Safety 'most important consideration' for investors

Safety is what six out of ten investors look for when choosing where to put their money, a new survey shows.

Fair Investment Company found that 61 per cent believe safety is the most important consideration when making investment decisions.

By comparison, just 31 per cent said they think about returns above all else.

Nick Scarrett, head of pensions and investments at Fair Investment Company, said the recession has prompted a shift in people's attitudes.

Indeed, he pointed out that prior to the credit crunch, most people simply could not envisage a major bank collapsing.

"Now they have seen it happen and are much happier going for a safer institution with slightly less competitive rates than risking their money for a few extra percentage points," he explained.

The findings follow figures released by Fair Investment Company last month, which showed that ISA applications were up by 52 per cent in the first three days of the new tax year compared to the same period in 2009.

They revealed that 37 per cent of investors plan to use their full tax-free savings allowances this year.