PRUDENTIAL is introducing a ''baby-break'' facility into its mortgages, allowing customers to apply for a six-month break from repayments. The Pru says it is intended to help women cope with the financial pressure to go back to work sooner than they would like after having a baby. The facility is available on the full range of fixed, discounted, and cashback mortgages and can also be agreed in circumstances of family bereavement or caring for a dependent relative.

NATIONWIDE is scrapping more than 30 service fees across its banking, savings, mortgage, and insurance products. The fees to go from June 1 include those for access to cash machines, duplicate statements, stopping a cheque, standard mortgage redemption, and moving buildings insurance.

SKIPTON building society has introduced an Access Bond offering fixed rates of 7.25% until June 30, 1999 but allowing penalty-free access to up to 50% of the original investment. The minimum is #5000 and deposits over #40,000 earn 7.5%. Minimum withdrawals are #500. Freephone 0800 446776.

SCOTLIFE Home Loans has produced a Cascade Mortgage that offers an annually decreasing five-year fixed rate combined with no early redemption penalty. The rate begins fixed at 7.99% until June 1, 1999 and falls so that it is fixed at 4.99% from June 2002 to June 2003 for loans up to 90% of value. There is a #60 administration fee for early redemption.

BARCLAYS is cutting 3% off its normal personal loan rate of 20.9% from yesterday, available while funds last. The reduced rate will be available for loans from 12 months up to five years.