals.
Pros & Cons of Hargreaves Lansdown
Pros: FCA regulated: Hargreaves Lansdowns FCA regulation ensures it operates within legal and ethical boundaries.
Positive reputation: Hargreaves Lansdown has a long track record of serving UK investors and generally has a positive reputation.
Research: Get access to research tools and insights to help make informed investment decisions.
Mobile app: Customers can access investments and manage their portfolio with their user-friendly mobile app.
Cons: No 24/7 support: Unlike some competitors, Hargreaves Lansdown does not offer 24/7 customer service support.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown Safe?
Regulation
Hargreaves Lansdown is a highly regulated financial services company operating under the oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Their primary FCA registration number is 115248, which customers can verify on the FCA website. This regulatory framework ensures that Hargreaves Lansdown adheres to strict rules and standards, protecting the interests of their clients and promoting fair and transparent financial practices.
Fund Safety
Hargreaves Lansdown prioritizes client fund safety through a multi-layered approach. Client money is held on trust, segregated from company funds, and subject to strict FCA regulations. They utilize UK-licensed banks covered by the FSCS for protection up to £85,000 per person. Additionally, they diversify holdings across multiple institutions and actively monitor their performance and security. These measures demonstrate Hargreaves Lansdown's commitment to protecting client assets.
Safety Measures
Hargreaves Lansdown employs a skilled team and sophisticated tools to safeguard client assets and data. While specific details are not publicly disclosed, Hargreaves Lansdown emphasizes their confidence in their comprehensive defense-in-depth security measures.
What are Securities to Trade with Hargreaves Lansdown?
Hargreaves Lansdown offers online trading of a variety of securities, including:
Shares: UK and overseas shares can be transferred into a Fund and Share Account, or dealt with online, on the app, or by phone. Before buying US or Canadian shares, Customers need to complete a W-8BEN form.
Investment trusts: These can be bought and sold online through HL.
Exchange Traded Funds: Can be bought and sold like shares on the stock market, and can be held in a Fund and Share Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, or SIPP.
Commodities: HL offers online trading of commodities, including Exchange Traded Commodities (ETCs).
Gilts and bonds: Corporate and government bonds can be transferred into a Fund and Share Account.
Hargreaves Lansdown Accounts
Hargreaves Lansdown offers stocks and shares ISA account, fund and share account, self-invested personal pension account, lifetime ISA account, active savings account, etc.
STOCKS AND SHARES ISA: This tax-efficient account allows you to invest in individual stocks and shares. Minimum opening requires a £100 lump sum or £25 monthly contribution through Direct Debit. Withdrawals are tax-free.
FUND AND SHARE ACCOUNT: This flexible account lets you invest in a wide range of funds and shares. Minimum opening requires either a £1 lump sum or £25 monthly contributions through Direct Debit.
SELF-INVESTED PERSONAL PENSION (SIPP): This account helps you save for retirement through investments. Minimum opening requires a £100 lump sum or £25 monthly contribution through Direct Debit. Up to 25% of your SIPP can usually be withdrawn tax-free in retirement, while the rest is taxed as income.
Hargreaves Lansdown Fees Review
Annual charge depends on whether you hold funds or shares in customers' Fund and Share Accounts. There are no charges for opening an account, holding cash or inactivity.
Hargreaves Lansdown's fee structure for the Fund and Share Account is tiered, based on the value of traders' holdings.
Shares(including UK and overseas shares, investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, VCTs, gilts and bonds): No annual charges apply.
Funds:
Up to £250,000: 0.45% annual charge.
£250,000 - £1 million: 0.25% annual charge.
£1 million - £2 million: 0.1% annual charge.
Over £2 million: No charge.
Hargreaves Lansdown offers tiered interest rates on cash held in HL ISAs, Junior ISAs, and Lifetime ISAs. The rates increase as account balance grows, offering:
3.76% AER for balances of £100,000 or more.
3.45% AER for balances between £50,000 and £99,999.99.
3.25% AER for balances between £10,000 and £49,999.99.
3.04% AER for balances below £10,000.
Hargreaves Lansdown App Review
Hargreaves Lansdown offers an accessible way to manage customers' investments with their mobile app, the HL App, available for free download on both iPhone and Android devices. Additionally, the app integrates with their website, providing a consistent experience across platforms. This app allows traders to manage their portfolio, trade and invest.
Research & Education
Hargreaves Lansdown recognizes the importance of informed investing and provides a range of educational resources to support their clients. Their research and education offerings include:
News insights: Stay up-to-date with market news, analysis, and commentary from their team of experts.
Research: Access in-depth research reports on individual stocks, funds, and investment themes, helping you make informed decisions.
Glossary: Understand key financial terms and concepts with their comprehensive glossary.
Customer Service
Hargreaves Lansdown offers accessible customer service options to support their clients. Customers can reach them by phone (0117 980 9984) Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday from 9:30am to 12:30pm. They are closed on Sundays. Additionally, they provide the option to send messages online, offering flexibility and convenience for contacting them outside of phone hours.
Conclusion
Hargreaves Lansdown is a UK investment platform offering a wide range of services and tools to help individuals manage their finances and grow their wealth. They prioritize client safety with robust security measures, FCA regulation, and client money segregation. Their diverse account types meet different investment goals, and their educational resources empower investors to make informed decisions. Additionally, they offer convenient customer service options through phone and online messaging.
FAQs
Is Hargreaves Lansdown safe to trade?
Yes, Hargreaves Lansdown is considered a safe platform for trading. They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown a good platform for beginners?
Hargreaves Lansdown can be a good platform for beginners due to its user-friendly platform, educational resources and minimum investment amounts.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown legit?
Yes, Hargreaves Lansdown is a legitimate and established financial services company. They are FCA-regulated.
Risk Warning
The information provided is based on WikiStock's expert evaluation of the brokerage's website data and is subject to change. Besides, online trading entails substantial risks, potentially leading to total loss of invested funds, so comprehending associated risks before engaging is crucial.