Banking
Lloyds TSB shareholders approve HBOS acquisition
Following the shareholder meeting in Glasgow, Lloyds TSB shareholders have approved the proposed acquisition of HBOS. In addition to the acquisition, shareholders voted on a number of resolutions, including the bank's capital raising plans and the Placing and Open Offer.
Banks providing wider access to basic accounts
Welcoming the news that numbers of basic bank accounts had topped 7.4 million in the first half of this year, BBA Chief Executive Angela Knight said: "Banking services should be available to the widest possible range of people.
Financial problems biggest issue facing Britain
Over half of Britons (53%) feel financial problems are the single greatest issue facing the nation today, up by a quarter (from 21%) in just 12 months, according to research by AXA.
Abbey offers £100 bonus to current account switchers
Switchers to Abbey's 'limited edition' current account will receive £100 if they move to Abbey before the 15th of December.
Overdraft rates soar
Despite a 2.75% cut in base rate in the space of a year, overdraft rates have continued to increase, with Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank increasing rates by as much as 7.31%.
The secret spending habits of the business traveller
Passport? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Clean underwear? Check. Foreign currency...? Apparently this is a familiar scenario for many British business travellers. And those without foreign currency at hand are more likely to be women than men according to a new study by Travelex.
Abbey International holds regular saver rates after base rate cut
Following the recent 1.5% cut in the sterling Base Rates, Abbey International, the specialist offshore banking subsidiary of Abbey in the UK has reduced the interest rates payable on its range of sterling savings accounts.
'Make do and mend’ or make money stretch further?
The predicted fall in inflation will come as welcome news to the country's over 50s, only 2% of whom feel they have not yet suffered from steep rises in the cost of living.
Bailing out banks unfair on building societies and their members
This was the message today from John Goodfellow, Chairman of the Building Societies Association, speaking at the Association's Annual Lunch. He noted the strength and prudence of the mutual model, but highlighted the unfair way the sector had been forced to pay for failed banks.
Alliance Trust: Current UK banking sector
Commenting on the current UK banking sector, Tim Gibbens, Global Financials Analyst at Alliance Trust, said: "The banking sector has been through a turbulent time and investors will be keeping a close eye on banks' interim management statements to determine how the credit crunch and the recent government bail-out package have affected them.
Record sales of Dubai currency as QE2 prepares to leave UK
As the QE2 leaves the UK for the final time before becoming a floating hotel in Dubai, figures from foreign currency expert M&S Money suggest that the region continues to be a popular winter destination for Brits.
Banks promise to help Britain's businesses
Setting out their members commitment to small businesses in a 10 point promise the British Bankers' Association said the Statement of Principles that underpins the Business Banking Code was being reviewed with business groups.
Current account providers cut in-credit interest rates
During a week of financial frenzy, research from uSwitch.com reveals that six current account providers have reduced in-credit interest rates by as much as 0.99%.
Banks welcome government action
Moves to support the banking industry and to inject liquidity into the money markets were welcomed by the UK's leading banks as they acted to cut interest rates on mortgages and loans.
Going, going...gone
Kevin Mountford, head of banking at moneysupermarket.com, comments: "We knew this was coming but this is unprecedented territory - for over half of all fixed rate bonds to just disappear is unheard of and will leave savers wondering where to turn.