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Cash interest explained

You will receive interest on balances in your platform cash account at the prevailing rate.

Embark Investment Services Limited acts as the custodian for investments on the Willis Owen platform and is one of our strategic partners that provides our Willis Owen ISA, GIA, Junior ISA and SIPP.

Embark places cash with a number of banking partners for safekeeping and to provide the potential for you to earn interest on money in your platform cash account. By managing cash in this way, it aims to provide better protection and a higher overall level of interest than if all funds were placed with a single bank.

The rates of interest paid by banks will vary. Embark retains a portion of the interest earned to cover its costs in managing platform cash.

Current Interest Rate

The table below shows the current customer interest rate payable on cash balances along with the amount of interest retained by Embark. The customer interest rate shown is that after accounting for interest retained by Embark:

Date From Customer Interest Rate Interest retained by Embark
19th May 2025 2% 1.70% - 1.95%

Embark can change the rate of interest at any time and it reviews the position at least quarterly. Interest is calculated and accrued daily and is credited to your account on the first of each month. If you transfer out, accrued interest is applied at the point of transfer. We will inform you if and when the interest rate changes as soon as is practicable.

Interest retained

The table below shows the yearly equivalent rates of interest Embark expects to pay based on a range of possible yearly interest rates it may earn.

Interest Embark expects to earn Customer Interest Rate Interest retained by Embark
0-1% 0 – 0.46% 0 – 0.54%
1-2% 0.46% – 0.94% 0.54% – 1.06%
2-3% 0.94% – 1.46% 1.06% – 1.54%
3-4% 1.46% – 2.02% 1.54% – 1.98%
4-5% 2.02% – 2.61% 1.98% – 2.39%
5%+ 2.61%+ 2.39%+

Historic Interest Rates

To see details of historic customer interest rates, along with the amount of interest retained by Embark, click here.

Equity Styles Explained

Market capitalisation is an indication of the size of the companies being invested in. It is calculated by multiplying the number of shares issued by the company by the current share price. Market capitalisation is divided into ‘large’, ‘medium’ or ‘small’ according to the below:

Large – Companies that have a market capitalisation greater than $10 billion.

Medium – Companies that have a market capitalisation between $2 billion and $10 billion.

Small – Companies that have a market capitalisation below $2 billion.

Companies can be categorised as ‘value’, ‘blend’ or ‘growth’ as defined below:

Value – Companies that are considered to be trading at a share price below what their fundamentals would suggest.

Blend – Companies that do not exhibit solely value or growth characteristics.

Growth – Typically well-established companies which are considered to have above average prospects for long-term growth.

Equity Regions Explained

Equity region indicates in which countries the underlying shares within your portfolio are listed.

USA – Companies listed on a stock market in the USA.

Canada – Companies listed on a stock market in Canada.

Latin America – Companies listed on stock markets in the Caribbean, Central America and South America, such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

United Kingdom – Companies listed on a stock market in the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey.

Eurozone – Companies listed on stock markets in countries which have the Euro as their official currency, such as France, Germany and Spain.

Europe ex Eurozone – Companies listed on stock markets in western European countries which do not have the Euro as their official currency, such as Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.

Europe Emerging – Companies listed on stock markets in European emerging markets, such as Poland, Russia and Turkey.

Africa – Companies listed on stock markets in African countries, such as Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.

Middle East – Companies listed on stock markets in Middle Eastern countries, such as Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Japan – Companies listed on a stock market in Japan.

Australasia – Companies listed on stock markets in Australia and New Zealand.

Asia Developed – Companies listed on stock markets in developed Asian countries, such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

Asia Emerging – Companies listed on stock markets in emerging Asian countries, such as China, India and Thailand.

Equity Sectors Explained

Cyclical – Companies which operate in industries that are considered to be significantly affected by economic shifts. When the economy is prosperous, these industries tend to expand and when the economy is in a downturn they tend to shrink.

Basic Materials - Companies that manufacture chemicals, building materials and paper products. This sector also includes companies engaged in commodities exploration and processing.

Consumer Cyclical - This sector includes retail stores, auto and auto-parts manufacturers, restaurants, lodging facilities, specialty retail and travel companies.

Financial Services - Companies that provide financial services include banks, savings and loans, asset management companies, credit services, investment brokerage firms and insurance companies.

Real Estate - This sector includes companies that develop, acquire, manage and operate real estate properties.

Sensitive – Companies that operate in industries that ebb and flow with the overall economy, but not severely. Sensitive industries fall between defensive and cyclical, as they are not immune to a poor economy, but they also may not be as severely affected as cyclicals.

Communication Services - Companies that provide communication services using fixed-line networks or those that provide wireless access and services. Also includes companies that provide advertising & marketing services, entertainment content and services, as well as interactive media and content provider over internet or through software.

Energy - Companies that produce or refine oil and gas, oilfield-services and equipment companies and pipeline operators. This sector also includes companies that mine thermal coal and Uranium.

Industrials - Companies that manufacture machinery, hand-held tools and industrial products. This sector also includes aerospace and defence firms as well as companies engaged in transportation services.

Technology - Companies engaged in the design, development and support of computer operating systems and applications. This sector also includes companies that make computer equipment, data storage products, networking products, semiconductors and components.

Defensive – Companies which operate in industries that are relatively immune from economic shifts. These industries provide services that consumers require in both good and bad times.

Consumer Defensive – Companies that manufacture food, beverages, household and personal products, packaging, or tobacco. Also includes companies that provide services such as education and training services.

Healthcare – This sector includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research services, home healthcare, hospitals, long-term-care facilities and medical equipment and supplies. Also includes pharmaceutical retailers and companies which provide health information services.

Utilities - Electric, gas and water utilities.

Product Involvement Explained

Product Involvement metrics measure the percentage of a portfolio's assets exposed to a range of business areas and activities. For example, if a fund's involvement in Animal Testing is 20%, that means 20% of the fund's assets are invested in companies involved in Animal Testing.

Exposure percentages are calculated by summing the weights of a portfolio’s holdings in the companies involved in each area. In most cases a company is considered ‘involved’ in a certain area if it's revenue from that area exceeds a certain minimum threshold. In other areas, for example animal testing, abortion, contraceptives and human embryonic stem cell research, there is no revenue threshold such that if the company has any involvement at all in these areas, it will be considered involved. If a company is considered involved in an area, the entire weight of that company in a portfolio is counted when determining the overall percentages shown.

ESG Pillars Explained

Morningstar's ESG Pillar Scores help investors understand how a fund is performing in three key areas: Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G). These scores break down the overall sustainability risk of a portfolio into these specific categories.

Each score reflects how much environmental, social, and governance factors contribute to the overall risk of companies in the fund. The scores are averaged based on the size of each company in the portfolio. Lower scores mean lower risk.

To receive these scores, at least 67% of the fund’s assets must be rated for their ESG risk. This provides investors with a clearer view of a fund’s exposure to sustainability risks in different areas.

Asset Allocation Explained

Equity – Often referred to as shares. Shares are units of ownership in a company which entitle the holder to certain rights for example to exercise voting rights or to participate in the company’s profits.

Fixed Income – Often referred to as fixed interest or bonds. When you invest in bonds, you are typically lending money to a company or a government in return for a defined series of interest payments and the promise that a defined value (called the ‘face’ or ‘par’ value) will be returned at a certain point in time

Property – Investments in property include residential, offices, warehouses and shopping centres.

Cash – Money held in cash or cash-like instruments, often to ensure there are sufficient liquid assets within a portfolio.

Other – Contains other investments such as commodities, preferred stock and derivatives.

Insight Polls

We’d love to know how you intend to vote in the upcoming referendum.

Added on 23 May 16 (1,495 votes) - View Article  

With only a few weeks to go before the EU referendum on 23rd June the ‘Remain’ versus ‘Leave’ debate is in full swing with campaigners vociferously presenting their arguments both factual and emotive. Have you been swayed one way or the other? We’d love to know how you intend to vote in the referendum. 

  • Exit - 953 votes (63.7%)
  • Stay - 440 votes (29.4%)
  • Unsure - 87 votes (5.8%)
  • Not Voting - 15 votes (1.0%)

How much you intend to invest in an ISA this tax year?

Added on 08 Apr 16 (306 votes)

With a new tax year, you have a new £15,240 tax-advantaged ISA allowance. We'd love to know how much you intend to invest in an ISA this tax year.

  • £15,240 - 166 votes (54.2%)
  • £0 - 51 votes (16.7%)
  • £10,001 to £15,239 - 31 votes (10.1%)
  • £7,501 to £10,000 - 17 votes (5.6%)
  • £5,001 to £7,500 - 15 votes (4.9%)
  • £2,501 to £5,000 - 14 votes (4.6%)
  • £1 to £2,500 - 11 votes (3.6%)
  • £10 - 1 votes (0.3%)

We’d love to know how you intend to vote in the upcoming referendum.

Added on 10 Mar 16 (1,022 votes) - View Article  

With the EU reforms having been announced and the poll will be held on 23th June 2016, we’d love to know how you intend to vote in the referendum. 

  • Exit - 513 votes (50.2%)
  • Stay - 310 votes (30.3%)
  • Unsure - 182 votes (17.8%)
  • Not Voting - 17 votes (1.7%)

How best describes your confidence in the global economy?

Added on 22 Dec 15 (442 votes) - View Article  

After the latest fall in oil prices, and the US Federal Reserve’s decision to increase its interest rate, how confident are you feeling about the global economy in 2016?

  • Unsure - 203 votes (45.9%)
  • Somewhat Confident - 114 votes (25.8%)
  • Somewhat Unconfident - 86 votes (19.5%)
  • Very Unconfident - 25 votes (5.7%)
  • Very Confident - 14 votes (3.2%)

How best describes your confidence in your own personal finances?

Added on 19 Nov 15 (452 votes)

With less than a week to go until George Osborne’s Autumn Statement, we'd love to know how confident you feel about your own personal finances?

  • Somewhat Confident - 184 votes (40.7%)
  • Unsure - 134 votes (29.6%)
  • Somewhat Unconfident - 59 votes (13.1%)
  • Very Confident - 53 votes (11.7%)
  • Very Unconfident - 22 votes (4.9%)

Do you think changing pensions in this way would be good for your finances?

Added on 15 Jul 15 (507 votes) - View Article  

In last week’s Budget, Chancellor George Osborne announced that he would be seeking views about further changes to pensions. One proposal is to change rules so that money saved in pensions is taxed before it goes in, rather than when it comes out. In other words, making it more like an ISA.  Do you think changing pensions in this way would be good for your finances or not?

  • No - 209 votes (41.2%)
  • Do Not Know - 155 votes (30.6%)
  • Yes - 143 votes (28.2%)

How concerned are you that the EU referendum will hit your finances?

Added on 03 Jun 15 (900 votes) - View Article  

The Queen’s Speech confirmed that a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union will be held before the end of 2017. We can expect it to remain top of the media agenda for the foreseeable future – but what sort of impact, if any, do you think it will have on your finances?

  • Do Not Know Yet - 233 votes (25.9%)
  • Not Particularly Concerned - 202 votes (22.4%)
  • Somewhat Concerned - 192 votes (21.3%)
  • Not at all Concerned - 164 votes (18.2%)
  • Extremely Concerned - 109 votes (12.1%)

What is your attitude to risk for savings and investments?

Added on 28 Apr 15 (331 votes) - View Article  

With a whole host of options available, saving and investing can sometimes be a risky business when looking for good returns. But how much risk are you prepared to take for your savings and investments?

  • Reasonable risk - 225 votes (68.0%)
  • Little or no risk - 66 votes (19.9%)
  • Substantial risk - 40 votes (12.1%)

Which Election outcome do you think would be best for your savings, pensions and investments?

Added on 15 Apr 15 (604 votes) - View Article  

With less than 30 days to go until the General Election and uncertainty about who will win the battle for Number 10.  We'd love to know which outcome do you think would be best for your savings, pensions and investments? 

  • Conservative Majority - 381 votes (63.1%)
  • Conservative-led Coalition - 97 votes (16.1%)
  • Labour Majority - 35 votes (5.8%)
  • Labour-led Coalition - 31 votes (5.1%)
  • Not thought about it - 18 votes (3.0%)
  • Do not Know - 14 votes (2.3%)
  • Other - 12 votes (2.0%)
  • Conservative Minority - 12 votes (2.0%)
  • Labour Minority - 4 votes (0.7%)

Are you planning to save more this tax year than last?

Added on 02 Apr 15 (60 votes) - View Article  

Following our recently commissioned poll to understand the nation's attitude to savings and investments; we'd love to know if you are you planning to save more this tax year than last?

  • Same - 30 votes (50.0%)
  • Save more - 18 votes (30.0%)
  • Save less - 12 votes (20.0%)

How would you describe your outlook for the British economy?

Added on 19 Mar 15 (460 votes) - View Article  

Following yesterday’s Budget, how would you describe your outlook for the British economy? 

  • Somewhat Confident - 246 votes (53.5%)
  • Unsure - 83 votes (18.0%)
  • Very Confident - 59 votes (12.8%)
  • Somewhat Unconfident - 43 votes (9.3%)
  • Very Unconfident - 29 votes (6.3%)

Do you feel more or less confident about the economy?

Added on 04 Dec 14 (304 votes) - View Article  

We'd love to know whether you feel more or less confident about the economy following yesterday's Autumn Statement by the Chancellor.

  • No change - 137 votes (45.1%)
  • More confident - 113 votes (37.2%)
  • Less confident - 54 votes (17.8%)

Market reaction to the Independence Referendum Result?

Added on 19 Sep 14 (117 votes) - View Article  

How do you think the Markets will react to the No result in the Scottish Independence Referendum?

  • Positive - 85 votes (72.6%)
  • Neutral - 16 votes (13.7%)
  • Unsure - 10 votes (8.5%)
  • Negative - 6 votes (5.1%)

How will you use your extra NISA allowance?

Added on 17 Jun 14 (216 votes) - View Article  

With the increase in the ISA allowance coming into effect on 1 July, we'd love to know by how much you intend to increase the amount you invest in your ISA this tax year?

  • Greater than £2,000 - 146 votes (67.6%)
  • I am not increasing - 60 votes (27.8%)
  • Less than £1,000 - 10 votes (4.6%)

Has the 2014 Budget been good for you?

Added on 20 Mar 14 (482 votes) - View Article  

With the Chancellor's latest Budget offering recently made public, we'd love to know how you fared?

  • Better off - 281 votes (58.3%)
  • No change - 107 votes (22.2%)
  • No idea - 49 votes (10.2%)
  • Worse off - 45 votes (9.3%)

What are the main reasons you invest in an ISA?

Added on 11 Mar 14 (600 votes - 323 respondents) - View Article  

Tell us the primary reason(s) you are investing in an ISA

  • For my retirement - 189 votes (58.5%)
  • Because I will need it one day - 136 votes (42.1%)
  • A rainy day fund - 121 votes (37.5%)
  • Help child/grandchild buy house - 41 votes (12.7%)
  • Child/grandchild Higher Education - 37 votes (11.5%)
  • Home improvements - 36 votes (11.1%)
  • None of the above - 32 votes (9.9%)
  • Repay my Mortgage - 8 votes (2.5%)

How will you use your ISA Allowance?

Added on 17 Feb 14 (717 votes) - View Article  

With low interest rates and an annually increasing ISA allowance, we'd love to know how you intend using your allowance.

  • Equity ISA - 367 votes (51.2%)
  • Cash ISA - 188 votes (26.2%)
  • Both - 117 votes (16.3%)
  • Neither - 45 votes (6.3%)

How's your economic outlook?

Added on 11 Feb 14 (573 votes) - View Article  

Are you more or less confident in the outlook for the UK economy compared with this time last year?

  • More - 332 votes (57.9%)
  • Unchanged - 183 votes (31.9%)
  • Less - 58 votes (10.1%)

How do you choose your funds?

Added on 08 Jan 14 (71 votes) - View Article  

Whilst you may use a number of sources for fund selection, we'd love to know which of the following most closely describes the way you select funds for your portfolio.

  • Detailed research - 18 votes (25.4%)
  • Featured in the paper - 12 votes (16.9%)
  • Best sellers - 12 votes (16.9%)
  • Favoured sector - 12 votes (16.9%)
  • Favoured manager - 11 votes (15.5%)
  • Willis Owen Guide - 6 votes (8.5%)

How are you going to use the new ISA Allowance?

Added on 05 Dec 13 (535 votes)

The increase is £360 to a new limit of £11,880 of which £5,940 can be invested in cash. You will be able to use this new allowance from 6 April 2014. We'd love to know how you intend to use your ISA allowance.

  • Equity ISA - 192 votes (35.9%)
  • Cash ISA - 185 votes (34.6%)
  • Both - 114 votes (21.3%)
  • Neither - 44 votes (8.2%)

ISA Lifetime Cap - Are you in favour of it?

Added on 25 Nov 13 (1,580 votes)

Reports suggest the Government is considering the introduction of a £100,000 lifetime cap on ISA holdings. Would you support or oppose this cap?

  • Do Not Cap It - 1,369 votes (86.6%)
  • Undecided - 118 votes (7.5%)
  • Cap It - 93 votes (5.9%)