A new Natwest Bank savings account has been launched that is designed for first time buyers looking to put money away for a house deposit.
Called the First Home Saver Account this new Natwest Bank account gives a massive GBP5,000 cashback upon completing a Natwest Bank mortgage. The proviso is that the customer must have had the account and kept at least the minimum balance in each specified tier for six months.
The account pays interest up to 3.1 percent AER and needs just GBP100 to open. Of course it is the cashback offer that will be the biggest draw for potential Natwest Bank savings account customers since it is a large sum of money, especially for first time buyers.
Find the best rates on Natwest Bank Savings Accounts.
For anyone looking for a high interest paying investment option the Abbey National has just launched a one year fixed rate bond that offers a 7.01 percent interest rate.
The minimum investment amount is GBP30,000, with a maximum of GBP2 million, enough for most people. The Abbey National bond is a one year term, with an expiry date of 1 July 2009. This means that investors will have to act smartly to get their funds in within the deadline.
An Abbey National spokesman confirmed that the current market for savings and investments is the best it has been for many years and is urging consumers to take advantage of the situation while it is available.
A Sainsburys Bank spokesman feels that there are more restrictions and conditions applied to savings accounts than ever before.
Having looked at the current state of the market the Sainsburys Bank spokesman has noticed how many savings accounts have restrictions on withdrawal amounts and periods, as well as how it impacts on interest rates, with some quite hefty penalties on some for making withdrawals during the year.
Another aspect that has been noted is the use of age limits on some savings accounts, targeting either the younger or older market. Ideally all categories of customer should be able to enjoy similar levels of interest and benefits believes the Sainsburys Bank spokesman.
