Latest Savings Commentary

Income is king

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 May 2012

Investing for income is always a popular investment theme, never more so than in recent months with income solutions ruling the roost over the ISA season for both the cash ISAs and investment ISAs. ... Read more

7% potential annual income, capital protected

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 May 2012

"The latest Fair Investment Income Deposit Plan offers capital protection plus the potential to earn 7% for each year the FTSE 100 remains between 4,500 and 7,000 points (yesterday’s clos... Read more

The savings dilemma and the rise of alternatives

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 01 May 2012

The economic landscape continues to create a real dilemma for savings and put a spotlight on the fixed rate bond. With yields on these lowering amid continued pressures on getting the most out of yo... Read more

Inflation Beating Savings Plans

"Even though National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has withdrawn its index-linked savings plan, you can still find a home for your savings with the potential to beat or track retail price inflation (RPI). In the table below you will find several plans aiming to achieve this. These plans have full capital protection from UK banks.

Oliver Roylance-Smith head of savings and investments

Inflation Beating Plans - Growth

Provider	Plan Name	Deposit Taker	Term	Maximum Potential Return	More Info
	FTSE 100 3 Year Deposit Plan	Investec Bank plc	3 years	17.25%	More Info >
3 year structured deposit plan Capital protected Target return of 17.25% Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	Deposit Kick Out	Royal Bank of Scotland plc	Up to 6 years	9.50% per annum	More Info >
Structured deposit plan with a term of up to 6 years Capital protected Available as a Cash ISA & for Cash ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Returns linked to the performance of 5 FTSE 100 Companies Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	Growth Deposit Plan	Royal Bank of Scotland plc	6 Years	7.60% per annum	More Info >
6 year structured deposit plan Capital protected Available for Cash ISA & Cash ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Growth is not guaranteed Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	FTSE 100 Kick Out Deposit Plan - Option 2	Investec Bank plc	Up to 5 years	6.00% per annum	More Info >
5 year structured deposit plan Capital protected Potential for early maturity after years 2,3 and 4 Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	FTSE 100 Deposit Growth Plan	Investec Bank plc	5 years	No limit	More Info >
5 year structured deposit plan Capital protected Potential to return 1.05 x FTSE 100 growth Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	Growth Deposit Bond	Cater Allen	6 years	50%	More Info >
6 year structured deposit plan Capital protected Target return of 9.00% or if greater 1 x any FTSE 100 growth (capped at 50%) Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	Enhanced Growth Plan	Santander UK plc	6 years	40%	More Info >
6 year structured deposit plan Capital protected 4 x any rise in the FTSE 100 capped at 40% Available as a Cash ISA & for Cash ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	Annual Locked-In Return Plan	Santander UK plc	6 years	39%	More Info >
6 year structured deposit plan Capital protected 6.5% potential annual return Available for Cash ISAs & Cash ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed
	FTSE Protected Growth Plan		6 years	35%	More Info >
6 year structured investment plan Capital protected Potential for early maturity growth return of 35% Available for ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed

Important Information: Structured deposits offer you the potential to earn higher returns than you would with a regular savings account. Your returns are based on the performance of an index or commodity. If the investment does not perform well you may receive no income or capital growth, but you can be confident that your capital will be repaid. You have no access to your deposit during the term of the account, typically 3 to 6 years but your original capital will be repaid in full at the end of the term. In the event that the deposit taker is unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated you may be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) depending on your individual circumstances.

Inflation Beating Plans - Income

Provider	Plan Name	Deposit Taker	ISA Option	Term	Maximum Potential Return	More Info
	Income Deposit Plan	Royal Bank of Scotland plc		6 Years	7.00% per annum	More Info >
6 year structured deposit plan Capital protected Available for Cash ISA & Cash ISA transfers Also available to businesses, charities and trusts Income is not guaranteed Plan designed to be held for full term May close early if oversubscribed

Income Deposit Plan

Royal Bank of Scotland plc

6 Years

7.00%
per annum

More Info >

6 year structured deposit plan
Capital protected
Available for Cash ISA & Cash ISA transfers
Also available to businesses, charities and trusts

Income is not guaranteed
Plan designed to be held for full term
May close early if oversubscribed

Important Information: Structured deposits offer you the potential to earn higher returns than you would with a regular savings account. Your returns are based on the performance of an index or commodity. If the investment does not perform well you may receive no income or capital growth, but you can be confident that your capital will be repaid. You have no access to your deposit during the term of the account, typically 3 to 6 years but your original capital will be repaid in full at the end of the term. In the event that the deposit taker is unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated you may be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) depending on your individual circumstances.

Compare and find our best savings plans

Savers worried about the effects of inflation on their savings should shop around to ensure they are getting the best returns they can on their cash. With retail price inflation measured at 5.6% in September 2011 (Source: Office of National Statistics) means conventional instant access and fixed rate bonds currently on offer at the time of writing are struggling to ensure that your money maintains its value in real terms.

The above inflation beating plans provide alternative solutions to conventional fixed rate bonds and are worth considering.

How does inflation impact savings?

The economic definition of inflation is the sustained rise of the price of goods and services over a period of time. A good way to think about the impact of inflation on the buying power of your money is in terms of a “shopping basket” of goods and services that you typically buy in a given month. While the impact of inflation may be difficult to see month on month over a period of years the erosionary effect on the buying power of your pound can be clear to see. For example the average cost of a loaf of sliced white bread (800g) in 1999 was 51p and in 2009 this cost had risen to £1.26, a rise of 147% (Source: Office of National Statistics).