The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, May 26, edition that conservative GIC investors should take a pass on the excellent interest rates that Home Capital Group (HCG) is using to attract money through its Home Trust, Home Bank and Oaken Financial operations. The Globe's Rob Carrick writes that at midweek, Oaken offered 2.6 per cent on a one-year guaranteed investment certificate and 3.1 per cent on a five-year term. A five-year bond issued by the federal government yields about 1 per cent, while banks are posting five-year GICs in the area of 1.5 per cent. HCG is in the business of lending money to home buyers using funds generated from savers putting money in its high-interest savings account and GICs. HCG's recent troubles mean it must offer better rates to attract new money and hold onto money invested in maturing GICs. The rationale for ignoring these deals is in no way a comment on HCG's chances of survival and future success. Rather, it is based on the idea that the kind of person who traditionally gravitates to a GIC does so for a zero-stress investing experience. You may not get that with a GIC from HCG, even if its subsidiaries are covered by Canada Deposit Insurance Corp.