Personal finance: Loose change

STAFFORDSHIRE BUILDING Society claims its new Fixed Rate Mortgage at 4.95 per cent until May 2004 is the best fixed rate ever - probably. There are no redemption charges after May 2004, no compulsory insurances and initial fees of pounds 295 can be added to the loan. Call 0800-216121 for details

BEST INVESTMENT is offering readers a free copy of Spot the Dog 99, their annual guide to poorly-performing PEP funds, as well as a free review of investors' own portfolios. Call 0990 112255 for details.

GUARANTEED BOND rates continue to fall, and brokers Baronsworth are encouraging investors to consider other low-risk investments - ie with- profit bonds. If you are interested, call 100 and ask for Freephone Bondline for comparative guides.

A FREE Corporate Bond PEP guide is being offered byChartwell Investment Management, including different types of Bond PEP and the effects of coming tax changes and listing five recommended investments. Call 01225-446556 or write to 9 Kingsmead Square Bath.

THE COST of motor insurance is set to rise by at least 10-15 per cent this year according to specialist motor brokers Footman James. The company recommends opting for named drivers only, restricted use and limited mileage wherever possible, with legal expenses covered free, and of course using a broker!

NEVILLE JAMES, another market maker in traded endowment policies, is offering with-profits policy-holders a free valuation to establish current market values. Policy-holders who need to dispose of their policies can see if they would do better to sell rather than surrender the policy, and those who want to hold on can see whether their policies are likely to pay off the mortgage when it becomes due.