Bank of Ireland Launches New Secure Prospect Bond

Bank of Ireland Savings & Investments has expanded its investment product suite with the introduction of the new Secure Prospect Bond. With an investment term of 3 years and 6 months this innovative new product allows investors access to an equity-based investment without having to tie funds up for the traditional minimum term in excess of five years. As well as offering exposure to the growth potential of a basket of stock market indices, the Secure Prospect Bond provides investors with the assurance of 100% security for their initial capital investment.

The Secure Prospect Bond is suitable for customers looking for a low to medium risk investment option and a potentially greater return than deposits. The Bond is currently available and will close on December 14th2004. The investment period will commence on 23rdof December 2004 and the bond will mature on the 23rdof June 2008.   It is open to individuals with a lump sum of between €5,000 and €250,000 to invest.

Gareth McQuillan, Head of Marketing, Bank of Ireland Savings & Investments commented, "The three and a half year term is the key attractive feature of this new product and it will appeal to investors with a lump sum to investwho would like an alternative to deposits but who are not prepared to commit to the 5+ years needed for most equity linked products.

The Secure Prospect Bond is a perfect alternative and will offer potentially greater returns in today's low interest rate environment, The fact that 100% of the initial investment is guaranteed no matter what, means it's a low risk option compared to investing directly in the markets,"concluded McQuillan.

The bond's performance is linked to a world stock market basket, tracking the combined performance of 4 of the world's best-known stock market indices.   It offers investors 50% of the growth in the indices tracked and the total assurance of 100% capital security on maturity. The indices are: