Top rates climb

BRISTOL & West has put up the top rates on its 30-day notice monthly income account to 7.6 per cent gross on pounds 50,000 deposits and 7.55 per cent on pounds 25,000 deposits. Birmingham Midshires is offering 7.6 per cent on its instant access account for deposits of pounds 100,000.

Hinckley & Rugby charges a 90-day loss of interest penalty when funds are transferred. The Dunfermline Building Society offers an 8 per cent interest rate on minimum deposits of pounds 3,000. Transfers require one month's notice and incur a month's loss of interest.

----------------------------------------------------------------- SIX OF THE BEST ----------------------------------------------------------------- Savings Type Account Term *0% *25% *40% Min GIB Consolidated Life 5 years 6.50 6.50 5.52 pds 2,000 B Soc Northern Rock Instant 7.55 5.66 4.53 pds 20,000 Tessa Hinckley & Rugby 5 years 8.05 8.05 8.05 pds 25 ----------------------------------------------------------------- *Compounded annual rate except for GIB (guaranteed income bond) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Chase De Vere 071-404 5766 -----------------------------------------------------------------