Current Accounts

Lisa Taylor, analyst at moneyfacts.co.uk, comments: “With overdraft charges already in the spotlight, and undoubtedly a target for the Office of FairTrading (OTF) to intervene and impose reductions, Lloyds TSB has been the first off the mark to announce reductions to its fees.

Andy Bayes, Head of Current Accounts at Alliance & Leicester said: “It’s a compliment for Alliance & Leicester to see that the current account products we offer are forcing the competition to change their pricing strategy as we consistently lead the way in terms of customer value.

Commenting on Lloyds’ improved current account deal, offering 6.4 per cent on its ‘Plus’ range of accounts, Kevin Mountford, head of savings at price comparison website moneysupermarket.com, said: “This improved offering shows the current account price war is alive and kicking.

For 3.4 million Britons, money is the biggest concern in their life, with nearly a fifth (18%) worrying about money on a daily basis, and nearly a third (30%) fretting about money several times a week, according to research from Alliance & Leicester Current Accounts.

Consumers should regularly review their current accounts to ensure they’re getting the best deal available, according to financial product research company Defaqto.

For youngsters, September means a new uniform, shiny shoes and a pristine pencil case for the school year ahead but, it seems that the ‘back to school’ feeling never really leaves us no matter what age we are.

Lloyds TSB is stepping up the battle for current account customers offering the highest ever interest rate of 6.4 per cent on its ‘Plus’ range of current accounts.

Two thirds of the nation are currently unaware of how much they have to pay when going into the red on their current accounts, according to new research from MoneyExpert.com.

Average credit interest rates on current accounts have risen by just half the level of Bank of England interest rate rises in the past 10 months, new research from MoneyExpert.com shows.

Half of students, who work to support themselves financially during their studies, earn over £100 per week according to the Halifax UK Student Finances Survey 2007.

Don’t be swayed by other gimmicks, it's interest-free overdrafts and fee-free banking that should be the priority for all freshers.

Whilst many young people are preparing to head off to university this autumn, over four in ten (43%) admit that the prospect of acquiring debt whilst at university is putting them off going, according to research by Alliance & Leicester.

Samantha Owens, Head of Personal Finance at Moneyfacts.co.uk, comments: “Following the base rate rises of the last year a number of current account providers increased their overdraft rates, and the July rise has seen this trend continue.

Three out of four people (75%) believe their supermarkets offer them value for money on groceries, almost half believe supermarkets sell value for money financial products too, according to a survey by Fool.co.uk. It seems that many of us deem that supermarkets can be as good at providing ISAs as they are at selling ice cream.

The 2007 student package from Yorkshire Bank offers a range of competitive benefits in a simple and accessible format, taking the hassle out of finance for students from their first year to their final exams.