Investment Bonds

Investors who switch from bonds into other types of investment product for tax advantage are likely to be no better off in most cases - and may actually be worse off in some instances - according to research by Standard Life.

A key announcement in Alistair Darling’s budget speech was that the rules regarding Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for collectives will change from April 2008.

NS& I (National Savings and Investments) is to launch a new issue of its Guaranteed Equity Bond on 12 March 2008. This will offer a gross return that matches FTSE 100 Index growth, up to a maximum return of 70%, over the five year term of the Bond, without any risk to investors' capital.

Winterthur announces its entry into the offshore market. Winterthur International, the new offshore Winterthur business, launches this week with the International Investment Bond provided by AXA Isle of Man.

Fidelity FundsNetwork is set to launch its Investment Bond Spring Sale with a double special offer for advisers and their clients to take advantage of.

Barclays is launching a new investment plan paying an annual income of 7.25 per cent as IFA demand for products with quantifiable risk / return profiles continues to mount.

In its latest report, “Unit Linked Bonds in the UK 2007”, Defaqto examines the pressures that are undermining these saving instruments and how they will affect their appeal to investors.

Friends Provident, the FTSE 100 life and pensions company, has added a further 18 new funds to its recently launched FRIENDS Wealth Solutions Bond, as part of its plans to boost its wealth management offering.

Leeds Building Society has launched the ideal product for customers wishing to benefit from the growth potential of the stock market combined with a guaranteed interest rate.

Legal & General is pleased to offer an additional 2% allocation of units for all investments into their With Profits Growth and Income Bonds before the end of the year.

The majority of people have a short-term attitude to saving, prioritising holidays above their own and their family’s financial future, according to a survey by Riley, the individually insured investment from Royal London.

Abbey has launched two new capital guaranteed deposit bonds and a new investment plan. These products guarantee the full return of capital at maturity and different benefits depending on the link to the underlying investment.

Following the launch of Guaranteed Equity Bond (Issue 1) earlier this year, Chelsea have decided to launch an alternative style of equity product – the Chelsea 50:50 Balance Bond.

Bank Of Ireland (I.O.M.) Limited, in conjunction with its branch Bristol & West International, based in Guernsey, has launched the International Kick-Out Bond.

Leeds Building Society is set to launch a new Inflation Buster Bond (available from Wednesday October 10th) which has proved extremely popular with customers looking for a real return from their savings.