bank launches commodity bonus and world growth lock-in products Standard adds to Solutions

Standard Bank has launched the latest in its series of Structured Growth Solutions, offering investo...

Standard Bank has launched the latest in its series of Structured Growth Solutions, offering investors the chance to link returns to a basket of commodities or leading equity indices.

The products, to be distributed through the international IFA market, offer 100% capital protection and unlimited growth potential, if held to maturity.

The Commodity Bonus Accelerator is linked to an equally weighted basket of commodities consisting of aluminium, nickel and zinc. Investors will receive a return of 120% of the potential growth of the basket at maturity. Furthermore, if any one or more of the three commodities is valued at or above its starting level at maturity, a bonus of 9% will be paid.

The World Growth Lock-In is linked to an equally weighted basket of the S&P 500, Dow Jones Eurostoxx 50 and the Nikkei 225. Through these indices, investors receive 100% of the potential basket growth at maturity. In addition, if the basket has risen by 20% or more on any of the four anniversaries of the launch of the product, a 20% return is 'locked in' and investors are guaranteed to receive this amount as a minimum return at maturity.

The products are available in sterling and US dollars and run for four-and-a-half years from the launch date of 23 March 2007. A minimum investment of £10,000 or $20,000 is required.

Nigel Watson, director, intermediary distribution at Standard Bank, said: "The commodity sector continues to offer considerable appeal with enhanced growth potential. For those seeking a more traditional route to diversification while preserving capital to lock in growth, the World Growth Lock-In ensures global reach by linking returns to the performance of three of the world's leading stock markets."