Banking News
BBA delighted that IVAs come under closer scrutiny
The British Bankers’ Association (BBA) said today that it is encouraged that through effective self-policing and regulatory activity, IVA providers are to drop potentially misleading advertisements that promote inappropriate levels of debt write off.
Consumer-credit customers covered by ombudsman for first time
From this Easter-weekend, customers of up to 80,000 UK businesses will be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service for the first time - when the ombudsman's remit is officially extended under Consumer Credit legislation.
UK interest rates held at 5.25%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain interest rates at 5.25%.
Dust down your dormant accounts this Easter
Banks are making a determined effort to encourage customers to reactivate old accounts ahead of plans by the government to use money in accounts that have not had any transactions for 15 years for community purposes.
Barclays wins anti-fraud award
Barclays has won a prestigious award for its work to combat online fraud.
Nationwide highlights omission in Which? Super-complaint to OFT
Nationwide Building Society welcomes the announcement by Which?, that it has lodged a super-complaint with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on credit card interest charges.
Easter holidaymakers are hopping mad over foreign usage fees
Nationwide Building Society is urging Easter holidaymakers across the country not to make the same mistake as last year by incurring unnecessary charges for using their cards abroad.
Brits consider fee-based banking
Following the Office of Fair Trading’s announcement that it is extending the scope of its investigation into bank charges, new research by Moneyexpert.com reveals that almost one in three British adults is willing to pay for their normal banking services.
HSBC and first direct launch new programme to cut paper use
Customers of HSBC and first direct who choose not to receive paper bank statements will be helping to plant more than 20,000 trees as part of a new programme to cut back on paper usage, known as the Virtual Forest.
HBOS to be 'carbon neutral' by end of 2007
HBOS announces it will be 'carbon neutral', by the end of the year. 'Carbon neutral' means the group is committed to producing zero net CO2 emissions through its UK operations.
Alliance & Leicester offers new incentives to customers
Alliance & Leicester has a double dose of good news for its customers this month. Throughout April, Premier and Premier Direct customers can benefit from an increase in the popular Recommend a Friend offer from £25 to £50 – with both them and any friends they introduce receiving £50 per account.
Halifax named most parent friendly bank
Halifax has been voted Most Parent Friendly Bank for the fourth year running in the 2007 Tommy's Parent Friendly Awards.
Place your bets for base rate roulette
With borrowers on tenterhooks next week before they find out whether the cost of their mortgage is going to increase, Legal & General takes a look at the likelihood of a Base Rate change in any given month.
New rules for reporting card, cheque and online banking fraud
This Sunday 1 April 2007, new procedures come into effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which means that banks and financial institutions become the first point of contact for cheque, plastic card and online fraud offences.
Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank funds 60,000th vehicle
Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has announced that it has funded its 60,000th vehicle and has doubled the number of fleet vehicles it financed in the last eighteen months.