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Which banks and brokers will be open right up to the deadline at midnight on Sunday? Sandra Haurantlooks at the cash and investment Isas you can get at the last minute
The clock is ticking for people planning to take advantage of this year's Isa allowance. The last day for opening Isas is Sunday 5 April, the end of the tax year for 08-09. Isa rules allow investors to place either all of the £7,200 limit in a stocks and shares Isa wrapper, or up to £3,600 in cash and the rest in stocks and shares.
Since this year's deadline falls on a Sunday, the last chance to get your application in for some providers is a day or two earlier. Some providers insist on having paper applications by Friday, while others will allow you to apply online up to midnight on Sunday.
No matter which provider you choose, if you have left it to the last minute to apply for an Isa, make sure you have your paperwork in order. Even if you have an account already set up with the provider, you may need to provide proof of identity and proof of address. Providers have different requirements, and if you go up to the wire you could miss your chance to invest if you do not have the right documents, so check what is required.
Cash Isas
You can still open a cash Isa with NatWest in person in a branch until Friday, or Saturday if your branch is open. It is too late for NatWest customers to open an account online or over the phone.
At Barclays, some branches are opening late on Saturday for Isa applications, and some are even opening on Sunday, including the new London branch at Piccadilly, which will be open until 7pm on both days. Check with your local branch for any special opening hours. Existing Barclays customers will be able to apply online until 11pm on Sunday.
Marks & Spencer will accept phone applications until 4pm on Sunday. It will accept online applications until midday on Sunday. Postal applications must arrive by Saturday.
You can open an e-Isa with HSBC until midnight on April 5. For all other Isas you need to go into a branch, which means the deadline is April 3, unless your branch is one of those ordinarily open on Saturdays.
Equity Isas
Jupiter Asset Management will accept phone applications between 9am and 5pm on Saturday (020 7314 7500), and postal applications must arrive on Saturday too. If you live in the area, you can call into the office in West Malling, Kent with your paper application on Saturday.
Fidelity Funds Network requires postal applications to arrive by Saturday, but you can also take your application to its Surrey or Kent offices, which will be open from 9am until 8pm on Saturday and from 9am until midnight on Sunday.
TD Waterhouse will accept online applications until midnight on Sunday, and phone lines will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and from 10am to 7pm on Sunday (0800 531 6684).
Legal & General allows investors to open an Isa up to 11.30pm on Sunday, and those who apply for an Isa direct will qualify for a rebate of the 2009 management charge for lump sum investments of £3,600 or more. Phone lines will be open until 6pm on Friday (0800 092 0092).
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