UK Money News - February 2008
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29/02/2008
- Honeymooners go the extra mile
Couples looking to celebrate their weddings are spending an increasing amount of cash on their honeymoons, new research suggests. - Opening the door to property success
Choosing the right coloured door can play a part in whether you are successful in selling your house, new research suggests. - Property market dips in February
House prices are continuing to slowdown after years of dramatic growth, according to the latest figures from the Nationwide. - London romantics splash the cash
Men based in the capital are the UK's most romantic and generous partners, according to a new survey. - Escrow accounts 'offer protection'
Britons thinking about investing in property overseas should endeavour to use an escrow account if they want greater security in their dealings. - Rising bills start to squeeze consumers
Consumers are feeling the pressure as a result of rising bills, with many pessimistic about their financial future, new research suggests. - Mortgage moves 'make life hard for FTBs'
First-time buyers continue to find it difficult to get on the property ladder as house prices reach stratospheric levels, with the latest crack down by mortgage providers only likely to make things worse. - 'Don't leave cover behind' on learning holidays
Travel insurance is a "particularly important" accompaniment for people looking to take part in so-called 'learning holidays'. - Finances 'start to worry British women'
Women are feeling the pinch when it comes to sorting out their finances, according to a new survey charting the mood of the UK's female population.
28/02/2008
- Debt-laden Brits consider sale and rent back schemes
Rising levels of debt in the UK have prompted homeowners to turn to new methods to find a way to pay the bills, with one expert saying the prospect of sale and rent back schemes could be one option for those struggling. - Paying the price for children's property dreams
Parents in the UK are continuing to subsidise their children as they attempt to get on the property ladder, new research has shown. - Earthquake 'could have been worse'
The earthquake that hit the UK early on Wednesday morning could have been even worse, leading experts have said. - Paper trail sees Brits being billed
Millions of Britons are paying over the odds for their phone lines thanks to changes in the way they are billed, according to a price comparison site. - Lack of deposit costs buyers dear
Those looking to make their way on to the property ladder could find it even more difficult despite signs that the rapid house price growth of recent years is cooling and the cost of borrowing may yet fall. - Parental taxi trips touch £3k
Parents across the land are being dubbed the national taxi service as a result of the thousands of hours and pounds that go into ferrying children around. - RBS posts profits but buffeted by storms
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced profits across the group of £10.2 billion but warned that last year's storms had had an adverse impact on its insurance arm. - Consumers can bank on competitive choices
Consumers should exercise the choices available to them when considering opening a new bank account and devise a 'mental shopping list'. - Brits told: Plan your pension getaway
Brits looking to move abroad should pay heed to their pension provision when planning their getaway, experts say. - Rates to stay on hold for now
Mortgage holders will have to wait at least another month before they see the cost of borrowing fall any further.
27/02/2008
- Fixed-rate appeals to consumers
Fixed rate mortgages can offer consumers a potentially attractive proposition in order to help them budget effectively and for peace of mind. - Brits patch over debts with credit cards
Britons are using their credit cards to patch over their debt problems, as they struggle to cope with rising bills and the impact of inflation, a leading debt charity has warned. - Inventory 'key to insurance claims'
Individuals must take care to ensure they have adequate insurance protection for their personal items, with the onus on the consumer to prove which belongings they have. - Banks 'treading carefully over credit'
Banks are addressing the issue of credit with due care, the head of the British Banking Association (BBA) has said. - Buy-to-let 'demands balanced approach'
Mortgage-holders looking to invest in buy-to-let schemes should take care to ensure they balance their revenues and outgoings to maximise their returns. - Barclays taps into Isa demand
Barclays Stockbrokers is seeking to tap into demand for new savings products as the end of the financial year approaches. - British homeowners battle with quake aftermath
News that the UK has suffered the biggest earthquake in 25 years has served as a timely reminder for people to make sure they have adequate protection to cover any damage to their property. - Landlords face bigger deposits
Landlords are having to pay larger deposits because lenders are cutting their loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. - Nationwide counters negative press
Nationwide has said that its mortgage deals for customers with small deposits, remain among the most competitive on the high street. - Lender breaks a few Eggs in credit card row
Credit card provider Egg has come under fire from an MP following its decision to cancel credit cards for many of its customers.
26/02/2008
- Low-maintenance garden can boost property value
A low-maintenance, family-friendly garden can boost chances of selling a property, according to Gardening Which?. - Investors not to blame for first-time buyer woes
Buy-to-let investors should not be blamed for the difficulties faced by people looking to get on the property ladder for the first time. - Credit card users prepare for big switch
More than four million credit card users will change provider before the summer, research has suggested. - Trend for larger deposits to continue
Mortgage lenders are set to demand larger deposits from customers in order to protect themselves against risk, experts have warned. - IFAs expect more multi-manager business
Financial advisors are expecting to see more multi-manager business in the next financial year. - Property still attracting investors
Property was still attracting investors in the second half of last year, despite the impact of the credit crunch. - Savers urged to make use of 'extra day'
Anyone needing to reassess their long-term savings plans has been encouraged to make use of February 29th. - Cheques checking out
Cheques are becoming less common as consumers adopt electronic balance transfers and credit and debit cards, research has shown. - Days numbered for defined benefit pensions
The death knell has sounded for defined benefit pension schemes, according to the Pensions Advisory Service. - Interest rates 'to fall further'
Interest rates are set to fall further despite concerns about inflation, one expert has suggested.
25/02/2008
- Competition to reduce home insurance premiums
Increasing competition in the home insurance market will cause premiums to get more affordable, according to Datamonitor - Car insurance firm says check faults promptly
Car insurance provider esure has warned drivers not to ignore unusual squeaks and small faults as to do so could result in a breakdown or accident - House prices fall but demand increases
New figures have revealed that house prices have fallen again but demand seems to be increasing - Brits missing out on ISAs
About 90 per cent of UK savers are not taking full advantage of the benefits of ISAs, research from Lloyds TSB Savings has shown - Bridging loans more important
For people wanting to move house bridging loans will become more popular thanks to the credit crunch, financial experts have said - Home insurer advises on long holidays
The AA has advised householders planning a long trip away from home to always check up on their insurance before they travel - Car insurance policies to cost more
New research has revealed that car insurance premiums have risen by five per cent over the past year - Financial advice launched for young people
In a drive to tackle financial problems experienced by young people two charities have launched a new initiative
22/02/2008
- Brits raiding savings accounts to get by
Rising energy bills and higher food prices prompted millions of Britons to raid their savings accounts during the last quarter, figures from a leading direct savings provider have suggested. - Northern Rock withdraws 125% home loans
Northern Rock has confirmed it is to withdraw its Together range of mortgage products which offered borrowers a loan to value of up to 125 per cent. - Ofgem to probe gas and electricity market
Ofgem has today begun an investigation into the UK's gas and electricity market amid growing consumer concern over providers' price increases. - Study shows extent of property sector slowdown
New figures from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have provided further evidence of the ongoing slowdown in the UK property market. - 'Opt for Halifax loans to cut motoring costs'
New car buyers can cut the costs of getting their vehicle on the road by opting for a loan from Halifax to finance their purchase, it has been claimed. - HMRC crackdown has "serious ramifications" for landlords
Buy to let investors who are not paying close attention to declaring their rental income are facing "serious ramifications", a home loan provider has warned. - Borrowers urged to shun store cards
Consumers should steer clear of store cards or risk incurring potentially ruinous interest repayments, a debt consultancy has warned. - Rental yields at two year-high
Rental yields for buy to let landlords hit their highest level for two years last month, new figures reveal. - 125% mortgages disappear from market
The era of homebuyers being able to borrow more than the value of their home is over, following the announcement that Birmingham Midshires will no longer be offering the deals.
21/02/2008
- Nationwide welcomes Which? report
The Nationwide Building Society has welcomed yesterday's report from a consumer magazine which highlighted the failure of Britain's largest banks to offer best buy deals. - Price rises 'should encourage consumers to switch provider'
Across-the-board price increases from UK energy providers should provide consumers with fresh impetus to seek out the cheapest deals, according to a price comparison site. - Ford customers are most loyal, car insurance firm reveals
Ford drivers whose cars have been written off in an accident are more likely to replace their motor with a model from the same manufacturer than drivers of other manufacturers' vehicles, a study has shown. - British Gas ignores calls for tariff reductions
British Gas customers have been warned not to expect tariffs to be reduced in the near future despite its improved profits. - Fixed rate deals appealing to more homeowners
Fixed rate mortgages are appealing to more homeowners in the face of a predicted economic downturn this year, a poll suggests. - Axa cleans up at life insurance awards
Axa has scooped six prizes for its life insurance products and services at a prestigious industry awards show. - Investors urged to learn from Northern Rock fiasco
Investors should learn a valuable lesson from the situation facing Northern Rock shareholders, the editor of a financial web site has warned. - London's size makes it credit card hotspot
London's status as credit card fraud hotspot is down to its sheer size rather than a proportionately higher crime rate in the capital, it has been claimed. - NAEA calls for assistance for first time buyers
The UK's tax structure should be overhauled to help first time buyers and buy to let investors, an estate agents trade body has said. - uSwitch launches home insurance comparison service
Consumers will be able to compare home insurance policies more easily with the launch of a new service from one of the UK's leading price comparison sites.
20/02/2008
- MPC member dashes hopes of imminent rate cut
Consumers holding out for a further cut to the base rate of interest in the near future have been dealt a blow in a speech from Kate Barker of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC). - Lenders withdraw 100% plus mortgages
Some of the UK's largest mortgage lenders have confirmed they are to withdraw deals which allow buyers to borrow more than the value of their home. - Homeowners confused by interest rate cut predictions
Uncertainty over the state of the UK economy and the timing of the predicted cuts to the base rate of interest has left homeowners unsure of which mortgage product to opt for, a survey suggests. - Tesco halves prices on home insurance
Tesco has slashed the price of its home insurance products, it has been announced. - Big five lenders slammed by consumer magazine
The UK's largest lenders have come in for heavy criticism from a leading consumer magazine. - Borrowers opting for secured loans
Increasing numbers of borrowers are choosing to secure their loan against their home, a price comparison site has claimed. - Gross mortgage lending up 11% in January
Gross mortgage lending was up 11 per cent during January, new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) shows. - Musicians urged to insure their instruments
Britons who fail to insure their musical instruments are risking an especially painful financial hit in the event of theft or loss, a home insurance provider has warned. - CCTV makes 'no difference to home insurance costs'
Homeowners who fit CCTV to their homes in a bid to dissuade thieves should not expect to be charged lower home insurance premiums, a leading insurer has revealed. - Northern Rock shunning mortgage custom
Northern Rock customers are being told to go elsewhere for a new mortgage, it has been reported.
19/02/2008
- Brits losing faith in banks
Consumer confidence in British banks has been severely damaged by the fallout from the US sub-prime crisis, a study has shown. - Holding multiple credit cards 'can be confusing for consumers'
Borrowers with more than one credit can find it hard to properly monitor their spending, a financial expert has warned. - Holidaying motorists urged to check car insurance
Drivers planning to take their car overseas have been urged to check their car insurance policy before heading off. - NLA landlord enquiries hit record levels
Buy to let landlords are increasingly turning to professional bodies for advice over their investment, it has been revealed. - Lax lawyers could cost consumers their homes, FSA warns
The Financial Services Authority's (FSA) Consumer Panel has expressed concern that lawyers who are unfamiliar with regulations governing home repossession could impair homeowner's chances of keeping hold of their home. - Scan market for cheaper car loans, urges financial site
Car buyers who fail to scan the market before opting for a financing plan for their purchase could be paying thousands of pounds more than they need to, a price comparison site has warned. - Lloyds TSB bank accounts target the 'mobile generation'
Lloyds TSB is set to bolster the appeal of its range of added value accounts with a set of new features. - Home improvement is No1 reason for equity release
Home improvements remain the number one reason cited by mortgage holders seeking to release equity from their home, new data has shown. - First time buyers slowly returning to market
Increasing numbers of first time buyers entered the UK property market last month, new data indicates.
18/02/2008
- Fears over credit crunch spurring Brits to save
Fears over the impact of the credit crunch has prompted a new wave of fiscal responsibility among Britons, a study has shown. - Scottish house prices drop 1.6%
A drop in Scottish house prices during the last three months could signal the end of seven years of unchecked growth, it has been predicted. - Personal bankruptcy applications have doubled since 2003
The number of Britons submitting bankruptcy requests in England and Wales has more than doubled over the past four years, it has been confirmed. - Xmas sprees leave borrowers with debt concerns
The Christmas spending spree has left Britons facing ever increasing concerns over their ability to keep up their credit card repayments, a study suggests. - British Gas annual profits prompts mounting criticism
MPs have moved to condemn British Gas as it prepares to announce huge operating profits of £600 million. - Sainsbury's extends interest free period on balance transfers
Sainsbury's is to extend the length of its interest-free period on balance transfers for its credit card. - Brits saved less during second half of 2007
Increased pressure on households' finances has hit saving levels among Britons, a study suggests. - 'Poorer Britons disadvantaged by lack of cash payment options'
Poorer consumers are being denied access to a number of services by companies' failure to allow them to pay in cash. - House prices up 3.2% in January
UK property prices rose by 3.2 per cent during January, following four months of successive falls, a study from Rightmove reveals.
15/02/2008
- 'Mortgage fraud probe needed to restore consumer confidence'
The investigation into fraud in the mortgage industry is necessary to reassure consumers and enforce confidence in the sector, the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) has said. - Term insurance 'is a cheap way of ensuring financial security'
Term insurance is a "cheap way" of providing financial security for your family, it has been claimed. - Final pension life expectancy standard to be raised?
Proposed reforms to final pension rules could see providers being forced to use a more to up to date measurement for life expectancy. - Credit cards being used for household bills
Credit card spending was buoyed during last quarter by increasing numbers of Britons used their cards to pay household bills, it has been revealed. - Sub-prime lenders bring majority of repossession orders
Sub-prime lenders are accounting for a hugely disproportionate amount of home repossession orders, it has been revealed. - Report slams broadband providers
Broadband providers have been accused of dragging their feet over customers seeking to switch provider and take advantage of cheaper deals. - Rising prices leave 'vast majority' with financial struggles
The impact of rising inflation and higher energy bills has left far more Britons in financial straits than had previously been thought, it has been claimed. - Returns rise for buy to let investors
Rising rents meant improved returns for buy to let investors this year, according to research from Birmingham Midshires. - Mortgage lenders urged to help struggling clients
Mortgage lenders are failing to do enough to help struggling homeowners at risk of repossession, it has been claimed.
14/02/2008
- Lenders more cautious over 0% balance transfers
Lenders are becoming increasingly cautious over taking on customers for zero per cent balance transfers, a price comparison site has claimed. - Investment adviser: 'Approach introductory Isa offers cautiously'
A cautious approach is required when considering introductory offers from providers of interest savings accounts (Isas), a senior investment adviser has said. - ABI: Millions of newbuilds facing flood risk
Government plans to press ahead with newbuild targets could leave many of the homes' owners at risk of flooding, it has been claimed - Home ownership down for second consecutive year
The number of people who own their homes dropped by a record amount during 2007, according to government figures. - Brits are credit card kings of Europe
A new study has revealed that Britons are more likely to have a credit card than people from any other European country. - Direct Line insurance to help to identity fraud victims
Consumers signing up to Direct Line's home insurance policies are set to benefit from a helpline for victims of identity fraud. - New service set to facilitate joint mortgages
First time buyers considering a joint mortgage will be able to meet potential co-investors more easily than ever before thanks to the launch of a new website. - Nationwide to launch new bonds tomorrow
A new series of bonds from Nationwide offering "competitive interest rates and guaranteed returns for savers" will go on sale tomorrow, the lender has announced. - Total bill for roof damage hit £45bn last year
Damage to roofs caused during last summer’s storms left homeowners facing a collective bill of £4.5 billion last year, it has been revealed.
13/02/2008
- Buyers shunning fixed-rate deals
Fewer homebuyers opted for fixed-rate mortgage over the last 12 months, new research from brokers John Charcol shows. - Couples financially hamstrung by family responsibilities
A number of couples with elderly parents and young children are struggling to cope with the financial burden of supporting them, a poll has shown. - FSA planning mortgage fraud crackdown
The rising incidence of mortgage fraud has prompted a planned crackdown from the Financial Services Authority (FSA). - Till debt do we part
People who have split from a partner who was facing heavy debts should act now to make sure they are disassociated from their financial woes, a consumer credit company has warned. - 'Credit card companies prioritising cheaper debts'
Credit card providers are fleecing customers by thousands of pounds by unfairly prioritising repayments to clients' cheapest debts, it has been claimed. - Moneyexpert.com: 'Accounts with passbooks pay less interest'
Savings accounts which include passbooks pay significantly lower rates of interest, a price comparison site has found. - Post Office launches cash back incentive for insurance
Consumers who buy car and home insurance from the Post Office will benefit from a new cash back incentive. - Surveyors reported falling prices during January
The number of UK surveyors noting a drop in house prices continued to rise in January, a survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has revealed. - uSwitch: 'Seek out competitive loans for car purchases'
Motorists can significantly cut the amount they pay for new cars by financing the purchase with a competitive unsecured loan, it has been claimed.
12/02/2008
- Car insurance premiums rose 4.5% last year
Car insurance providers raised premiums by average of 4.5 per cent during the second half of 2007, new research shows. - Ethical Isa schemes grow in appeal
Increasing numbers of UK consumers are mulling investing in an independent savings account (Isa) which is tied to ethical investments, according to a poll. - Cautious Brits set to save more this year
Britons will react to this year's economic slowdown by cutting spending in favour of amassing savings in their accounts, according to one of the largest high street banks. - 'Home insurance prevents Valentine's Day disasters'
Failing to ensure you have sufficient home insurance cover could make Valentine's Day a disaster, a leading insurance provider has warned. - Fear of ageing stymies pension planning
One of the principal reasons people neglect to save for retirement is that this means deferring pleasure in the meantime and facing up to the dread notion that they will be old one day, the Pensions Advisory Service (PSA) has claimed. - Youngsters urged to start saving for retirement
Millions of young people will face severe disappointment unless they begin saving for their retirement now, a study suggests. - Independent credit card site to face challenge
Proposals to help consumers choose between credit cards through the launch of an independent comparison site could be stymied by a legal challenge, it has been suggested. - Homebuyers lack confidence despite rate cuts
Cuts to the base rate of interest have not had a significant impact on confidence among home buyers, it has been suggested. - Financial New Year's resolutions prove durable
Britons are better at keeping financial New Year's resolutions, such as saving cash rather than frittering it on luxuries, than more traditional pledges to change their lifestyle, it has been revealed. - Study highlights long-term decline of property sector
An increase in mortgage approvals during January cannot mask the long-term decline of the market, an estate agent has claimed.
11/02/2008
- British Gas raises online tariff
British Gas has confirmed it is to increase rates on its Click Energy 4 online tariff by 18.5 per cent. - Recession to hit romance this Valentine's Day
Britons wrestling with debts are set to spend less on Valentine's Day presents this year, it has been revealed. - Which?: 'Act now to avoid repossession'
A leading consumer magazine has issued advice to homeowners at risk of repossessions this year. - Homeowners 'should approach brokers for cheaper home insurance'
Homeowners should look beyond their mortgage provider to secure the cheapest deal for their home insurance, it has been claimed. - More Brits swapping credit card provider
More consumers are reacting to fears of an economic slowdown by swapping credit card provider in search of a cheaper deal, a price comparison site has claimed. - OFT unveils credit card reforms
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has unveiled a series of proposals intended to improve borrowers' ability to choose the best credit card deal. - Landlords urged to review home insurance cover
With investment property values increasing all the time, landlords should ensure they have sufficient home insurance cover or risk severe financial consequences, Sainsbury's Home Insurance has claimed. - Lenders seek to dodge interest rate cut
A number of savings account providers have cut interest rates on their products by considerably more than the Bank of England's base rate reduction, it has been reported. - LifeSearch and Axa launch new life insurance policy
A new insurance policy is to be trialled which it is claimed is guaranteed to pay out on its holder's death, irrespective of information that may have been withheld. - Investec mortgages target City workers
Investec Private Bank has launched a new product aimed at individuals, such as City workers, who earn a large portion of their wage from bonuses.
08/02/2008
- New current accounts welcomed by uSwitch
Competitive new current account offerings from HSBC and Alliance & Leicester have been welcomed by a price comparison site. - E.ON price rises to offset mortgage savings
Consumers served by the energy company E.ON will not benefit financially from yesterday’s cut to the base rate of interest, it has been claimed. - Nationwide warns over DCC
Nationwide has warned holidaymakers to be wary of the practice of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) when using their cards abroad. - Fixed rate mortgages appealing to more homeowners
The stability of fixed rate mortgages is becoming increasingly appealing to homeowners amid uncertainty in the financial markets, a new study has suggested. - Repossessions up 20 per cent last year
Repossessions in the UK housing market increased by 20 per cent over the course of 2007, figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show. - Lenders act fast to pass on rate cut
A number of the UK’s largest lenders have acted quickly to confirm they will be adjusting their rates in line with yesterday’s cut to the key base rate of interest. - 'Energy firms discriminating against pensioners'
Energy companies which offer discounted tariffs for customers who pay online or by direct debit are unfairly disadvantaging pensioners, it has been claimed. - House price growth slows further in January
House price growth across England and Wales continued to stagnate during January, new data shows. - Lloyds TSB launches new Isa
As competition hots up among independent savings account (Isa) providers, Lloyds TSB has announced the launch of a new high interest product. - Brits splash out on Valentines Day
As far as Britons are concerned nothing says 'I Love You' like an expensive present, a study suggests.
07/02/2008
- elephant.com study shows link between car accidents and star signs
Drivers’ abilities behind the wheel - or lack of - could be influenced by the year in which they were born, a study by car insurance provider elephant.co.uk suggests. - Energy probe branded a 'waste of money'
Taxpayers’ money would be better spent on promoting the benefits of switching energy provider than investigating the companies involved, it has been claimed. - Christmas credit card spending down
Credit card spending slowed over Christmas as more consumers chose to pay for goods outright, new figures show. - Lenders 'have not passed on last rate cut'
Many mortgage holders have not experienced an easing in repayment costs despite the pre-Christmas cut in the base rate of inflation, it has been revealed. - Interest rate cut by 0.25%
The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee has trimmed interest rates by 0.25 per cent, it has been confirmed. - Switch current account providers to save £180
Switching current account providers can bring a host of benefits, data from a price comparison site has shown. - Tenants 'neglecting' home contents insurance
Britons in rented accommodation are gambling with huge financial losses by failing to take out adequate home contents insurance, it has been revealed. - Darling rules US-style housing crash
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has ruled out a repeat of the US sub-prime crisis in the UK property market. - More first time buyers choosing joint mortgages
More and more first time buyers opted for joint mortgages last year to enable them to get on the housing ladder, it has been claimed.
06/02/2008
- January is peak month for debt consolidation loans
The month of January is marked by thousands of Britons acting to exercise greater control over their personal finances, new research suggests. - Brits saving more, report shows
The prospect of an economic slowdown and increased living costs is prompting more Britons to curb their spending and put aside more of their wages, a new report suggests - 'Act now to secure best buy Isas'
Savers must act now to avoid missing out on the best buy individual savings accounts (Isas), according to Michelle Slade of Moneyfacts.co.uk. - More homeowners swapping mortgage providers
Homeowners are reacting to the prospect of an economic downturn by swapping mortgage providers in search of a cheaper deal, new research suggests. - Cheap energy deals still available, says finance site
Consumers should not let allegations that energy companies are colluding to fix prices distract them from the good deals on the market, a price comparison site has said. - 'Rate cut offers savings for variable rate mortgage holders'
Homeowners on variable rate mortgages should take advantage of a cut in interest rates tomorrow and move to cut their repayment term, a financial analyst has advised. - Computer game advises youngster about debt
A new online computer game has been launched to teach young people how to manage their money and cope with debt. - 'Simple precautions can prevent online credit card fraud'
Following a series of simple precautions will help cut the chances of falling victim to credit card fraud online, the CPP has advised. - Norwich Union to pay out to policy holders
Holders of Norwich Union with-profits life insurance policies are set for a significant windfall, it has been announced.
05/02/2008
- Banks offering poor service online
UK banks and building societies are providing a poor standard of service to customers conducting their banking online, it has been revealed - Consumers urged to scour providers pricing plans
Saving money on your energy bills does not necessarily necessitate changing provider, a price comparison site has said. - 'Search beyond specialist providers for cheapest deals'
Drivers in specialist car insurance categories should look beyond specialist insurance providers to secure the best deal, according to a price comparison site. - More simplification of Isas is needed, says Alliance & Leicester
Further simplification of individual savings accounts (Isas) is required to make them more popular with consumers, it has been claimed. - City investment propping up London house prices
Investment from the City is continuing to support property prices in London, it has been revealed. - Brits struggling to save
Brits would like to save more money but are finding it increasingly difficult to do so, according to a new survey. - £2 trillion of equity built up by homeowners
Britons are currently holding nearly £2 trillion worth of property equity, according to figures from GE Money Home Lending. - 'Loan holders must be open with their partners'
Keeping loans, debts or the general state of your finances from your partner increases the stress experienced by the borrower, it has been claimed. - Experian: Egg customers' credit rating will not be impaired
Borrowers whose credit card was cancelled by Egg will find their credit ratings unaffected, the UK’s credit rating provider has said.
04/02/2008
- Now is the time to invest in an Isa, experts warn
Falling share prices have made the present an ideal time to invest an individual savings account (Isa), experts have said. - More Brits looking at overseas property investment
Property purchases overseas are appealing to more and more Britons, it has been revealed. - Listed buildings are costlier to insure, warns NFU Mutual
The specialist nature of listed buildings means that home insurance policies are more expensive, a rural home insurance provider has warned. - Pension holders unaware of providers' charges
Millions of pension holders are unaware of the charges levied by their providers, a new study has found. - Isa holders 'could miss out on £230bn'
Independent savings account (Isa) holders stand to pay billions of pounds more than they should in tax this year because they are not using their full yearly deposit allowance. - First born children more likely to be helped with deposit
Parents are more likely to help first born children with raising a deposit than their siblings, it has been revealed. - Four in five Brits overpay for financial products
Over four in five consumers are paying too much for financial products, it has been claimed. - More card firms to follow Egg's lead
Credit card companies could be set to cut the spending limits of hundreds and thousands of customers in coming months, according to a leading personal finance website. - 'Shop around for best energy deal', says Which?
The recently announced price rise from ScottishPower has highlighted the need for consumers to shop around for the best deal for gas and electricity, a leading consumer magazine has said.
01/02/2008
- Kids relying on mum and dad for longer
Rising living costs mean that more and more young people are relying on their parents for financial support. - 'Self employed benefit most from MPPI'
Self employed people are those most likely to need mortgage payment protection (MPPI) insurance, it has been claimed. - Debt consolidators warned over "home owner loans"
Consumers looking to consolidate their debts "should avoid anything that's presented as a home owner loan", the editor of a personal finance magazine has warned. - esure warns over badly gritted roads
Badly gritted roads are set to see a rash of car accidents this winter, it has been predicted. - Manchester is 'a good bet for first time buyers'
First time buyers have been advised to consider Manchester as the location for their first home. - Consumers urged to consider incapacity cover of insurance
Consumers should take into account the prospect of losing their livelihood when considering insurance policies, it has been claimed. - UK insolvencies fell last year
The number of Britons declared insolvent during 2007 has dipped slightly from last year's record high, it has been revealed. - Second home ownership 'adds to first time buyers' plight'
Second home ownership is negatively affecting the UK property market, with first time buyers bearing the brunt of the damage, it has been claimed. - More pensioners planning overseas retirement
Over one-third of Britons are planning to head for sunnier climes when they retire, it has been revealed. - Graduate debt 'could affect job prospects'
Graduates who have defaulted on debts could be jeopardising their job prospects, it has been claimed.
Money News: January 2008 | December 2007 | November 2007
