Banking
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.
Basic bank accounts and financial inclusion - final quarter of 2008
Latest figures from the BBA show that another 142,000 post office accessible accounts were opened in the final quarter of last year and 19,000 existing accounts upgraded.
“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.
IFA Life launches Twitter directory of IFAs and financial planners
As the Internet celebrates its 20th anniversary, financial services social networking website IFA Life is launching a Directory of IFAs, Financial Planners and Advisers who use Twitter.
Heathrow flies below parity on Euro
Travellers flying from Heathrow could find buying their holiday money comes at a hefty price tag. New analysis from FairFX.com reveals anyone buying foreign currency from Heathrow Airport will get less than parity at just €0.9831 to £1.
Guardian backs OFT in closure of ‘look alike’ debt advice websites
Guardian Debt Management has backed the OFT in its decision to force the immediate closure of 11 financial management businesses with ‘look alike’ websites posing as official or charity advice sites.
Abbey launches deposit account paying 3.25% gross
Abbey International has launched a new fixed rate account currently paying a guaranteed 3.25% gross (3.28% AER) over 6 months, to complement its range of offshore multicurrency deposit and banking accounts.
Consumers accept there's no quick-fix for economy
Consumers believe it will be at least a year and a half before the economy improves, according to new research by Which?
Switch to make your money stretch further this Spring
Spring is in the air, and Alliance & Leicester is encouraging British households to review their finances to ensure they have the best current account to maximise their cash and meet their specific banking needs.
MORE TH>N Legal Services provides documents to help with debt
As the recession takes hold in Britain, financial concerns and worrisome debts are affecting more people.