Best interest rate?

Gregg — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:43:24 +0000

With interest rates having fallen so far and the possibility of still more cuts on the horizon, anyone looking for interest income is pretty hamstrung at this stage. Money market rates are 7% per annum and many of the banks are offering “exceptional rates” for 1 year fixed deposits. They will even “enhance” this if you are over 55.

For anyone who is prepared to be locked in for a while there is an even better option that has been overlooked while short term interest rates have been high and that is the RSA Retail Savings Bond. It is a 2, 3 or 5 year option that is being offered by the SA Government (National Treasury) directly to the public and the interest rates are far better than anything else out there (and there are no fees to get in). The only “catch” as I can see it is that you are locked in for the period (you can exit after 12 months but there will be an exit penalty). The rates are in the table below but for more information on this go to www.rsaretailbonds.gov.za

CURRENT INTEREST RATES

FIXED RATES

2 Year Fixed Rate	9.25%
3 Year Fixed Rate	9.50%
5 Year Fixed Rate	9.75%

They also have an inflation linked option which is also quite attractive.

That’s all for now

Gregg

The Financial Coach™ - Managing people & their emotions around money » money market

Best interest rate?