loose change

Scottish Life International is launching a six-year UK-based Deposit Bonus Bond, offering a 34.5 per cent guaranteed minimum increase on capital invested or up to 69 per cent gross over the same period, depending on the performance of UK and US stock markets. Call 0131-456 6000.

Chelsea Building Society is launching a five-year fixed-rate mortgage, pegged at 7.59 per cent gross until October 2002. There is an arrangement fee of pounds 295, with no compulsory insurance. Loans are available up to 90 per cent of a property's value. Call 0800 616356.

FirstMortgage is offering a new two-year fixed loan, charging 5.2 per cent. The offer follows the recent sell-out of its previous two-year deal within a week. Call 0800 080088.

Newcastle Building Society is launching Direct 1, a one-year fixed-rate bond paying 7.25 per cent. Minimum investment is pounds 5,000, with a maximum of pounds 300,000. Call 0191-244 2455.

Midland Bank is offering credit card customers a 2 per cent discount on the bank's personal loan rates through its loyalty scheme, Choice Points. The bank is also offering a free booklet to help customers through the car-buying maze. The Haggler's Handbook is available on 0800 130130.

Sainsbury's loyalty card users can obtain extra benefits, other than those listed in last week's credit card story. A pounds 3,000 spend will give pounds 60 off at Beefeater or TGI Fridays. pounds 10,000 spent would gain pounds 100 in Sainsbury's vouchers or pounds 200 off restaurant meals.

Norwich Union is increasing the no-claims discount to 50 per cent on motorbikes covered by its Premier Bike insurance policy. The insurer is also offering a 24-hour telephone line with options which include breakdown cover, personal effects and personal accident cover. Contact local brokers for details.

Leeds and Holbeck Building Society is offering a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage, pegged at 8.19 per cent. Alternatively, borrowers can repay the loan over 10 years at a rate pegged at 7.99 per cent. The application fee is pounds 295. Call 0500 225777.

Irish Life is launching a range of offshore savings and retirement savings plans aimed at long-term investors and expatriates. The plans, which roll up growth free of tax, accept payments in any currency and accounts can be denominated in US dollars, sterling or deutschmarks. A 6 per cent initial charge is levied on deposits, plus a policy fee of pounds 25 in year one and pounds 5 a month thereafter, and an additional 1.35 per cent annual management charge. Write to: Irish Life, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.