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.
The Alliance and Leicester has extended the offer period on its 9 percent gross interest paying fixed rate savings account to give more customers the opportunity to benefit.
The one year deal is open to Alliance and Leicester customers who invest in the Balanced Savings and Investment Plan, which brings together the savings account already mentioned and an investment bond. The bond is designed to offer good returns over the medium term, typically around 5 years, while the savings account gives customers a great benefit in the short term.
Investment bonds have grown in popularity recently as investors look for safe homes for their money where growth can still be achieved and this Alliance and Leicester offer which combines the high interest savings account delivers all that and more.
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.
