Spotlight: Interest Zone children's account from Coventry Building Society

Friday 03 April 1998 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Product: Interest Zone children's account from Coventry Building Society.

The Deal: Get them young and they are yours for life, as they say. This week it's the turn of Coventry, which is offering 7.75 per cent gross on savings in Interest Zone, the building society's young people's account.

Minimum savings are pounds 1, up to a maximum of pounds 5,000. Interest can be paid tax free on completion of a R85 form available from the society.

Plus Point: Coventry claims the new rate makes this the UK's leading instant access account for children. Unlike with some other kids' accounts, there are no penalties on withdrawals.

Interest Zone "comes complete with passbook and a specially designed wallet", as the blurb says. There are no other freebies, just a top interest rate.

Drawbacks and Risks: Marketing experts argue that to win young people themselves over to a savings account, you must offer sweeteners - money boxes, stickers, magazines, discount cards, CDs - to hook them in. They will remember you as they grow older.

Coventry's no-frills product heads in the opposite direction and is probably aimed at mums and dads opening accounts on their young children's behalf - though maybe kids in their early teens don't fall for all this naff stuff anyway.

The account is not postal-based, so if you do not live within Coventry's base area (Sheffield to Oxford, Stourbridge to Milton Keynes and points in-between), you can't sign up.

Marks out of five: Four. If you don't live in the area, try Britannia, Bradford & Bingley and Nationwide. They all have good rates.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in