ISAs

Scottish Friendly has launched the My Team Select (ISA). From today (May 9) anyone who opens a My Team Select (ISA) through the Scottish Friendly website will recieve a £25 gift and choose which nation they’re supporting in the upcoming football World Cup. There’s a second £25 gift for anyone who selected the winning team.

Funds

Woodford Investment Management, the asset management company founded by star manager Neil Woodford, will launch its first fund on 2 June. The CF Woodford Equity Income fund, managed by Woodford himself, will focus on valuation and companies that can deliver sustainable dividend growth. It will carry a simplified pricing structure starting at 0.65 per cent.

Woodford’s former firm Invesco Perpetual will launch the Invesco Perpetual Global Distribution fund on 9 May. It will be managed by co-heads of Fixed Interest Paul Causer and Paul Read. The fund will seek to provide a balance of income and capital growth through a portfolio of fixed income securities and global equities.

Mortgages

Leeds Building Society has launched the only 10-year Help to Buy mortgage currently on the market. It has an interest rate of 4.99 per cent with six months interest free at the start of the term. This introductory offer is also available for two and five year Help to Buy mortgages.

Halifax has introduced a new offer designed to help first time buyers and home movers this week, offering them £500 cashback and no product fees on selected two and five year fixed rate mortgages. Interest rates for first time buyers range from 3.14 per cent to 5.59 per cent. Homemover mortgage interest rates start at 2.64 per cent for a 60 per cent loan-to-value two-year fixed rate mortgage.

Nationwide has repriced its mortgage range, reducing rates by up to 0.20 per cent. Highlights from the refreshed range include a two-year fixed rate for new customers at 3.99 per cent up to 90 per cent LTV (3.89 per cent for existing customers) and a five-year fixed rate available for new customers at 3.09 per cent up to 60 per cent LTV (2.99 per cent for existing customers).

Skipton has replaced its residential mortgage range, offering a variety of two, three and five year fixed mortgages alongside fee-free two year discounted rate products. A choice of fee and rate blends are intended to maximise choice and flexibility. Skipton is withdrawing its two-year base rate tracker products. 

Telecoms

Virgin Media has launched new ‘Big Bundles’ including superfast broadband, mobile SIM, TV and home phone. Customers can choose the best bundle for them at a variety of prices.

Vodafone UK has introduced a price fix promise, meaning no customers have to pay any increases in their monthly line rental for their contract term. The promise applies to all Vodafone Pay monthly customers.

Travel Money

Asda Money is offering a three day Travel Money Rate Sale between 13 May at 8 am and 16 May at 8am, offering better rates on Euros, US Dollars, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars and South African Rand. Customers can order currency online or over the phone and pick it up from their local Travel Money bureau.

ATMs

LINK, the UK’s cash machine network, has launched a new initiative allowing customers to suggest a cash machine they would like to dispense £5 notes. Consumers can fill out a form here, which will then be passed on by LINK to the relevant cash machine owner for consideration.