Coventry postal rate of 8.1%

COVENTRY Building Society is offering the best postal account rates at 8.10 per cent gross. Rates are fixed until the end of July, but there is a snag - 10 days' loss of interest on withdrawals. North of England Building Society is offering the best rates in the market - 7.50 per cent on pounds 25,000 deposits - for account holders who do not want to face penalties for withdrawal.

Guaranteed income bond rates have crept up slightly in the past week. The best rates on pounds 2,000 bonds are being offered by Consolidated Life. A one-year bond attracts a return of 5 per cent, a two-year bond a 5.7 per cent annual return, a three- year bond 6.35 per cent, a four-year bond 6.45 per cent and a five-year bond brings an annual return of 6.5 per cent.