Banking
Consumers’ failing to take responsibility for debt
Seventy five per cent of consumers believe that they’re not responsible for over-indebtedness, according to a survey by credit reference agency Callcredit.
Lloyds TSB sets the standard on disability
Lloyds TSB has been ranked first in the 2007 Employers’ Forum Disability Standard, ahead of 115 organisations taking part in this year’s benchmarking exercise.
Barclays Stockbrokers: US interest rate decision
In the UK, the Bank of England’s reluctance to cut interest rates illustrates the dilemmas involved in shifting monetary policy.
M&S first on the high street to offer two dollars to the pound
M&S Money is offering two dollars to the pound at all of its 107 Bureaux de Change for the rest of this week* in response to the anticipated reduction in US interest rates by the Federal Reserve.
HSBC’s passport service wins the race for opportunity
HSBC’s unique Passport account, the first and only banking service for migrants of all nationalities in the UK, was named winner of the Business Impact category at the Race for Opportunity’s (RfO) annual Chairman’s Awards ceremony last night.
Bank of Scotland takes strategic stake in Pi Capital
Bank of Scotland Corporate has taken a strategic 19.9% stake in Pi Capital through its Growth Equity team. No shares were sold by existing Pi shareholders.
Abbey: Pound hits 26 year high against the dollar
Barry Naisbitt, Abbey's Chief Economist comments on the pound hitting a 26 year high against the dollar: "Today the pound hit its highest level against the dollar in 26 years, as high as $2.066 in early trading.
New fraud prevention power will save £millions
Following Royal Assent to the Serious Crime Bill today, CIFAS - The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service welcomed the new provisions that will allow public authorities to step up their fraud prevention measures by engaging in appropriate data sharing with one or more specified anti-fraud organisations.
Abbey extends its 8 per cent account
Abbey is extending its popular 8 per cent current account so from 5 November, all new customers can benefit, not just those who switch accounts. Payable on balances of up to £1,000 for the first year, the 8 per cent can be worth up to £80 to a customer.
moneysupermarket.com: BoE September mortgage lending figures
Commenting on the Bank of England figures showing mortgage lending is slowing, Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at moneysupermarket.com, said: “The Bank of England figures prove the mortgage industry is a shrinking market. The lack of growth is bad news for both the mortgage market and the economy as a whole.
FSCS pays compensation to Streetcred members after just 9 days
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has made the first compensation payments to members of Streetcred Credit Union nine days after it closed its doors on 16 October.
MoneyExpert.com: A&L Premier 50 Current Account
Sean Gardner, Chief Executive of MoneyExpert.com, said: “The Premier 50 account seems well suited to over 50s and is yet more evidence that banks are trying to target different groups of customers with special deals.
moneysupermarket.com: A&L Premier 50 current account
Commenting on the launch of A&L’s Premier 50 current account, Kevin Mountford, head of current accounts at moneysupermarket.com, said: “This is an innovative move from A&L capitalising on a currently untapped market: bespoke current accounts for the over 50s – products for whom have typically been limited to savings and insurance.
New Alliance & Leicester current account receives the thumbs up
Samantha Owens, Head of Personal Finance at Moneyfacts.co.uk, comments on the launch of the new Premier 50 Current Account from Alliance & Leicester: “It’s an all round impressive account, suited to its market and unrivalled in many of its features.
uSwitch.com: Alliance & Leicester's Premier 50 account
Mike Naylor, personal finance expert at uSwitch.com, the independent online price comparison and switching service, comments on the launch of Alliance & Leicester’s Premier 50 account: