Chelsea offers three-year bond: First Mortgage's loan is a slow mover

CHELSEA Building Society is launching a three-year fixed rate bond offering an annual interest of 7.6 per cent gross. The bond will be a limited issue with a minimum investment of pounds 10,000. At the end of the three years, investors can have instant access to funds. If investors choose monthly interest, the rate is 7.35 per cent gross.

Bristol & West is offering a five-year, fixed-rate bond with a rate of 7.6 per cent gross per annum for investments of pounds 5,000- pounds 1m. The offer is limited and is available from 9 April.

Woolwich is launching a five year investment account with staggered returns. Rates start at 5.25 per cent and rise to 9.25 per cent.

FIRST Mortgage Securities has a five-year loan that will move by only half the movement in base rates. The starting point is 7.75 per cent for repayment loans and 7.95 per cent for interest-only loans. The redemption penalty is one month's interest.

Royal Bank of Scotland has a range of capped loans - two years at 6.35 per cent, three years at 7.45 per cent and five years at 7.89 per cent for 80 per cent loans. Caps for loans up to 95 and 100 per cent are also available. A five- year cap on a 100 per cent loan would be at 8.75 per cent. All loans have a pounds 295 fee.

Norwich & Peterborough will arrange 100 per cent loans to graduates earning at least pounds 15,000.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- SIX OF THE BEST --------------------------------------------------------------------- Savings --------------------------------------------------------------------- Type Account Term 0% 25% 40% Min GIB General Portfolio 4 years 6.1 6.1 5.19 pounds 50,000 B Soc Northern Rock Instant 6.75 5.06 4.05 pounds 25,000 Tessa Hinkley & Rugby 5 years 7.60 7.60 7.60 pounds 3,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Compounded annual rate except for GIB (guaranteed income bond) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Chase De Vere 071-404 5766 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mortgages --------------------------------------------------------------------- Type Source Deal Variable Northern Rock* 2.99% discounted rate on 90% loans Fixed Bristol & West 7.3% 5 years on 80% loans Capped Royal Bank of Scotland 7.89% 5 years on 80% loans --------------------------------------------------------------------- *Arrangement fee of pounds 150. Household insurance through Northern Rock. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: John Charcol 071-611 7000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------