A new Halifax savings account, offering an outstanding 10 percent interest rate for regular savers will be made available for a limited period of just 6 weeks, beginning on Monday.
The stand alone savings account requires a minimum monthly deposit of GBP500 each month to qualify and will also pay out an extra 2 percent interest should the customer place an extra GBP5,000 in a specified Halifax savings account. This would add up to 12 percent AER, something that the savings market does not normally see.
A Halifax spokesman stood by this market leading savings account and supported the way it promotes the habit of regular saving. It is a key part of consumers financial planning and this level of interest certainly gets attention.
The Abbey National has announced a reduction in the interest rates offered on several of its savings accounts, with cuts of 0.25 percent to match the recent base rate cut by the Bank of England.
Commencing on 1 May all Abbey National savings accounts with the exception of the eSaver Direct, Super 50 Plus and 50 Plus Saver will have the 0.25 percent cut on their rates. These ones mentioned will keep their rates as they were.
The Abbey National savings and investments director said that although the rates had been reduced on their accounts it was important to have a savings plan in place, especially in the current economic climate. It is a very competitive market and Abbey are committed to doing the best for their customers.
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.
