Established in 1826, Shepherds Friendly is a mutual organisation that offers its members savings bonds and individual savings accounts (ISAs), income protection plans and over-50s life insurance.
Shepherds Friendly investment products
Stocks and shares ISA
Junior stocks and shares ISA (JISA)
5-year fixed rate bond
Adult ISA
The Shepherds Friendly stocks and shares ISA is a personal account where you can invest up to £20,000 alongside other ISAs, including help to buy, lifetime and cash ISAs in the tax year 2024/2025. This means that you can invest up to £20,000 without being taxed on the profits you make.
You can open an ISA with the Shepherds Friendly app. You can save from £30 per month or make single lump sum payments, starting at £100.
You’ve got a couple of different options for your ISA:
Standard. Invest in a ready-made option and have Shepherds Friendly professionals manage the portfolio for you.
Sustainable. The same as the standard ISA, except it’s an ethical option that invests in companies that are driving social and economic development.
Junior ISA
You can also save into junior versions of adult ISAs for your children. They’re virtually the same, except the annual allowance is £9,000 in the 2024/2025 tax year. The money you save up is locked away until your child turns 18, when they’re able to access it.
5-year fixed rate bond
You can save any amount from £1,000 to £125,000, and your money is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, even if you deposit the full £125,000.
How to set up a Shepherds Friendly account
You can apply to Shepherds Friendly on its website. You’ll then be able to download the app, where you’ll need to provide:
Plan number
Date of birth
Email address
Mobile phone number
Is Shepherds Friendly safe?
Shepherds Friendly is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority. It’s also covered by the FSCS, which means that if Shepherds Friendly were to go bust, your deposits are covered for up to £85,000 – or more, in the case of the bond.
Shepherds Friendly customer reviews
Overall, the reviews posted on Trustpilot are positive. Current and previous members have reported receiving a good level of customer service from Shepherds Friendly’s staff.
Members of Shepherds Friendly said that the website was easy to navigate, and their accounts were straightforward to set up. However, members frequently mentioned that they received reductions – commonly 10% – when withdrawing their investment. The policy and reasoning behind the reduction were well and clearly explained by the Shepherds Friendly customer service advisors.
On Trustpilot, Shepherds Friendly has 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on more than 700 reviews. The organisation has 4.6 out of 5 stars on Reviews.io, based on over 2,800 reviews (last updated: September 2024).
Pros and cons of Shepherds Friendly
Pros
Long-established brand. Shepherds Friendly has been going for nearly 200 years.
Online banking. This gives you instant access to your accounts.
Junior ISA available
Insurance. A few of the products include life or sickness cover.
Gift voucher. You might get a Love2Shop gift voucher of up to £50 when you open certain accounts.
Cons
Little choice for adult savers. You will get a more comprehensive selection of savings accounts elsewhere. If you’re after a fixed-rate saver or an easy access account, then maybe look at other providers.
No high-street presence. It might not be suited to those who prefer face-to-face banking. However, you can contact Shepherds Friendly over the phone, online, and by post and email.
All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC. See full bio
Danny's expertise
Danny has written 326 Finder guides across topics including:
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