Friends Provident unveils the new Wealth Solutions Bond

Friends Provident, the FTSE 100 life and pensions company, has launched its new Friends Wealth Solutions Bond.

The new bond supports Friends Provident’s intention to develop its wealth management offering, by offering a flexible lump sum investment vehicle with a broad range of high quality funds.

The Friends Wealth Solutions Bond is designed to move Friends Provident’s wealth management offering towards a ‘One Bond Vision’ by simplifying its existing range but still offering multiple solutions for a wide range of investors.

It is aimed at investors aged between 18 and 89, with a minimum investment amount of £10,000, with access available to over 100 funds across a range of fund classes. For customers between 18-84, with £50,000 to invest, who wish to mitigate inheritance tax, the Discounted Gift Plan provides a tax efficient vehicle.

Wealth Solutions Bond key benefits

Special Offer launch promotion offers an Extra 0.5% allocation rate – until 30 June 2008*
A wide range of funds available including 11 ethical funds.
Regular withdrawals can be taken to provide a tax efficient income
Loyalty bonus – A bonus of 2.2% will be paid over the course of year 10. Not DGT investors.
Tax efficient features for both inheritance tax and income tax
Range of trust solutions available

* Friends Provident reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without prior notice, to withdraw the special offer before, or extend it past, the review date of 30 June 2008.

Christine Foyster, head of wealth management marketing at Friends Provident, said: “The Wealth Solutions Bond has been launched in response to feedback from customers and advisers and is designed to move our existing range of products towards a ‘One Bond Vision’. While our current Investment Portfolio Bond, Ethical Investment Bond, and Discounted Gift Bond products have been a mainstay for the Wealth Management proposition, the financial services market never stands still, and as needs change, we want to continue to offer the best solutions possible.”

“We want to actively encourage customers to save in a way that makes the best use of tax allowances and provides the best possible return on investment. With further enhancements planned over the coming months the bond will be a market leading product that offers customers sophisticated financial solutions throughout their lifetime.”