British investors are poised to see a new competitor in the DIY investing platform market as US banking giant JP Morgan Chase plans to launch a fresh investment service in the UK, challenging some of the well-established and up-and-coming platforms already gaining considerable traction. The new JP Morgan Personal Investing platform is set to launch in November 2025, marking a significant rebranding and consolidation move where the Nutmeg online investing brand, acquired by JP Morgan in 2021, will be retired. Nutmeg, once a pioneer in robo-advisory investment services and founded by the late Nick Hungerford, will be integrated into the new JP Morgan offering. From 2026, investors on the new platform will be able to buy and sell individual shares, bonds, and funds, aiming to expand beyond Nutmeg's original focus on managed portfolios. The relaunched service also introduces new features such as a free 'Wealth Planner' tool for financial goal tracking and strategy customisation, with high-net-worth clients having access to personal advice through dedicated relationship managers, while all users retain access to financial guidance and paid consultation options.
JP Morgan's entry places it in direct competition with dominant firms like Hargreaves Lansdown, Interactive Investor, and AJ Bell, alongside the rapidly growing app-based platform Trading 212. The UK market is fiercely competitive and has seen remarkable innovation and cost reductions in recent years. Platforms like Trading 212 and Prosper stand out by offering fee-free investing options, which have been particularly attractive to cost-conscious investors. For instance, Trading 212 has grown to hold over £25 billion in client assets, boasting a user base of 4.5 million clients globally. Its business model emphasises zero-commission trading and fractional share investing, allowing broad market access without the barriers of high fees. Trading 212 further supports investors with a high-interest Cash ISA and offers a branded debit card that provides 1% cashback and zero foreign exchange fees, enhancing its appeal beyond investment into everyday finance. According to Trading 212 co-founder Ivan Ashminov, the platform’s mission has been to democratise wealth building, removing traditional financial barriers.
The competitive landscape includes a range of platforms catering to different investor needs and preferences. Hargreaves Lansdown, often described as the "Waitrose of investing platforms," is the UK's largest but comes with higher fees—0.45% account charges and £11.95 per share deal—although it benefits from free fund dealing, capped fees, and strong telephone customer service. Interactive Investor uses a flat-fee subscription model starting from £4.99 a month, which can benefit larger portfolios, with share and fund dealing fees at £3.99. Prosper, founded by Tandem Bank co-founder Nick Perrett, offers completely free investing with no dealing or account fees, featuring investment trusts, ETFs, and funds, although it does not support individual share purchases. Finally, Charles Stanley Direct combines moderate fees with perks like £50 in free trades every six months and no charge on its own multi-asset funds, alongside free financial coaching sessions.
A significant regulatory change earlier this year has removed previous restrictions on contributing to more than one stocks and shares ISA in the same tax year. This allows investors to split their investments across platforms to take advantage of differing strengths, such as one platform offering fee-free share dealing and another specialising in funds or enhanced customer service. This new flexibility further intensifies competition among platforms aiming to offer the best combination of cost, service quality, and investment options.
JP Morgan's ambitious entrance with its integrated Nutmeg platform and planned DIY trading service represents a fresh chapter in the UK's dynamic investment landscape. However, it will face a strong battle to attract customers who have increasingly favoured platforms offering low or no fees, user-friendly apps, and innovative financial products. The continued rise of Trading 212, in particular, underscores the shift towards mobile-first, cost-efficient services tailored for a new generation of investors. Whether JP Morgan can leverage its global banking pedigree and enhanced financial planning tools to carve a significant share of the market remains to be seen in the coming year.
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Source: Noah Wire Services