Banking News
Leeds Building Society quiz night raises funds for local charities
The Leeds Building Society Grand Quiz Night was held at the Jongleurs Comedy Club in central Leeds.
Lords knows what banks are thinking, says Which?
As the House of Lords allows banks to appeal against the High Court's decision in the bank charges test case, Which? personal finance campaigns manager, Doug Taylor, says: "It's outrageous that public money is being used to drag this saga out for even longer when the banks should accept the Court of Appeal's decision and draw a line under this issue once and for all.
Are the 'powers that be' going soft on banks?
Commenting on the news banks have been granted leave to appeal in the bank charges case, Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: "The OFT saga looks set to rumble on as the House of Lords has now granted banks the right to appeal. But while the House of Lords might be feeling sympathetic to banks, it is the man on the street who suffers again.
Bank charges decision 'surprising'
Fairinvestment.co.uk and partner Claims Financial, comment on the House of Lords' decision to allow the banks to appeal the Court of Appeal's ruling that bank charges can be subject to fairness rules.
Base rate - one month on
Last month the Bank of England cut bank base rate to the lowest level in its 315 year history. One month on and we can see the impact the cut has had on savings and mortgage rates.
Nationwide makes available £3.2M for disadvantaged groups
The Nationwide Foundation has made available £3.2 million to help tackle the issues of housing and financial exclusion amongst disadvantaged groups. The Foundation, a registered charity set up and funded by the Society is today launching two new grant programmes and an investor programme.
50% of East Midlanders would hand in £500 found in the street
More than 50% of people living in the East Midlands would hand £500 in to the police if they found it lying in the street rather then pocket the cash, a poll by The Nottingham has revealed.
Banks v building societies
Banks have taken over the mantle from the building societies by offering the most competitive overall deals on both savings and mortgages.
Banking and card fraud increases
Card fraud losses totalled £609.9m in 2008, according to fraud loss figures from APACS, the UK payments association. The two main areas of fraud were on transactions not protected by chip and PIN: specifically internet, phone and mail order fraud; and fraud abroad - committed by criminals using stolen UK card details in countries yet to upgrade to chip and PIN - which has nearly doubled in two years.
Principality raise thousands to help vulnerable children in Wales
Childline volunteers in Wales will be able to help more children in distress and danger in the next year, thanks to Wales' largest building society.
FSA must show its teeth to protect consumers, warns Which?
As the Financial Services Authority (FSA) publishes Lord Turner's report on financial regulation, Which? chief executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, says: "Protecting consumers from rogue firms must be a priority if the FSA wants to rebuild public confidence in the financial services industry.
Help for people struggling with money worries welcomed by CAB
Responding to today's announcement by Prime Minister Gordon Brown of new help for people struggling to make ends meet in the economic downturn, Citizens Advice Director of Policy Teresa Perchard said: "This package of measures shows the government has been listening to people's concerns and is responding to the problems they are experiencing as a result of the downturn.
“RBS/Lloyds reclassification to give ‘artificial’ boost to public finances” says Ward
Simon Ward, economist at New Star: "The reclassification by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group as public corporations will be a big help to the efforts of the chancellor, Alistair Darling, to limit fiscal red ink.
IMA calls on G20 to develop more effective financial regulation
In its submission to the government ahead of next month's G20 summit the Investment Management Association (IMA) calls for the development of a more effective regulatory regime for the future.
The secret path to a better credit rating
An excellent credit rating is the must-have financial accessory of 2009. It can add up to a difference of tens of thousands of pounds in interest for house buyers and make a significant impact too on the type of credit card or loan you might be offered.