The Alliance and Leicester has just announced a new savings account that pays interest at 9 percent gross per annum. It is a one year fixed rate account open to customers who invest in their Balanced Savings and Investment Plan.
The Balanced Savings and Investment Plan is made up of a portfolio bond and a savings account. The minimum deposit for the bond is GBP5,000 and at least GBP1,000 for the savings account. Before leaping in investors are advised by the Alliance and Leicester that the recommended term for the bond should be at least 5 years, meaning any money placed here should be left alone for a period of time.
An Alliance and Leicester spokesman said the offer combined a mix of short and medium term savings with the potential for excellent returns, much better than a regular savings account.
The Abbey National is aiming to help smokers kick the habit by encouraging them to save the money they would normally spend on cigarettes.
The typical 20 cigarettes a day smoker spends around GBP170 each month that could be used for many different and ultimately far better uses. Over the period of just a year a smoker who gives up and puts the money they would have spent into a monthly savings account such as the Abbey National Fixed Rate Monthly Saver would have a balance just 12 months later of almost GBP2,120.
An Abbey National spokesman urged smokers to think seriously about their options and consider the benefits of using a savings account to put money to one side. It can quickly build up into a tidy sum and the person becomes healthier into the bargain.
The Nationwide Building Society informs us that people are losing around GBP248 million through expired or unpaid Child Trust Fund vouchers.
According to data gathered by them a quarter if the vouchers have expired while over 40 percent of the valid ones have not been used so far this year. In financial terms this, said the Nationwide Building Society, means almost GBP13 million each year is being lost in interest earnings alone.
A further word of caution came from a Nationwide Building Society spokesman who explained that if a suitable provider is not chosen by the parents then the government can allocate one for them, though this may not be in the best interests of the child. Child Trust Fund Vouchers are an excellent tax efficient savings vehicle and it is a shame more people are not using them.
