Ulster Bank has launched a new three-year fixed-term deposit which offers investors the potential to earn a gross return of the order of 30 per cent.

The Securezone product provides 100 per cent capital security at the end of three years with investment returns linked to the performance of the Euro Stoxx 50 Index. The return is based on the funds achieving a maximum investment return of 10 per cent per annum.

Mr Brendan Barr of Ulster Bank says the product is most suitable for first-time investors or those who want their capital guaranteed at the end of the investment term. If the Euro Stoxx 50 Index fails to make gains in that period then investors will just get their initial deposit returned. The minimum investment is £5,000 (€6,349) rising to a maximum of £250,000. The closing date for investments is February 25th, 2000.