Skipton International has launched an 18-month fixed-rate bond just a few weeks after Permanent Bank International produced its 18-month deal. The Skipton deal just beats Permanent on the interest rate, plus the minimum deposit required is smaller. The new Skipton International deal is 1.75pc on a minimum of £10,000. Permanent International’s 18-month version is 1.69pc on a minimum £20,000.
The interest rate from Skipton International also beats the Permanent Bank International three-year rate and comes close to the Nationwide International three-year deal of 1.85pc. It makes the current crop of one-year fixed-rate deals look less attractive. You can get 1.45pc from Nationwide International or 1.4pc from Permanent International fixed for one year; the former on a minimum investment of £50,000, the latter on £20,000. Santander also offers monthly income on its fixed-rate bonds.
These rates can easily be beaten, and coming to Blacktower for advice could save you losing a small fortune, as independent advisers we can tailor our recommendation to suit you, we would be looking to gain between 4 and 10% depending on your circumstances. Monthly income can be received to boost your spending power and your capital can grow at the same time.
Given how confusing this can all be we are urging people to take advice before deciding what to do from a reputable regulated adviser.
This month the two main pensions regulatory bodies, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR), announced that they have joined forces to improve the prospects of retirees and pension savers. Previously, the two have worked together in an attempt to protect savers from pension scams.
The Government has revealed that the proposed annuity flexibility plan which was announced in April 2015 – along with all the new pension flexibility changes that are now in force – is not going to go ahead.