Banking
FSA proposes extension of separate deposit protection limits
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) today proposes to extend until December 2010 interim rules which allow separate compensation cover for customers with deposits in two merging building societies.
Overdraft rates set to increase
Most banks have counter-intuitively been increasing overdraft interest rates (Equivalent Annual Rates) even whilst the Bank of England has been cutting the Base Rate.
Abbey Business launches new 12 month bond
Abbey Business has launched a new limited edition 12 month Fixed Rate Business Bond, with a great fixed interest rate of 3.20 per cent gross pa/AER, maturing on 1 July 2010.
‘Scary and crippling'- victims of facility takeover fraud speak out
Fraud victims are preyed upon by organised criminals, faceless fraudsters and sometimes even those close to them.
Nationwide International announces new savings rates
Nationwide International, the offshore subsidiary of Nationwide Building Society, has announced details of its new savings rates on its Euro savings accounts following the 0.25% reduction to the European Central Bank (ECB) Base Rate.
Nationwide announces new overdraft rate
Nationwide Building Society has today announced that from 1 June 2009 the authorised and unauthorised overdraft rate will increase from 17.90% to 18.90% EAR. The rate remains below the average charged by most major high street banks.
NatWest and RBS lead in protecting online banking customers
NatWest and RBS have become the first of the UK's high street banks to introduce a leading online security solution to protect their online banking customers.
Current account funding clauses
Many of the ‘best' current account deals available at the moment carry a minimum funding clause, typically requiring the account holder to pay between £500 and £1,500 per month into the account.
The Spanish have landed
Santander gained a foothold in the UK when it bought Abbey in 2004, and continued to build its presence in the UK banking sector when it acquired Alliance & Leicester, and part of Bradford & Bingley during last year's banking crisis.
Too many complaints wrongly dismissed, says Which?
As the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) publishes its annual report, Which? personal finance campaigns manager, Doug Taylor, says: "It's shameful that some firms are dismissing so many justified complaints that are upheld.
Santander to rebrand its UK businesses in 2010
Abbey, Alliance & Leicester (A&L) and Bradford & Bingley savings (B&B) will all become known as Santander by the end of 2010. Abbey and B&B savings will be rebranded from the first quarter of 2010 and A&L will follow later in the year, as IT changes ensure any Santander customer in the UK can transact in all its UK branches.
Pawnbrokers go where banks fear to tread
David Kuo, Director at leading financial website The Motley Fool - Fool.co.uk, says: "Recessions can often be good news for pawnbrokers and a trading update from Albemarle & Bond highlights why. It is reaping the benefits of going where banks fear to tread.
Travellers could save money using a pre-paid currency card
Despite the credit crunch putting a squeeze on everyone's wallets new research from FairFX.com reveals British holiday makers still aren't spending prudently abroad.
Consumers seek good deals in tight credit market
Consumers continue to seek good value during the credit crunch, in what remains a tight market. The latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) show a 12% reduction in overall new consumer lending by its members in March 2009 compared with the same month in 2008.
Thousands up for grabs in week-long charity giveaway
Hundreds of charities and community groups across the nation could soon be benefiting from a cash boost as the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation invites people to nominate good causes to share in its annual week-long charity giveaway - Make a Difference Week!