According to the online investment platform, growing consumer awareness around fund charging, combined with last minute ISA investing before the end of the tax-year, led to a 268% increase in no-commission clean fund purchases on their site in March.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) announced in March it would tax ‘loyalty bonuses’ made to investors by fund groups from April. This means investors who get discount bonuses will now have to pay basic or higher-rate income tax on that money.

At the time, Ben Yearsley, head of investment research at Charles Stanley Direct said: “The simplest option for investors is to invest in clean units now, paying explicit platform fees on top. Not only will the client’s annual costs be lower and performance boosted, but there is no tax implication or bill either.”

Stuart Welch, CEO of TD Direct Investing, said: “This has resulted in a double appearance for Aberdeen Emerging Markets in the top ten buys table for March.

“The fund, which is a firm favourite among our clients, sees both the trail bearing and clean versions appear in first and eight positions respectively.

“Meanwhile, the second most popular fund among our clients, First State’s Global Emerging Market Leaders, also sees its clean equivalent sitting just outside the top ten buys in 12th position.”

The TD Direct Investing client Top 10 fund buys March 2013

Read our guide to what ‘clean funds’ are and how they affect investors’ portfolios.