The Nationwide Building Society is readying itself for the provision of savings products to customers in the Republic of Ireland.
As long as the proposal is approved by both the FSA and the Irish equivalent then the Nationwide Building Society will begin selling savings products to Irish customers by telephone, online and through the post. The move is being seen as a good strategic option for the Nationwide as it expands their geographic coverage and increases the funding options.
Industry commentators have said that the Nationwide Building Society is already in a strong financial position so this step into Eire is set to improve that position still further.
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 Abbey National is making a one year fixed rate bond available for a limited period, with an interest rate of 6.75 percent.
To earn this high rate the bond needs an investment of at least GBP30,000, though anything from GBP1 upwards to that figure will still return a very attractive 6.35 percent. The Abbey National investment bond is on limited availability, with a window of less than a month to get money into it. Starting on August 4 the offer closes at the end of August.
The market really likes fixed rate savings bonds said an Abbey National spokesperson, hence their introduction of this particular one now. Anyone interested is advised to act quickly to ensure availability.
