AIB offers an AER for regular savers of 7.1 % for amounts between 10 and 300 a month.

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

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

If you don't want to take an investment risk with a large sum, then give it to Irish Nationwide which has a two-year fixed rate of 9.25% on deposits between 25,000 and 1m.

BEST CREDIT CARDS

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

NIB's Visa card rate is a competitive 9.75% after the first five months at 0% with a cash rate lower than Halifax at 9.75%.

BEST BANK FOR YOUR MONEY

Banking with Halifax gives you the best value for money with 10% interest on balances up to 2,000, but you must have at least 1,500 to avail of this. There are no transaction fees and it has the cheapest overdraft rate at 9.43% APR.

BEST SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR SSIA LUMP SUM

Stash it with First Active which has just upped its savings rates on amounts up to 15,000 to 5.22% and offers 4.07% up to 1m.

BEST PERSONAL LOAN

First Active is offering the best loan rates for loans under 20,000 over five years of 6.8% APR.

Halifax is offering 6.9% on loans between 2,500 and 25,000 but you do not have to be a Halifax customer to avail of this.

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 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 doesn't penalise you if you decide to switch again.

If you open up an Ulster Bank current account you can also switch your mortgage and Ulster will give you 1,000 and a loan rate 0.75% above the ECB rate.