Smile invest offers unique socially responsible investment package

SMILE INVEST OFFERS UNIQUE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT PACKAGE smile invest, the investment service offered by Internet bank smile, in conjunction with Co-operative Bank Financial Advisors, is offering a unique socially responsible investment package available via its on-line funds supermarket. smile invest, has put together a socially responsible package containing four of the UK's top ethical funds which are managed by some of the leading fund managers.- Friends Provident, Gerrard, Henderson and Norwich Union. The ethical funds are made up of companies which have been rigorously screened to ensure that they are not involved in areas of social, environmental or animal concern. By packaging the funds together smile invest offers a ready-made investment portfolio which enables investors to spread the risk yet still benefit from the growth potential of the stock market. smile invest has negotiated a reduced initial commission with each of the fund managers and will give a 100 per cent of its initial commission enabling investors to receive more units in the package. For investments taken out before 10 April, 2002 and split evenly amongst the four funds the average initial commission will be just 1.375 per cent. There is an Annual Management Charge (AMC) of 1.38 per cent For investors whose only criteria is long-term capital growth smile invest is also offering a growth package made up of four of the UK's top growth funds. The four funds are: ABN Ambro UK Growth; Artemis UK Growth Fund; Fidelity Special Situations and HSBC UK Income and Growth. Again there is a reduced commission and a 100 per cent rebate of smile invest's initial commission enabling investors to receive more units for their money. The average initial commission is 0.75 per cent, for investments taken out before 10 April 2002, and the AMC is 1.5 per cent. smile Chief Executive Bob Head said: "smile is a bank with scruples which means it is in our blood to give customers the best possible choice and value. Through collaboration we can all benefit and I am sure these packages will appeal to our customers who are looking for a very competitive investment package." ENDS For further information contact: 26 February 2002 Dave Smith/Paul Lawler The Co-operative Bank Press Office Tel: 0161 829 5091 Fax: 0161 839 4220 e-mail: press.office@co-operativebank.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/26/20020226BIT00320/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/26/20020226BIT00320/wkr0002.pdf