Stock Brokers > The Share Centre
About The Share Centre
Gavin Oldham, who founded The Share Centre, was a partner in Wedd Durlacher, one of the two big stockjobbers in the old market. His firm, which had family connections dating back to Bone Oldham in 1884, was bought by Barclays Bank. There he teamed up with Peter Forster, director of business development at The Share Centre, who had been at Barclays for 25 years, and Jeremy Helliwell, now Operations Director at The Share Centre. The result was Barclayshare, or Barclays Stockbrokers as it is now known.
In 1990 Gavin left Barclays to set up The Share Centre, which started providing share services to the public in April 1991. Since then the company has grown consistently, offering its services through newspapers, major listed companies, retail stores and the large UK government privatisations. In 1993 it was chosen to offer low-cost share dealing services for corporate client companies of SG Warburg. In 1994 it ran the House of Fraser employee new issue service and in 1995 it provided National Grid with a dedicated flotation service for its staff.
In 1996 The Share Centre introduced one of the lowest ever minimum commission for share-buying: just £2.50 (see their charges page). Meanwhile, to prepare for fully automated dealing, it introduced a share settlement system based on CREST, the new share clearing organisation designed to replace the old Stock Exchange systems. 1997 was the year of de-mutualisation, and a change of Government.
The Share Centre originated "subscription-free" transfer into PEP for Building Society Shares, and played a leading role in offering share services for the new plc's, including the new Colonial Share service. Thomson Travel was the major event in '98, and The Share Centre handled over 300,000 registrations, 105,000 of whom applied for the issue.
In a major expansion of its share services for employees and shareholders of listed companies, The Share Centre acquired the Corporate PEP business of Bradford & Bingley in early '99, completing the transfer over the Easter weekend. It now administers over 167,000 Share Accounts, PEP's and ISA's with a combined value of approximately £750m.
In the fourth quarter of 2000 The Share Centre started to provide direct Internet Access for Account Customers. This major development proved extremely popular, as customers are able to review their valuations and place dealing instructions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In January 2001 Immediate Dealing was introduced to the web site, and now accounts for over 40% of all dealing instructions placed.
The Share Centre is a privately owned, independent group. Gavin Oldham remains the majority shareholder in the parent company, now called Share plc, accompanied by fellow staff and directors and a number of long-standing personal shareholders. However, shareownership in the newly-restructured company underwent a major change in 2000, with existing Account holders and new ISA customers being offered the opportunity to receive Free Shares in Share plc.
In addition, they have created our own 'Internal Market' known as 'ShareMark' to allow the trading in Share plc shares, accessible via www.sharemark.co.uk.
Share Account
Opening a Share Account with The Share Centre couldn't be easier. You don't have to deal straight away. An unused account costs nothing to open and nothing to close - so if you change your mind there's nothing to lose.
ISAs
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are a tax-free way of investing, designed to encourage savings and investment habit for everyone. They're the Government's alternative to PEPs and TESSAs for new subscriptions.
Their ISA allows you to invest directly in shares and the selection is yours. You will still avoid UK tax on all investments within your portfolio, so long as it stays fully invested - no UK dividend income tax and no UK capital gains tax. You can do so enjoying the same ease, flexibility and service that they give to all our Share Account customers, and if you're unsure of what to do at any stage, there's optional access to personal investment advice.
Benefits:
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Your own tax-free share portfolio
Low dealing and administration charges
24 hour, 7 day access to your portfolio online
Wide range of investments
The Shareholder magazine with your half-yearly valuations
Optional investment advice
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Visit http://www.share.com/
Stock Brokers > Cortal
About Cortal
Cortal was the first bank in Europe to offer exclusively telephone banking and has since then become the specialist in savings and investment for private investors. Cortal is the leading French online broker with a 33% market share.
Today, Cortal offers its savings and investment services to customers in more than 5 European countries.
Whether you are a financially savvy investor or a beginner wishing a little guidance, with Cortal you will find the right investment device. In the first case they provide you with independent financial information that will help make your investment decisions. In the second case they happily guide you to fully packaged investments.
Why Choose Cortal?
A complete offer of investment and savings products for the private investor
Cortal is a specialist in savings and investment and offers you an extensive product range, where you will find a solution for your investment needs. With Cortal's online brokerage service you can trade on 9 of the most important international stock exchanges throughout Europe and North America. With Cortal's The Funds Shop you can invest in mutual funds, accessing a rigorous selection of almost 100 mutual funds, even those of our competitors. For short term investments, you can choose between a range of fixed term deposit accounts.
Today, more than 626,000 customers throughout Europe confirm the success of Cortal's philosophy: to make everything possible and to help you get the most out of your money.
Over 15 years experience
Cortal Bank was founded in 1984 and was the first European bank without counters nor a credit business. Since then, and for over 15 years now, Cortal has been steadily innovating financial services with products like cash management accounts, the first European mutual funds supermarket and the first European online brokerage service giving access to 9 international stock markets.
The security of BNP Paribas Group
Cortal is a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas, the second most profitable bank in the euro zone, and therefore benefits from the dynamic and knowledge of a globally represented group. BNP Paribas had a net income of euro 4.12 billion for the year 2000 and is present in more than 85 countries.
Cortal Trading Account
With a Cortal Trading Account you can trade in real-time and total security on 9 international Stock Exchanges.
Your trading screens will contain price information and your current holdings for shares and cash balance available for purchase. An easy to read overview of your account holdings informs you about valuation and account movements, gives you details of your order book and realised profit and loss, all you need to successfully manage your portfolio.
Your personal details as a Cortal client are confidential and completely secured. When you open your Trading Account, you will receive a personal client number and a confidential access code.
The Trading Account can be personalised by using parameters that you can use to customise your account to best suit your needs.
In addition, you can create and manage a virtual portfolio to track stocks, try out new investment strategies and learn about trading and investing.
Visit http://www.e-cortal.com
