Is now a good time to invest?

Helen McGinty, Head of Financial Advice Distribution
25 June 2025

Slowly but surely, interest rates are coming down. Finally, you may be thinking. After three years of higher mortgage rates, better deals and lower monthly payments could be on the horizon. But if you have a savings account, it can certainly feel like a bittersweet scenario. 

You may have already noticed that savings rates aren’t as high as last year. Inevitably, this means lower returns every month. So, if you’re trying to grow your savings over time, this could make it harder to achieve your goals. 

Not the nicest feeling, I know. But it doesn’t mean it's the end of the road for your long-term savings. If you’re serious about boosting your money over the next few years, now could be the time to explore other options – like investing.

I get it – investing can feel like a big step if you’re new to it.

My job is to support our team of financial advisers, who chat with customers daily about their financial goals. So, I fully understand the reservations people have when it comes to investing their money. Yet equally, I’ve seen the positive impacts investing can have when done right.

It all comes down to having an investment strategy that’s right for you and your goals, which I’ll come to in a few moments. By having the right strategy, you could feel more comfortable when you invest – and give your money the chance to work harder over time. You’ll also need to be comfortable with accepting some risk to your money.

What is investing?

Investing is when you use your money to try and make more money over time. There are different types of investments you can put your money into – such as stocks, bonds, property, and cash. These perform and behave in different ways, which is why we recommend having a balanced portfolio. (More on this below.)

The benefits of investing

• Investing could help you achieve your bigger financial goals, like buying a home, retiring, or helping your kids out in the future.
• Your money has more chance to grow to a greater level over time than a savings account and keep up with inflation (the rising cost of living).
• You have the flexibility to invest in a range of investments – and invest in a way that’s right for you.

Investing could be right for you if:

• You’re comfortable knowing that the value of your investments could go up or down.
• You don’t need access to your money for at least the next five years.
• You want greater potential growth than a savings account.

Let’s talk about risk

Yes, the elephant in the room. There is a risk that you could lose money. No one likes to hear the word ‘risk’ when it comes to their money. It’s one of the biggest reasons people avoid investing. But while there’s always some risk involved, the right investment approach could help you manage it better and invest confidently.

Understanding risk can help you take control

1. We can advise you while level of risk is right for you. Everyone has a different comfort zone with investing. Understanding yours can help you invest in products that match your risk appetite
2. There are smart ways to help you manage risk. Here’s how you could invest with more confidence
   • Have a balanced investment portfolio
     A balanced portfolio is when you invest in a few different things – including stocks, cash, property, and bonds. The more you’re invested in, the less reliant you are on a single one – so when one area struggles, others may perform well – helping to balance out your return.
   • Invest for the long term
     Patience pays off when you invest. The longer you stay invested, the more time your money has to recover from short-term market dips – giving you a better chance of seeing a positive return overall.
   • Speak to an expert
     Investing can be complex – but you don’t have to go it alone. A financial adviser can help you understand your risk appetite, choose investments that match your goals, and give you a better chance of achieving what you want from our money.

Saving versus investing

Savings accounts can be great for your short-term savings – money you might need soon. They’re often seen as the safest place to keep your cash. But when it comes to growing your money for the future, relying solely on savings accounts could hold you back.

Over time, the interest rates on savings accounts may struggle to keep up with inflation. In this case, your money would gradually lose its value – making it harder to reach your financial goals.

Investing could help your money work harder. It offers the potential for higher returns, helping your money grow and keep pace with inflation over the long term. Although investing does come with risk, it could give your money a better chance to grow over time than in cash.

Still a bit confused? Don’t worry

Investing isn’t the easiest topic to get your head around. That’s why we recommend speaking to a financial adviser.

For over 30 years, we’ve helped thousands of people like you get more from their money. Our experts could help you work out if investing is right for you – before providing personalised recommendations.

• There’s no upfront cost for your initial meeting with a financial adviser.
• A charge will only apply if you decide to act on our financial advice.
• There’s no pressure to act.

Your next steps

1. Call our friendly team on 0345 600 6898 to discuss your situation to work out if financial advice could be a good step for you.
2. If you’d like to chat with one of our financial advisers, you can book a free initial review appointment at a branch or over video.