Glossary › Front-end load
The front-end load is a one-off fee charged when buying fund units, stated as a maximum percentage of the amount invested.
The load usually goes to the distributor – bank, adviser or platform – not to the fund. The prospectus only states the maximum; what is actually charged depends on the distribution channel. With online brokers and fee-based advice it is often waived wholly or partly; when buying through advice it is frequently charged in full.
Because the load is due immediately, it weighs more the shorter one stays invested: 5% on entry first has to be earned back. With semi-liquid funds an early exit may also cost extra through a lock-up or redemption deduction. Some newer ELTIFs charge no load and pay distributors through a separate share class with higher ongoing costs – this too should be taken into account when comparing.
For 130 active funds the prospectus states a maximum rate. 55 charge no front-end load, 75 do. Where it is charged, it ranges from 0.5% to 5%; 43 funds state the top rate of 5%.
Lowest, middle and highest front-end load · as at 16 Oct 2026