FSA's consumer website revamped

As the Financial Services Authority (FSA) warns today in its Financial Risk Outlook that we could all be facing more difficult economic conditions this year, it has also relaunched its dedicated consumer website to help people manage their money.

Moneymadeclear offers free impartial information along with the FSA's own Compare product tables. Today consumers can find a simple explanation of the 'credit crunch' and valuable information on how to manage if, for example, borrowing becomes more expensive.

With 2.8 million visits last year, Moneymadeclear was the first website to receive the Plain Language Commission's Gold Standard Award.

The site provides jargon-free information on a range of subjects including mortgages, loans and credit cards as well as interactive tools to help work out how much borrowing will cost at different interest rates and a budget calculator to help manage your budget. There are also printed guides covering 'what to do if you can't pay your mortgage', as well as our recent 'making your budget work for you' guide.

As part of the relaunch, the FSA has revamped the Compare product tables making it much easier for consumers to shop around. In two clicks they can now compare the features and costs of a wide range of financial products including savings accounts, mortgages and annuities – and the FSA is aiming to add its first Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) tables soon.

Visit the Moneymadeclear website for interactive tools and information about financial products and services that you might need at different stages of your life moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk;

Use our Compare products tables to compare financial products from different firms moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk\tables; and

Download free, easy-to-read printed guides which cover a wide range of topics, both general and product-specific moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/publications