Zurich launches new and improved Guaranteed Capital Account

14 September 2006.  Zurich has launched a new version of its Guaranteed Capital Account, a deposit account that combines a money-back guarantee and interest linked to stock market growth.

The Zurich Guaranteed Capital Account is a five-and-a-half year bank deposit account aimed at intermediaries with cautious clients looking for a medium-term investment. As with previous versions, the account comes with 100% capital guarantee, however, this version now offers 125% of any growth in the FTSE 100 Index over five-and-a-half years.

Available for a limited time only (applications must be received by 20 October 2006) the account, which is available through IFAs, comes with an 'early bird' incentive that will see a bonus paid on applications received before
22 September. 

Key features of the account include:
· 100% capital guaranteed
· 125% of any growth in the FTSE 100 Index over five-and-a-half years or
· Early maturity feature - 30% gross interest if the Index has grown by 30% or  more on the third anniversary.
· 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
· Early Bird bonus for customers of 0.33% on applications received by 22 September 2006.

Commenting, Paul Wright, Zurich's Investment Management Director said:
"Our previous Guaranteed Accounts have proved extremely popular.  Intermediaries and their clients appreciate the benefits of an investment that offers both security and stock market linked returns.  Early indications suggest that this latest version will continue this trend."