loose change

Woolwich has launched a Premier Instant account paying variable rates starting at 3 per cent gross on savings below pounds 499, rising to 5 per cent gross for deposits above pounds 100,000. One free withdrawal per month is allowed. Details from branches.

Money World, the personal finance Internet website, is extending its free share-price service, provided in conjunction with Prestel On-line. From Monday, FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 share prices updated every 20 minutes up to 6pm. From July all share prices will appear on the pages. The service is available on www. moneyworld.co.uk/stocks.

Sainsbury's Bank has added personal loans to the services it offers customers. Loans of up to pounds 4,999 are available at a flat rate of 13.7 per cent APR, falling to 12.7 APR on sums borrowed of up to pounds 15,000. The loans have an initial three-month repayment "holiday". Call 0500 707070.

Yorkshire Building Society is launching a cashback offer worth up to pounds 5,000 on its cashback mortgages. The deal provides both a cashback worth up to 2 per cent cash offer on a maximum loan to value of 90 per cent, plus a 1 per cent discount on Yorkshire's variable rate for one year, currently standing at 7.29 per cent. Call 0800 378836.

Leeds & Holbeck Building Society is offering a new fee-free discounted mortgage. The loan cuts 1 per cent off the society's present 7.6 per cent variable rate for two years, plus there are no valuation, application or higher lending fees. Call 0500 225777

First National, the largest building society in Ireland, is increasing rates paid to UK savers. Balances in its 90-day notice account have risen 0.25 per cent to 7 per cent on balances over pounds 50,000. Savers who open a account before December will also receive a pounds 200 travel voucher. Call 0800 558844.