Today's other stories in brief

Oxfam Ireland targets SSIA holders

Special Savings Incentive Account (SSIA) holders are being urged to consider giving part of their money to Oxfam Ireland.

"We know people have saved very hard for this money. . . but we are saying they will probably feel better if they consider giving a little bit of it to charity," said fundraising co-ordinator Siobhán McGrath. Among Oxfam's suggestions are purchasing a cow for a family in Africa for €100; feeding an orphan for 10 months for €250; planting 500 trees in Malawi for €360; buying grain for a village for €800; and providing clean water for 1,000 people for €1,080.

BoI site for SSIA Revenue forms

Bank of Ireland has set up a website for people to submit their Revenue SSIA declaration forms online.

SSIA holders must sign the SSIA Four form declaring that they have kept to the rules of the scheme before their account matures in order to receive the Government bonus.

Bank of Ireland said it would continue to send out a paper version about three months before accounts mature. But it will also include a password that will allow customers to submit an online declaration at www.bankofireland.ie/ssia.

New South African property fund

Irish investors are targeting South Africa for their next overseas property purchases, according to BDO Simpson Xavier, which has launched a €100 million fund investing in South African commercial property for people with €200,000 to spare.

The fund will invest in office, retail and industrial and development land in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban and will comprise €25 million of investors' money and €75 million in borrowings.

BDO Simpson Xavier said it was aiming for returns of more than 20 per cent per annum after tax. The target investment period is five to seven years.

IAIM appoints chief executive

The Irish Association of Investment Managers (IAIM) has appointed Frank O'Dwyer as chief executive.

He replaces Ann Fitzgerald, who has been appointed executive chairwoman of the National Consumer Agency.

A former adviser at the Department of Finance, Mr O'Dwyer is a chartered accountant who has worked in professional practice, merchant banking and as finance director of a number of companies.

Commodities bond with capital security

A new bond that allows people to invest in commodities without risking their initial capital has been launched by Custom House Capital.

It is spread across 10 types of commodities. The bond, which has 100 per cent capital protection over a six-year term, can be a direct investment, or can be wrapped in a pension scheme or retirement fund.

The minimum investment is €50,000.