The Co-operative Investments has entered the structured product market with the launch of its Protected Investment Plan.

The plan, which is provided in association with Credit Suisse, guarantees a 40 per cent return on maturity providing the  FTSE100 is no less than its current level in six years time

Zack Hocking, head of savings and investments at The Co-operative Investments, says, ‘With stock markets having been volatile in recent years and interest rates at record lows, structured investment products are becoming increasingly popular.

‘With complete capital protection, the chance to earn an attractive return, as well as the opportunity to invest tax efficiently, we believe this Plan will be very popular with investors.’

The Protected Investment Plan, available until 24 July 2009, is one of few structured products that offers tax efficient saving inside an ISA. Outside of an ISA investors can also use their annual capital gains tax allowance as part of the plan.

Money held in cash ISAs from previous tax years can be transferred into the Plan. Should the FTSE100 index fall below its level at the start of the investment, the original capital will be returned in full.
 
Calculations show that the Protected Investment Plan would return over a quarter more than the average cash ISA would have paid over the last six years. A typical cash ISA would have earned an average annual rate of 4.26 per cent since 2003. On a £10,000 investment this would have earned £2839.72 in interest while the Protected Investment Plan guarantees a return of £4,000 if the FTSE100 index is at least one point higher than it was on the date of investment.

The plan has a minimum investment of £3,600 with no maximum. Anyone interested in taking out the Protected Investment Plan should call 08457 46 46 46 to make an appointment with one of The Co-operative's Financial Advisers.

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