Problems with Halifax ISA Investor (FTSE / Fund Investment version)

bjp79

Hello everyone

I have had an ISA Investor runing with Halifax for over 3 months now - I have found the online service to have been very frustrating over the last month.

I have a £50 a month dd going into the FTSE 100 on the 28th of every month, and have made 2 small "one off" deposits of £20 into the account, namely in a "cautious managed fund" - with the small amounts being dispersed accross 4 areas, and another £20 into the Japanese stock market - these small deposits were made back in the first half of December.

Firstly - they seem to be very erratic with updating the current values - its not always an accurate indication of the FTSE 100, and they're slow to update it to current levels.

My MAIN problem is that all the deposits that were paid in in December have yet to appear as in my account when I click into the ISA Investor on the online portfolio... so I'm still left with the balance from the time of the £50 taken on 28th November + any growth since then... Meaning the overall account is missing £90.

I have rung Halifax on a number of occasions - the ISA Investor dept in York pass me onto the online helpdesk - who thusly say "we don't deal with the ISA Investor side of the online service" - great! I only seem to have gotten any kind of an explaination on my last attempt - apparently they're having "teething trouble" since adding the extra functionality for ISA Investors, and it'll all sort itself out sometime in the future.

I have individual certificates from Halifax for the 3 markets ive paid into (so at least I have evidence of my investments) - and they tell me that on their side the account is reading what it should be - but obviously that's no use to me here at home, as I cannot see the up to date amounts on my screen.

I was wondering if anyone else has had similar problems using the service, and if anyone has had any further news that they can provide?

Thanks

Ben

Bazn

yep exactly the same prob here. I opened it with a lump sum and that shows up on the online banking. But all subsequent additions have yet to appear.

Doesnt bother me too much tho cos i have the certificate as evidence the money is where it should be.

Deemy

Halifax is good for banking... the shares part has a lot to be desires... do what I did , switch to squaregain.

bjp79

It doesnt bother me massively... Its more annoying than anything, as I like to see all my savings and how they're doing when I want to. (On a side note, I think the sharebuilder service, which I have used a lot lately, is excellent)

I have a large portfolio with Halifax already - so I'm using my ISA Investor with them out of convenience really. I already have a current account with A&L as well as my old Barclays account open for local dealing - to be honest, to open another product with another financial institution would start to mae things look messy.

bjp79

Well - its still the same balance as it was in late November... :wall: I called today and threatened to switch my ISA to somone else - will see if that puts a rocket up the proverbial...

dunstonh

Do not just threaten it. Do it. Banks are not known for their investment performance.

regularsaver1

I do a regular sum each month into the Isa Investor, dividied into 5 different pools under my portfolio. I can't seem the understand the net system too much - but if your in town, do what I did - go into a branch and ask to speak with a financial adviser there, who will confirm to you then.

and the helpline did seem to be able to tell me (because mine didnt seem to add up correctly what I'd paid into it each month, and my dd I have just increased)

regularsaver1

The charges arn't bad though really are they?? (am i blind?)

bjp79

I get the impression that Halifax are not dedicated to their ISA Investor product. Many of the people I have spoken to at the investor dept in York seem to have very basic knowledge of the product they are representing. Awareness of the problem I have is acknowledged - but no further assistance or resolutions have been offered. I find the whole affair lacklustre.

I have the forms from Hargreaves Lansdown (https://www.hargreaveslansdown.co.uk) and am going to transfer accross my ISA Investor - they offer discounted rates, and allow you to make a bespoke investment plan, from a range of well known funds... Seems the way forward for me.