Personal Finance: Loose Change

SKIPTON BUILDING Society is launching two new fixed-rate bonds. The first is a three-year bond, paying 6.25 per cent gross. It matures on 30 September 2002. The second is a two-year bond, paying 6 cent gross and maturing a year earlier. Minimum investment is pounds 3,000. Call 0345 025026.

NATWEST IS offering students who open one of its accounts before 30 November a cash gift of at least pounds 35 or a Panasonic portable compact disc player. If the account is opened at one of NatWest's students branches, the gift rises to pounds 50. Included is an interest-free overdraft of up to pounds 2,000.