The Spanish bank Banesto, a subsidiary of Santander, is offering a car to customers who open two or three year fixed term savings accounts, instead of paying interest on the accounts. The offer, called “Sobre Ruedas” (which can be translated as “On wheels”) also includes the payment of the related taxes and the cost of transport to the nearest dealer. The type of car depends on the amount and duration of the deposit. For a deposit of 160 000 euros, customers will receive a Citroën C4 family model, while for deposits of 120 000 or 99 000 euros the car will be a C3 or C2 respectively. For smaller deposits customers can obtain a scooter: a Vespa GTS for 38 000 euros, a Piaggio X7 for 33 000 euros and a Piaggio Fly 50 for 18 000 euros. This original offering is part of the fierce competition between Spanish banks to capture retail savings business.

HSBC France is offering French savers a direct savings account, accessible exclusively via the Internet, paying a gross rate of 6% for six months (with a ceiling of 100,000 euros), and 3.75% afterwards. Savers will be issued with a cash card which they will be able to use to withdraw cash from any Visa ATM in all countries.

On 22 January 2008 the Spanish bank Bankinter launched two new accounts paying interest at 11% and 12 %, intended for either new customers or existing customers making new deposits. The 11% rate applies to one month deposits in an amount of between 3 000 and 30 000 euros per person. To obtain the rate of 12%, the amount of the deposit must be higher: between 100 000 and 150 000 euros. The two products are accessible via all the bank’s distribution channels, at branches, by telephone or via the Internet. This offer which is intended to attract new customers is valid until 22 February 2008.