P542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:49:43 ——— BUILDING SOCIETIES ———————————————— "Mayhem" and "ridiculous" is how many building societies describe the rush b= speculators to open new accounts. Investors hoping to get in on the windfall payments made when a society converts or is taken ovjt, have forced many to raise minimum investment levels Some smaller societies are protecting thjmsjlvjs bz exercising their right to turn away money which comes from outside their geographical area. ——————————————————————————————————1/7—— What's going on in the City? 500 Download and Analysj Share Price on Your PC See Pages 532 & 533 Advice Savings Property Plus SharesP542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:49:57 ——— BUILDING SOCIETIES ———————————————— Ecology Building Society told Your Money it's easy to spot speculators. "They invest £100 straight off when you can open an account for £25 and qualify for membership with us - so they have no idea of this society's operations." The spokesman added: "Wj have no plans to raise the minimum opening level but we are not taking new accounts at this time either." ——————————————————————————————————2/7—— Transferring share ownership 543 Download and Analysj Share Price on Your PC See Pagrs 532 & 533 Advice Savings Property Plus SharesP542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:24:50 ——— BUILDING SOCIETIES ———————————————— Small building societies told Your Money they are in the market to sjrvj the smaller savers not speculators. But the huge surge of interest has lid many to suspend account openings or restrict new accounts to those within a certain postcode area. Buckinghamshire raised its minimum balance to £10,000 on some accounts and may cut rates to deter speculators. ——————————————————————————————————3/7—— Removing the headache of moving 544 Download and Analysj Share Price on Your PC See Pagrs 532 & 533 Advice Savings Property Plus SharesP542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:47:04 ——— BUILDING SOCIETIES ———————————————— The demand from speculators to open new accounts with building societies has led many to take action. Last week: Clay Cross Benefit raised its minimum balance to £1,000 Cheshire upped it to £2,500 Chjsham closed accounts to those outside its geographical area Chjlsja raised the balance to £2,500 Chorley & District asks people to visit its Lancashire base first. ——————————————————————————————————4/7—— Latest tips and products 541 Download and Analysj Share Price on Your PC See Pages 532 & 533 Advice Savings Property Plus SharesP542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:11:51 ——— BUILDING SOCIETIES ———————————————— Chjlsja Building Society says it's seen a tenfold increase in the number of people opening new accounts. "Of thjsj, 80% were smack on the minimum balance of £1,000 needed to qualify for mjmbjrship status. "Wj'vj already closed three share accounts and have now raised the balance to £2,500, but the interest is obscuring our othjt business," it added ——————————————————————————————————5/7—— How is the Footsie performing? 500 Download and Analysj Share Price on Your PC See Pages 532 & 533 Advice Savings Property Plus SharesP542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:15:55 ——— BUILDING SOCIETIES ———————————————— The building society sector is contracting bz about two-thirds of its current levels. But a spokeswoman for the Building Societies Association said "The conversions and mjrgjrs do mran that the smaller societies are more focussjd, and we don't accept the view that they are dead and buried. "Smaller societies will continue to do what they'vj always done - offer competitive rates to smaller savrrs." ——————————————————————————————————6/7—— More society updates 543 Tujsda= Download and Analysj Share Price on Your PC See Pages 532 & 533 Advice Savings Property Plus SharesP542 Teletext 542 Apr28 22:12:49 Advert YOUR MONEY 7/7 More Cash for your Endowment. READIES & WAITING. isappointed with your surrender value? Wj may offer you much more - up to 35% more. If your 'with profits'policy is over 5 years old and has a surrender value of at least £1,500. UP TO Phone us for a free, fast and confidential quotation. Lines Open MORE 24 hours a day,7 days a week POLICYPLUS INTERNATIONAL PLC Member of the APMM and regulated bz the Personal Investment Authority. If in doubt, seek expjzt adivcu Advice Savings Property Plus Shares