Share Centre Broker - Complete Information Guide

1. Broker Overview

　　The Share Centre, officially known as The Share Centre Limited, was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. As a private company, it has established itself as a leading provider of stockbroking services, primarily catering to retail investors in the UK. With over 300,000 accounts under its administration, the Share Centre has built a reputation for offering comprehensive and user-friendly trading solutions.

　　Over the years, the Share Centre has achieved several milestones, including the introduction of various investment products such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) and SIPPs (Self-Invested Personal Pensions). In February 2020, it became a subsidiary of Interactive Investor, further enhancing its service offerings and market reach.

　　The business model of the Share Centre focuses on providing retail forex and share dealing services. It operates under a fixed-fee model, allowing investors to manage their own investment portfolios while benefiting from a wide range of financial instruments, including stocks, investment trusts, funds, bonds, ETFs, and gilts.

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2. Regulatory and Compliance Information

　　The Share Centre is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, which ensures that it adheres to strict regulatory standards. The FCA reference number for the Share Centre is 146768. This regulation is crucial for maintaining investor confidence and safeguarding client funds.

　　The Share Centre operates under the following regulatory licenses:

• FCA (UK) - ensuring compliance with UK financial regulations.
• ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) - applicable for clients in Australia.
• DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) - for clients in the UAE.

　　Client funds are held in segregated accounts, ensuring that they are protected in the event of financial difficulties faced by the broker. The Share Centre is also a participant in the UKs Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which protects eligible investors up to £85,000 in case of insolvency.

　　To comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, the Share Centre requires clients to provide identification and verification documents during the account opening process. This helps prevent fraud and ensures a secure trading environment.

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3. Trading Products and Services

　　The Share Centre offers a diverse range of trading products, focusing primarily on UK assets. It provides access to over 500 shares listed on the London Stock Exchange, including those on the FTSE and AIM indices. However, it does not offer international shares, which limits diversification opportunities for investors.

Forex Trading

　　The Share Centre allows trading in various currency pairs, although the exact number of forex pairs available is not specified in the sources.

CFD Products

　　The broker does not provide direct access to Contract for Difference (CFD) trading, which may limit options for traders seeking to leverage their investments.

Special Products

　　The Share Centre offers a selection of over 4,250 mutual funds and investment trusts, providing investors with a broad spectrum of choices. The broker also curates a list of socially responsible funds, which is beneficial for investors looking to align their investments with ethical values.

Retail and Institutional Services

　　While the Share Centre primarily caters to retail investors, it does not explicitly mention services for institutional clients or white-label solutions.

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4. Trading Platforms and Technology

　　The Share Centre provides a web-based trading platform that is user-friendly but lacks some advanced features found in other trading platforms. It does not support MetaTrader 4 or 5, which are popular among forex traders for their comprehensive analytical tools.

Custom Platform

　　The Share Centre has developed its own trading platform, which is accessible through web browsers. This platform facilitates basic order types, including market, limit, and stop-loss orders, but does not offer advanced order features such as fill-or-kill orders.

Mobile Application

　　The Share Centre has a mobile trading application available for both iOS and Android devices. However, the app lacks the ability to set price alerts, which can be a significant drawback for active traders.

Execution Model

　　The Share Centre operates primarily as a market maker, which means it provides liquidity by taking the opposite side of trades. This execution model may not suit all traders, particularly those who prefer direct market access.

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5. Account Types and Trading Conditions

　　The Share Centre offers several account types to cater to different investment needs.

Standard Account

　　The standard trading account requires a minimum deposit of £2 per month, with a commission fee of £7.50 per trade. For trades exceeding £750, the commission changes to 1% of the trade value.

ISAs

　　The Share Centre provides various ISAs, including:

• Self-Select Stocks and Shares ISA: A fixed monthly fee of £5 and commission fees similar to the standard account.
• Ready-Made ISAs: Managed portfolios with no monthly fees but subject to annual management charges.

Special Accounts

　　While the Share Centre does not explicitly mention special accounts like Islamic accounts, it does offer a SIPP for pension investments.

Leverage and Trading Conditions

　　Leverage ratios and minimum trade sizes are not detailed in the available sources, but the Share Centre generally allows for a flexible trading environment suitable for both new and experienced traders.

6. Fund Management

　　The Share Centre supports several deposit methods, including:

• Bank Transfers
• Debit Cards

Minimum Deposit Requirements

　　There is no minimum deposit requirement for opening a standard account, making it accessible for new traders.

Deposit Processing Times

　　Deposits via debit card are processed instantly, while bank transfers may take up to 5 business days.

Deposit Fees

　　The Share Centre does charge fees for certain deposit methods, particularly for credit card transactions.

Withdrawal Methods and Limitations

　　Withdrawals can be made via the same methods used for deposits, with processing times typically ranging from 3 to 5 business days. There may be fees associated with withdrawals, particularly for same-day requests.

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7. Customer Support and Educational Resources

　　The Share Centre offers customer support through various channels, including:

• Email Support
• Phone Support

　　However, it does not provide live chat support, which can be a limitation for users seeking immediate assistance.

Service Hours

　　Customer service is available during business hours, typically from 8 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays.

Multilingual Support

　　The Share Centre supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Educational Resources

　　The broker provides a range of educational materials, including:

• Webinars
• Tutorials
• Market Analysis

　　These resources are designed to help traders enhance their knowledge and trading skills.

8. Regional Coverage and Restrictions

　　The Share Centre primarily serves clients in the UK but is also available in several other countries. However, it does not accept clients from specific regions, including:

• Brazil
• Republic of Korea
• Iran
• Iraq
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Japan
• United States of America

　　This regional restriction limits access for potential investors in these countries, which is an important consideration for those looking to engage with the Share Centre.

　　In conclusion, the Share Centre is a well-established broker that offers a range of services primarily focused on the UK market. While it provides a user-friendly platform and a variety of investment options, potential clients should carefully consider its limitations, particularly regarding international trading and advanced trading features. As always, it is essential to conduct thorough research and understand the risks involved in trading before making any investment decisions.