29 May 2008. Zurich announces the launch of its new Green Guaranteed Account.
Zurich is for the first time offering intermediaries and their clients a Guaranteed Account linked to the green business sector.
Investors will benefit from 100% of any growth in the RBS Green Index[1], which comprises the thirty largest companies that operate in the emerging green business sector globally. These include companies which specialise in green sectors such biotechnology, hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy and energy management services.
The Zurich Green Guaranteed Account is open for investment until 21 July 2008 and includes an early bird bonus of 0.33% for applications received before 23 June 2008.
Zurich is also offering investors the opportunity to carbon offset their early bird bonus for the first time to climate change organisation, Climate Friendly[2].
Paul Wright, Zurich’s Investment Management Director, comments, “More and more people are interested in the environment and the businesses that operate in that sector. The Zurich Green Guaranteed Account is a new way to link an investment in this sector. We believe that this product will prove popular with both intermediaries and their clients.”
Key features of the Capital Account include:
- 100% capital guaranteed
- Gross interest of 100% of any growth in the RBS Index over five years
- Interest on the ISA element is tax-free under current regulations
- 100% allocation
- Minimum and maximum investments £2,500 and £250,000 respectively
- 3.25% initial commission on all monies invested into this account
- No withdrawals during term of the account
- Maturity date of 25 July 2013
Concludes Wright, “We believe the Zurich Green Guaranteed Account is the ideal choice for those investors looking to protect their original capital and share in the potential stockmarket returns from the emerging green sector. ”
For more information or to apply for an account, call 020 7758 7431 or visit www.zurich.com/zgga
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Media information:
For further information, please contact:
Sara Lister, Senior Media Relations Consultant – Life, Tel: 01793 503354 / 07875 885161
Notes to editors:
About Zurich
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.
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[1] About RBS Green Index
The RBC Green Index is the exclusive property of the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, which has contracted with Standard & Poors’ to maintain and calculate the Index. The RBS Index comprises companies which operate in the following sectors (as of 4 March 2008):
Wind energy (10%), Agriculture and Food (10%, )Hydroelectricity (10%), Waste management,. Waste to energy (17%), Solar energy (23%), Material and services for energy use reduction (30%)
[2] About Climate Friendly
Climate Friendly invest in Gold Standard Renewable energy projects which set the global benchmark in project and carbon credit quality. Gold Standard projects and their associated credits have environmental benefits and also help communities in developing countries by providing energy security and more sustainable livelihoods. Climate Friendly is partnered by WWF internationally.
