Money: Stroud's five-year 6.69% fix

Stroud & Swindon has a five-year, fixed rate at 6.69 per cent on loans up to 75 per cent of property value. Buyers must take out its buildings insurance. The redemption penalties are six months' interest in the first three years and three months' in the final two years. The application fee is pounds 250.

Birmingham Midshires has a four-year fix at 5.99 per cent for loans up to 60 per cent. Six months' interest is payable if the loan is redeemed within the four years. The fee is pounds 295.

Yorkshire Building Society has three new capped rates that allow buyers to gain from rate falls but escape rate rises. Buyers must have more than 10 per cent deposit. The rates are 6.1 until January 1996, 6.55 per cent until January 1997 or 6.95 per cent until 1998.

----------------------------------------------------------------- Mortgages ----------------------------------------------------------------- Type Source Deal Variable Northern Rock* 3.5% discounted rate on 90% loans Fixed BNP 6.75% for five years on 85% loans Capped TSB 7.25% on 95% loans for 5 years *Arrangement fee pounds 150. Insurance through Northern Rock. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Source: John Charcol 071-611 7000 -----------------------------------------------------------------