Birmingham Midshires has announced the launch of a new series of guaranteed equity bonds (GEBs) that offer investors market-leading rates of interest, based on the performance of the FTSE 100 index over a defined period.

The GEBs also carry the guarantee that investors’ original investment will be returned should the trigger not be reached.

With investments accepted between £500 and £1 million until 1 September 2008, and a bonus interest rate equivalent to that paid on the Birmingham Midshires Direct Savings Account (5.25 per cent gross/AER) until 15 September 2008, the GEBs are linked to the performance of the FTSE 100 index over a predetermined period.

Provided the average of the FTSE 100 hasn’t fallen between the initial index reading and maturity index reading, investors will receive a guaranteed rate of interest based on the number of years they remain invested.

Tim Hague, director of savings and investments at Birmingham Midshires, says, ‘BM offers GEBs based on a trigger, which offer the full advertised rate of interest if the trigger point is reached. For savers who are confident in the FTSE 100 index, the BM GEBs offer exceptional interest rates and the safety buffer of guaranteed capital return.’

For more information call 0845 602 2828 or visit www.askbm.co.uk