Some home truths

In August, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised the bank base rate from 4.5% to 4.75% and, since then, many bank and building societies have been introducing some very attractive deals for new customers. Presently, retail investors can easily secure rates of 5% gross - equivalent to 4% net of income tax at the lower rate - from some of the top bank and building society accounts, and they can find even more enticing deals if they are prepared to shop around. Finding the best deal Cash deposits offer investors inflation-beating returns and, with the prospect of fur...