Savings & Investments

A question about : % rise announcements

Abbey announce impending new rates for eSaver a/c (effective Sept 1+) :

Ј1+ 4.60% (+ 0.50% for 1st 6 months of opening the a/c)
Ј50,000+ 4.70% (ditto)
100,000+ 4.80% (ditto)
200,000+ 4.90% (ditto)

It's not enough for those of us who already hold the a/c (so nil introductory bonus), but at least they have passed on the full 0.25% Base Rate rise. Praise due, also, for announcing it online now rather than keep customers wondering for 3 weeks.

A question about : Savings for Babies

Hi all
Just had another baby and want to put his child benefit plus a few more quid regularly into savings for when he is 18. At the moment for son number 1 I have a Scarborough fixed bond account thing but with me not needing the money for another 18 years I suppose I should look into unit trusts or something.
I know this is something people can't accurately advise on on here ( I would assume) but is there anywhere I can start doing some research?
Many thanks
Macca

A question about : staff xmas club

Please help, we've run a staff xmas club for a couple of years now and on average we get Ј3.50 per year interest. I'm looking for an account that can have varied amounts paid in monthly and be withdrawn in total at the beginning of december. Usually we pay in about Ј500 per month and do sometimes have to make early withdrawals for people that leave, but we are willing to stop the withdrawals if necessary.

Best answers:

A question about : Halifax regular saver account 6.05%

This account pays a healthy 6.05% but limits the investment to Ј3000.

Is it possible to open this account with an investment of Ј2,700 then 12 monthly payments of Ј25 ?

I am currently awaiting the blurb from Halifax but thought that the savie money saving experts might know.

A question about : H-L introduces a Tracker Platform Charge

It appears that Hargreaves Lansdown are to start charging a platform fee of Ј2 per month per HSBC Index fund from 31 Dec 11. We have all been expecting some sort of charge since these funds became more popular but I think Ј24 per year per fund is very steep so I'll be off to pastures new!

A question about : Fixed rate bonds and % rise.

Hello. I'm thinking of getting a fixed rate bond for 1-2 yrs. Is it best to get one straight away or wait until the interest rises has finalised? Do interest rate rises affect fixed rate products or just variable? e.g Could the provider issue a new fixed rate bond due to the interest rate rise?
Thanks.

A question about : Which bank is offers the best AER for savings?

My gf is trying to encourage me to save (for a better future) but I just want to contribute some part of my wage into a separate current savings account...

Which bank or online bank offers a better rate than 3.04% AER at smile?

https://www.smile.co.uk

I currently earn 15k per annum

All replies much appreciated.

A question about : Best way to buy Gold bars or coins?

Hi,

I have between Ј1000 - Ј2000 to invest and I was thinking about buying some Gold. Does anyone have any recommendations on where/what to buy? I've tried googling but it all looks a lot more complicated than I first thought....I thought I would just send off for some kruggerands or something but it looks like that is not the best way to do it

:confused:

Thanks,
Mark Morb