Banking
Banks must deal with hardship cases, says Which?
As the Financial Services Authority (FSA) announces a six month extension to the bank charges waiver, which is due to expire on Monday 26 January, Which? personal finance campaigns manager, Doug Taylor, says:
Northern Rock bonuses indefensible, says Cable
Commenting on the announcement that Northern Rock is to give its staff a 10% bonus, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: "This is bringing the worst of the City bonus culture into a public body.
moneysupermarket.com: Britannia and Co-op merger
Commenting on the likely merger between Britannia Building Society and Co-operative Financial Services, Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: "2009 was always predicted to be a year of banking and building society mergers as brands fight tooth and nail to stay afloat.
Europe still a holiday contender as pound pulls back
Holidaymakers planning trips to Europe may find the pound in their pocket stretching further than they thought because the euro has fallen in value against sterling by over seven per cent since late December - bringing many other European currencies with it.
Investors continue to capitalise on FX markets
While Sterling experienced record falls in 2008 and has experienced new lows against the dollar this week, the savvy investors have consistently used this as an opportunity to generate returns by trading more actively in FX markets.
Britannia and Co-op unveil plans for super-mutual
The Boards of Britannia Building Society and Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) - two of the biggest customer-owned financial services businesses in the UK - today confirm they have agreed to merge to create a super-mutual as a unique, ethical alternative to shareholder- and Government-owned banks.
Sterling punished by UK bank bail out
Bob Munro, Senior Currency Strategist at HiFX comments, "Yesterday's huge UK banking bailout package was completely overshadowed by RBS announcing a UK corporate record GBP28 billion loss, leading to their share price falling 70%.
Nationwide launches Lifetime Guarantee account issue 10
Nationwide International, the offshore subsidiary of Nationwide Building Society, has announced details of its latest issue of the Lifetime Guarantee account.
Dollar dashes Sterling strength
Commenting on the Pound's fall against the Dollar, Stephen Heath, Chief Executive of FairFX.com, said: "Despite getting off to a good start in 2009 the Pound looks to be in a sorry state again already, falling to just 1.3950 against the US Dollar - a seven year low - and 1.08 against the Euro.
Beware of Financial Crisis Part 2
Following the Government's announcement to encourage banks to increase lending, David Kuo, financial expert at money website Fool.co.uk, urges anyone applying for credit to be extra cautious.
BSA: Government intervention to support lending
Commenting on the Government's intervention to support lending announced today, Adrian Coles, Director-General of the Building Societies Association, said: "We welcome this package - any moves to improve confidence in UK banking and the UK housing market are welcome.
moneysupermarket.com: Government's new bailout scheme
Commenting on the Government's new bailout scheme, Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com said: "However necessary these measures are, the bigger question remains - why are we, the taxpayer, being asked yet again to bail out businesses that have been managed irresponsibly in recent times?
Effective and efficient lending is key to avoiding serious recession
Commenting on reports that the Treasury is to announce an insurance scheme for banks to try to revive confidence in the industry, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: "It's undoubtedly the case that there is an extreme crisis in the banks as revealed by the continuing panic selling of shares and the stasis that is crippling the economy.
Nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank
Commenting on the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank, Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, said: "The nationalisation shows that, after the financial bloodbath that was 2008, there is still worse to come.
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 US Dollar accounts.