For large deposits RaboDirect is offering 5% on amounts up to 10,000.

Irish Nationwide is the best choice for big earners with twoyear "xed rate of 9% on deposits between 20,000 and 1m.

BEST CREDIT CARDS Halifax is offering 0% on balance transfers for "rst six months and 0% on purchases for same period. Afterwards, 9.4% on purchases.

NIB's Mastercard Gold offers the 9.4% interest rate after 8 weeks of free credit.

BEST BANK FOR YOUR MONEY Permanent TSB will pay 4% interest on the "rst 1,500 in your account and 3.5% thereafter.

No transaction fees if you carry out one internet transaction per quarter.

BEST SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR SSIA LUMP SUM Rabobank offers 5% on 10,000, but 3.8% "xed rate for 12 months. For those who don't trust the internet and prefer paper, Northern Rock offers 4.5% BEST STOCKBROKING CHARGES Sharewatch for buying and selling Irish and British shares.

60 a year and 0.4% commission per trade.

Minimum charge of 30.

BEST MORTGAGE SWITCHER National Irish Bank offer the most transparent remortgage with fewest restrictions, at between 0.5 and 0.59 points above the ECB interest rate. If you are looking for a mortgage at 60% of the value of your home, it can be a big savings over the life of the loan. NIB also don't penalise you if you decide to switch again.

Ulster Bank offers a 1000 gift to switch, plus a loan rate that is 0.75 points above the ECB rate, making it a close second, particularly after dropping a lot of "ne print.