AIB Bank

Types of mortgage: annuity, endowment.

Types of mortgage: annuity, endowment.

Length of mortgage: up to 30 years.

Other options: flexible repayment options allowing the mortgage to be repaid weekly, monthly, quarterly or half-yearly; mortgage breaks; special package for first-time buyers including a discounted five-year fixed rate, up to 30 per cent discount on AIB home insurance and free mortgage protection policy with Ark Life for the first three months.

Fees: cost of indemnity bond.

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Rates: variable 7.85% (APR 8.1%), £8.24 per £1,000; one-year fixed 5.85% (APR 7.83% ), £7.06 per £1,000; three-year fixed 6.25% (APR 7.52% ), £7.29 per £1,000.

Bank Of Ireland

Types of mortgage: annuity, endowment, pension.

Length of mortgage: up to 30 years.

Other options: split rate mortgage where the loan is divided between a fixed and variable rate; index-linked option where monthly repayments are increased by a small amount at the beginning of each year, reducing the amount of interest paid over the life of the mortgage; mortgage break for three months at times when outgoings are high or income is reduced; option to pay over 10 or 11 months rather than 12 months.

Fees: cost of indemnity bond.

Rates: variable 7.4% (APR 7.6%), £7.97 per £1,000 (loans of less than 80%); 7.85% (APR 8.2%), £8.24 per £1,000 (for loans over 80 per cent); one-year fixed 5.9% (APR 7.4%), £7.09 per £1,000, (Loans <80%); three-year fixed 6.45% (APR 7.3%), £7.41 per £1,000, (Loans <80%).

EBS Building Society

Types of mortgage: annuity, endowment and pension.

Length of mortgage: up to 25 years.

Other options: allows borrowers to accelerate repayments and to make lump sum repayments; will tailor repayments to suit circumstances such as career breaks.

Fees: cost of indemnity bond.

Rates: variable 7.1% (APR 7.3%), £7.81 per £1,000; one-year fixed 5.7% (APR 7.1%), £6.99 per £1,000; three-year fixed 6.1% (APR 7.0%), £7.22 per £1,000.

First National

Types of mortgage: annuity, guaranteed investment, pension.

Length of mortgage: up to 30 years. Other options: First National Building Society's Mortgage Master product allows borrowers to repay their mortgages earlier than planned; to take a short mortgage break or a longer one if they have overpaid in advance; to reduce future repayments by paying more than they owe; to withdraw part or all of their overpayments as with a savings account.

Fees: cost of indemnity bond.

Rates: variable 7.5% (APR 7.7%), £8.05 per £1,000 (loans of less than 80%); 7.75% (APR 8.00%), £8.20 per £1,000 (loans of over 80%); one-year fixed 5.89% (APR 7.5%), £7.10 per £1,000, (Loans <80%); three-year fixed 6.35% (APR 7.3%), £7.36 per £1,000, (Loans

Irish Permanent

Types of mortgage: annuity, endowment.

Length of mortgage: up to 30 years.

Other options: swift repayment option which allows the borrower to increase the size of monthly repayments at any stage throughout the loan; low start which allows borrowers to pay interest only for the first six months; holiday period provided the mortgage is at least three years old with no arrears.

Fees: cost of indemnity bond.

Rates: variable 7.50% (APR 7.80%), £8.05 per £1,000; one-year fixed 5.90%, (APR 7.60%), £7.10 per £1,000; three-year fixed 6.35%, (APR 7.40%), £7.36 per £1,000.

National Irish Bank

Types of mortgage: annuity endowment.

BO]Length of mortgage: up to 25 years.

Other options: Tailored Home Loan facility provides a flexible repayment structure; repayments can be stepped up during the term of the mortgage and lump sum repayments can be made without penalty; free banking for two years on a current account; three months free repayment protection policy on all new home loans until February 28th.

Fees: none.

Rates: variable 7.60% (APR 7.90%), £8.12 per £1,000; one-year fixed 6.25% (APR 7.70%), £7.31 per £1,000; fixed maturing October 2000 6.95% (APR 7.70%), £7.72.

* The fixed rates given are new business rates for repayment mortgages. The variable rates used are the standard variable rates. The cost per £1,000 is calculated over a 20-year period.