5 April 2008

Brewin Dolphin, the UK’s largest independent private client portfolio manager, has achieved its highest ISA sales for six years, with subscriptions totalling over £122 million bringing its total funds in ISAs to £2.3 billion. This represents an 11.8% increase on the figure for 2007 of £109 million and bucks the national trend for ISA sales which are expected to be the lowest since their introduction almost 10 years ago.

David McCorkell, Head of Investment Management at Brewin Dolphin commented: “ISA sales have really taken off this year and as usual nearly 30% of ISA subscriptions have been made in the last two weeks of the tax year. The increase is in part a reflection of the expansion of the business, the client base and the funds under management.”

“Our clients’ ISAs are managed in line with the agreed investment strategy for their portfolios, however, given the recent volatility of the stockmarket we are constantly reviewing our investment stance. The theme that has dominated the recent influx into ISA’s has been understandably defensive and in many cases we are holding cash pending investment – preferring to drip into the market on low days.”

“Given the popularity of ISAs, it was disappointing that the first ever increase in the equity ISA allowance since 1997 amounted to only £200, when during the last ten years the UK’s savings to income ratio has halved. However, we have now amalgamated our clients PEPs and ISAs which will simplify our reporting arrangements and cut the administration costs to our clients.”

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For further information:

David McCorkell, Head of Investment Management
Brewin Dolphin Securities
020 7248 3324

Alistair Kellie / Ewan Robertson
Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571

About Brewin Dolphin

Brewin Dolphin Limited (“BD”) is the principal operating company of Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. BD is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

BD is the largest independent private client investment manager in the UK. The Group manages £21.6 billion of funds for over 120,000 clients, and of this £10.7 billion is on a discretionary basis. BD has 39 offices and is corporate adviser to 131 corporate and 100 institutional clients. Brewin Dolphin Investment Banking was voted AIM Broker of the Year 2007.

The Group provides complete investment management for private investors, charities and pension funds and trades as:

Brewin Dolphin in England, Wales and the Channel Islands
Bell Lawrie in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Stocktrade is the BD Execution-Only division. www.stocktrade.co.uk

Please see Media Centre section on www.brewindolphin.co.uk for details and photos of all commentators and analysts throughout the BD Group.