Midshires' 7.6% gross

BIRMINGHAM Midshires Building Society is offering a gross return of 7.60 per cent on deposits of pounds 100,000 on its instant access account.

Financial Assurance has launched a five-year guaranteed escalator bond. Rates rise from 5.75 per cent in year one to 6.0 per cent in year two, 6.25 per cent in year three, 6.70 per cent in year four and 7.0 per cent in year five.

Prosperity Financial Services' three-year guaranteed income bond pays 6.1 per cent on pounds 25,000, while Templeton Life pays 6.5 per cent on a five-year GIB with a minimum investment of pounds 2,000.