written by Ang345 on 11/05/2020
My child’s trust fund has decreased in value by over £2800 this year (from £1600 to £1400 and despite me paying an additional £800 in this year) and I’m paying a fee for the privilege of my child losing money in an apparent low risk account. We knew nothing of this until receiving a statement despite that they are meant to manage this money on my child’s behalf. This is money that relatives have paid in all year which has now been lost. Total disgrace to manage children’s money in this way and will be making a complaint. Transfer your child’s money out of this immediately even if to a very low interest account as this product is putting your child’s cash at serious risk.
written by BALLAM on 17/10/2016
IN ITS PAST YEAR A CTF RETURNED 2% GROWTH ,WHILST A JISA WITH 'ONE FAMILY' RETURNED 8.12% FOR A DIFFERENT CHILD, SAME PERIOD, RUNNING IN PARALLEL . PREVIOUS RETURNS FOR THE CHILDRENS MUTUAL CTF WERE 4% AND ANOTHER 2% ! A DEFINITE AVOID, SINCE THE CHILDRENS MUTUAL IS NOW RUN BY THE 'RORESTERS' WHO , HAVE CLEARLY MISSED THE TARGET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
written by 430Keith on 08/06/2016
Received my son's statement and was shocked to learn that during last year the amount invested has been decreased by 7.3%. This is during times when economy is growing and you have easily 3-4% increase in other saving accounts. Will arrange a transfer within the next 2 days. Filed a complaint too.
written by henrypagenewhaven on 08/01/2016
In the last two years my son's modest £1,250 investment pot has fallen. I intend to see if I can't move this fund elsewhere as a loss for the second year running is ridiculous. CTF was previously the Tunbridge Wells Equitable Friendly Society (TWEFS) and the fund grew reasonably well with their management, but when the Child Trust Fund scheme was enacted, TWEFS changed their name to the Children's Mutual, which subsequently joined with Foresters Life in 2013 From that point onward it just started to lack the lustre of previous years. I am going to take advice from a reputable independent advice service to see if I can move the fund elsewhere.
written by on 20/11/2015
Do not invest with this company. Do not believe their sales claims of a safe & secure investment. They are muppets who take no responsibility for the funds. Their performance over the last five years is less than can be achieved through any leading Building Society Bond. You have been warned.
Written on: 08/01/2016
My son's CTF account grew well year on year until Forester Life took over in 2013 - since then his fund has decreased slightly. It may be that the new group is having some difficulties in maintaining previous performance levels.
written by Westgw113 on 07/02/2015
Set up two savings plans for 13 and 16 years...the first is due to expire - we have had no bonuses for 5 years and will end up with just our money back if lucky. Heartbroken to think how hard I saved and they would have got more from a current account in any bank!
written by on 18/04/2013
I have two long term child funds and am predicting a return of about 1% year on year at maturity. This is hopeless for an investment return. My own pension fund has gone up well over this for a similar period without any input. What is wrong with these people, why can't they at least match a reasonable bank saving account. Don't use them.
written by Bohenie on 21/06/2012
The Childrens Mutual is not mutual - not one policy being sold to children shares in the profits of the organisation. They say they are experts in investing for children but in fact all they do is hand the money over to a Lloyds Bank subsidiary, who invest in an FTSE tracker - which has been woeful in performance for some years. If they were indeed monitoring the performace - they would have changed things by now - but they do nothing. Their fees are at the top end - and remember, they boast they only take 1.5% - but they take it every year - so save for 18 years and they will take 1.5% of your entire pot of money each year - that adds up to quite a sum.
Written on: 05/10/2012
I wouldn't even look at any of their funds, I've just had my bond materity value and it isn't even what I have put into the fund. I have only invested £10 per month, but in 2011 of the £120 I put in I was only credited with 44p!
Avoid the childrens mutual at all cost.
written by joshikol on 12/03/2012
After 6 years of paying we are MUCH worse off. Children's Mutual was the stupidest idea ever. If we kept those money in a sock we would have £500 more to spent on our child!! they took £500 for nothing!! they have no clue how to invest money and you will not only not receive a penny more but will surely loose what you've paid them!!!! MASSIVE DO NOT USE!!!!
written by benjupp on 02/09/2011
Have been paying into the Ethical Child Trust Fund for 6 years. Terrible performance, not helped by the very large initial payment fees. So after 6 years I am transferring the money out - considerably less than we (and the government) put in. Don't ever use them.
written by on 17/03/2011
After investing £25.00 per month for the last 16 years into this fund for my eldest child, a recent review showed growth over that time of 2.7% This is woeful performance for any fund over the last 16 years. Do not invest your money here they are terrible.
Written on: 15/06/2011
After investing £10.00 per month for the last 10 years into this fund for my son, the policy has now matured. Total paid in £1,200. Approx amount now due to my son £1,233 after bonuses paid and fees taken. A total of £33.00 after 10 years and no option from Children's Mutual (who have advised me that they are not taking any new business) to reinvest to try and recoup lost funds. Even though their booklet at the time of setting up the plan shows all examples for a term of 20 years? Don't bother with this one - stick your cash under your mattress.
written by on 13/03/2011
Fantastic company!
I had written in to change my address, but this somehow got mixed up (clerical error).
The gentleman I spoke to (Greg his name was), was absolutely brilliant. He looked into my account, and rang ALL relevant departments, without the need to promise a "call back".
He manged to sort it so I could send a £2400 cheque to cover the 2 missed years payments, and this would then reflect the 3 years at £1200.
Not only did he do this - He called me a few weeks later to check how it had gone, and if I was satisfied.
A fantastic lad, for a fantastic company!!
I woul recommend this to anyone!
written by on 08/02/2011
I thought I had set-up a direct debit for my grandson at £20 per month. It was acknowledged. This was done three weeks ago using The Children's Mutual Website. My daughter in law called this morning to say that she received a letter saying her direct debit was being increased by £20 per month. I called the company today but they were of no help whatsoever. It is clear to me that they have been incompetent and acted improperly. We have decided to give my grandson cheques instead.
written by on 02/06/2010
I have a couple of policies with the childrens mutual.
One is a CTF and one is a GUB. These 2 products are both index linked, thus the value is going to decrease also. With the current financial climate, I think the childrens mutual have done outstandlingly well brining the account values back up.
The customer service is spot on, and always help the best they can. They have not made errors on my account, because unlike a lot of people, I make my writing clear, so errors can arise. I am on the understanding all application forms are scanned in not keyed in. This is due to the low 1.5% account charge each year. If they had to key they would need more admin staff, which would cause the charge to be higher.
Give them a break. They can't be that bad with 2 awards under their belt. Keep up the good work!
written by on 31/05/2010
I imvested £1,000 in a baby bond 10 years ago for my daughter. Performance has been woeful. After 10 years the bond has just matured and I am receiving back £1007 - a return equivalent to 70p per year. If you have money to invest on behalf of your children - based on my experience I would not go with Childrens Mutual - I feel as I if I have been seriously conned.
written by on 15/05/2010
childrens mutual got my daughters name wrong and are now refusing to transfer the fund to another provider, citing that the new account is in my husbands name and not mine-so much for being married, spoke to cust services and still no response-been at this for 5 months now-incredibly obstructive company-do not ever use these clowns
written by on 29/04/2010
The Childrens Mutual lost my sons cheque/voucher and consequently it got allocated another Trust Fund provider.
Dreadful service and no attempt to resolve the complaint.
written by on 31/03/2010
Do not use chidrens mutual. They promise you mothercare vouchers that never arrive and then never answer emails when you chase them up. I don't think they've heard of customer service. Do yourself and your kid a favour and invest the money elsewhere.
The introductory promises are good and they are quick to get back to you when you open first open the account. After that....good luck
written by on 22/03/2010
Recommended by an IFA, I invested £25 a month for 10 years (£3000). Got back £2667 at maturity. Wont be doing it again!! Will be sticking my cash under the mattress in future.
written by on 08/03/2010
Applied for trust fund for my daughter. completed paperwork and sent back along with trust fund voucher. Childrens Mutual sent me details of the trust fund they had set up, and I was not impressed that not only was my daughter's names spelt wrong, but so were mine, they called me Mrs X!!! If a company cannot cope with administration checks and spellings of their customers names, I am not trusting them with my bank account details OR my daughter's savings for her future! I cancelled the policy. Children's Mutual wrote back to me confirming cancellation and apologising for their error, but STILL spelt my name wrong and again put a completely incorrect surname!
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Henrypagenewhaven's Response to henrypagenewhaven's Review
Written on: 08/01/2016
I have requested the forms from NAtionwide to transfer my son's CTF into a Junior ISA cash account with 3.25% AER. At least this may provide solid growth as the last 2 years with Children's Mutual has produced only a small LOSS.
He won't be able to access the money until he is 18 and at least it is likely to show a modest profit.