loose change

Direct Line, the telephone insurer, is increasing from 50 to 65 per cent the no-claims discount available to company car drivers when they switch to a private car. Call 0181-686 2468.

Black Horse Financial Services has published a free guide to pensions which aims to highlight the dangers of under-funding for retirement. For copies call 0800 269062.

Allenbridge Group, a financial research house, is offering a free copy of its Pep Talk magazine, with details of how to choose a personal equity plan, plus a review of 13 PEPs and rankings of over 1,000 PEPs. Call 0500 551000.

Moores Marr Bradley, a leading pension company, is offering free copies of its briefing document on the new Pensions Act, due to come into effect in April. The document, aimed at scheme members and trustees, explains what the Act means and how to prepare for it. Fax 01908 690369 with personal details.

Northern Rock building society, which announced plans to float on the stock exchange, is reminding more than 1.2 million members they must have a minimum of pounds 100 in their accounts as of 31 December to qualify for a vote on its proposals in spring 1997. Borrowers must owe pounds 100 or more. Voting entitles members to free shares on flotation.

BZW, the investment arm of Barclays bank, has opened the offer for subscription to shares in its Endowment Fund II. The fund, which is registered in Jersey, invests in traded endowment policies and has an intended life of 13 years. Minimum investments are pounds 2,000. Call 0500 202021 for a mini-prospectus.

Leeds & Holbeck building society is launching a Guaranteed Bonus Account , maturing in January 1988, which pays up to 7 per cent gross on savings above pounds 100,000. The account includes a 3 per cent bonus if savings are left untouched until then. Minimum deposits, paying 5.5 per cent, are pounds 3,000. Call 0113 225 7777.

Royal Bank of Scotland has launched a two-year stepped-interest Guaranteed Income Account. The scheme pays 6.5 per cent gross in year one on savings above pounds 50,000, rising to 7.75 per cent in year two. Details from RBS branches.

Nationwide building society is reducing the cost of its unsecured personal loans to 13.9 per cent APR on sums between pounds 7,000 and pounds 10,000. Details from branches.

TSB is launching repair insurance for electrical appliances, covering machines up to seven years old. Costs for a washing machine between one and four years old are pounds 4.50 a month, rising to pounds 6.50. CD player cover costs 75p from new, pounds 2.50 after four years. The policy covers call out charges, parts and labour. Details from TSB branches.

HSBC Asset Management, the world-wide fund manager, has launched a five- year capital-protected PEP offering the greater of a minimum 18 per cent tax-free return or all capital growth in the FTSE 100 share index. Investments up to pounds 9,000 are possible. Call 0800 656565.