loose change

Prudential is offering a 10 per cent discount on home and contents insurance policies to carers who look after relatives at home. The company will also donate pounds 10 to Crossroads, a charity for carers, for every policy taken out. Contact Crossroads, Dilke House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7JA.

National Westminster is cutting the cost of going overdrawn. From 1 September the bank will scrap its pounds 5 monthly fee for account holders who go overdrawn by pounds 50 or less.

Coventry Building Society is offering a five-year fixed rate of 7.25 per cent, 1.2 per cent lower than the standard variable rate. Call 0800 126125.

GE Financial Assurance is launching a flexible access bond, which offers a variable rate of return of about 5.6 per cent net of basic-rate tax. Call 0181-380 3388.

Wise Speke, the stockbroker and investment adviser, is making a one- off offer to cut set-up charges on its fund management service from 1.5 to 0.5 per cent. Share dealing charges and annual management fees still apply. Call 0171-617 2900.

The AA is launching Freeway, a direct finance package for buyers of new cars, charging 9.9 per cent APR. Call 0800 435882.