The Halifax has so far reunited holders of accounts that have been forgotten about with over GBP16.5 million of their savings since starting its campaign earlier this year.
Over 7,200 people have had money paid to them by the Halifax since February this year, working out at an average of over GBP2,300 per person. The process began by looking at 25,000 dormant savings accounts, some of which had considerable sums in them. A spokesman from the Halifax said that over two thirds of the accounts that held more than GBP50,000 had been accounted for and the funds passed on to the owners.
The Halifax will continue with the remainder of the accounts but also introduce another 150,000 into the mix, worth another GBP30 million. Customers do not have to do anything, since the Halifax are searching for the owners. However it could speed up the process to get in touch with them should you have an account like this.
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.
Marks and Spencer have announced their new Ethical Investment Fund which will invest in UK based organisations that make a positive contribution both to the environment and the communities in which they have an effect.
Investors are driven by more than just money now, wishing to consider where their money is invested as well as how much it earns. The M&S Ethical Investment Fund is perfect then for this type of conscientious investor and is also expecting to generate good returns too. In fact an ethical fund topped the charts of all investment funds only last week, so there is clearly plenty of growth potential.
The fund will be managed jointly by Jupiter Asset Management and Sinopia Asset Mgt, two organisations with good track records in the ethical investment arena. For those wishing to learn more about the new fund there is information available via the Marks and Spencer website.
