For that little bit extra, Anglo Irish Bank offers 7% interest on monthly deposits of 1,000 over two years but drawing from the account prematurely will terminate the account.

Halifax offers 7% on monthly amounts up to 750, which may be a better option.

If you're middle class give it to Irish Nationwide which has a twoyear fixed rate of 9.25% on deposits between 20,000 and 1m.

BEST CREDIT CARDS
Halifax's purchase-rate 9.5% is the best around, especially as the first six months are 0%. Its cash rate is also competitive at 11.2%.

NIB's Visa card is next best, with a 10.5% rate on cash and purchases after five months at 0%.

BEST BANK FOR YOUR MONEY
Halifax is offering 10% credit interest on balances up to 2,000 but 0% afterwards. No transaction fees included and Halifax has the cheapest overdraft rate at 9.43% APR.

Permanent TSB's current account interest of 4% is next best.

BEST SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR SSIA LUMP SUM
Rabobank offers 5% on 10,000, 3.75% on amounts up to 1m at a fixed rate for 12 months. For those who don't trust the internet and prefer paper, Northern Rock offers 4.75%

BEST PERSONAL LOAN
If you are stuck for a cash boost go to First Active, which will give you the best rate on a loan of 10,000 over five years of 6.8% APR.

BEST STOCKBROKING CHARGES

Sharewatch for buying and selling Irish and British shares . . . 60 a year and 0.3% commission per online trade. Minimum charge of 20.

BEST MORTGAGE SWITCHER
NIB offers the most transparent remortgage with the 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 saving over the life of the loan. NIB also doesn't penalise you if you switch again.

Ulster bank offers a 1,000 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 fine print.