Abbey has launched a new stock market growth plan linked to the FTSE 100 Index, which will offers 100% of any rise in the index up to a maximum of 80%, at the end of a five-and-a-half year term.

The new stock market plan will also offer a guaranteed minimum return of 6% if the FTSE 100 goes down or stays the same during the same term. The guaranteed 6% return and potential for 100% of any rise in the FTSE only applies if customers leave their money invested for the full term.

Reza Attar-Zadeh, head of savings and investments at Abbey, said: It is understandable that people are sometimes put off investing in the stock market by the fear of losing their hard-earned savings. However, this means that too many are missing out on potentially good returns.

The Guaranteed stock market plan is the latest in Abbey’s series of products which offer customers a capital secure way of investing in the stock market and generating a high probability of a return in excess of current savings rates.