In Brief

Commercial fixed loans

NORWICH and Peterborough Building Society is offering commercial and semi- commercial loans, fixed at 8.99 per cent for two years.

After that they revert to a negotiable 1 or 1.5 per cent above variable residential rates. For details call the commercial lending department on 0733 371371.

Next-day cash

Yorkshire Building Society is offering a next-day delivery service for travel money. An order placed before 12.30pm will be available for collection 24 hours later. A pounds 5 Boots gift voucher is offered for orders over pounds 500.

Cheaper overdrafts

Britannia Building Society has cut authorised overdraft charges from 18.3 per cent to an annualised rate of 12.02 per cent on its React365 current account.

Insurance hotline

RAC Insurance Services has launched First Response, a 24-hour telephone service allowing clients to obtain assistance as well as to alter policy details when necessary. Details on 0345 121345.

Claims speed-up

Churchill Insurance, the direct insurer, is offering a free 24-hour emergency helpline to anyone taking out motor cover, plus immediate authorisation of motor claims without estimates if carried out through Churchill's network of repairers. Call 0800 200300 for details.

Compensation

Former clients of Chambers & Buck, investment managers based in Nottingham, may be able to claim compensation for losses from the Investors Compensation Scheme. Call 071 628 8820.

Top-up pension

Abbey National has a top-up pension scheme which includes life cover and term assurance options.

PEP offer

Family Assurance Friendly Society is offering savers the chance to invest in a PEP, a tax-free investment scheme, for as little as pounds 9 a month if they are already members or pounds 25 a month if new investors. Call 0800 616695.

Unit discount

Guinness Flight is offering a 2 per cent discount on a wide range of its unit trusts throughout August. The discount does not apply to PEP investments. Call 071 522 2111 for details.

Premiums cut

Norwich Union is cutting premiums on household insurance by 7.5 per cent for homeowners over 30. This rises to 17.5 per cent for over-60s. Call 0345 667668.

For Volvo owners

Volvo drivers are being offered cheaper insurance by Hill House Hammond, the insurance brokers. Call 0272 294971 for details.

Horse sense

Bankers Equine Direct is offering horse insurance by telephone including a five- day claims settlement guarantee, no-claims bonuses for renewals and no extra charges for monthly payments. Call 071 623 2623.