Direct Marketing Helps to Optimise Savings Offers within a World of Debt Culture

In these testing times, it can be difficult for marketers to put the finance into a targeted advertising campaign but direct marketing has been proven to actually save money and increase conversions by targeting the relevant people with money saving deals.

Carpet bombing the web with generic banner ads and hoping for the best, may be a tempting tactic to opt for if a business is pushed for time and finances.  However, advertisers choosing to utilise the internet’s direct marketing potential are benefitting from what is a surprisingly easy campaign to set up.

Any business that has a customer database or even a subscription requirement on their site already has a wealth of demographic data at their fingertips.   Choosing to use it is simply the next step into direct marketing.

Websites offering money saving deals are reaping the benefits of this marketing strategy because of the niche angle that comes with it.  The customer analysis they’ve gained from their collated data of previous sales gives them a heads-up on customer spending habits, interests and approximate budgets.

With those factors in mind, they can direct specific offers towards customers who are more likely to respond to such deals.  More impressively, they could use the data to target customers who can afford these types of offers – eliminating the amount of wasted ad space on the screens of uninterested customers, who typically don’t spend their money in that advertised area.

There’s a fine line between prejudging customers and using their demographic profile to offer them certain deals or not.  When used correctly, marketers can divide their audience into segments and select which service/product they have available should be advertised to which target group.

Conversion rates on targeted ads are much higher because of this and although it may seem unfair to ‘group’ people into categories, the offers from a business are still available to everybody and are often advertised more generically through other mediums (TV, Radio, etc).

By assigning ads to each demographic group, direct marketers are personalising the user’s internet experience and can even influence the ads on the side of their Facebook page.

The concept behind Facebook advertising is pretty much the same as all other forms of direct marketing, except the process is operated entirely within the Facebook world of tagging, likes and groups.

For example, if a Facebook account holder ‘likes’ a group titled ‘Yes! The football season is back’, digital TV services like SKY could advertise their sports channel packages in the right sidebar of that user’s News Feed page.  Similarly, leisure centres could advertise to that presumed ‘sporty’ user too.

It’s a remarkable method of building a customer analysis and by actively using these social networking sites, businesses also have the opportunity to interact with thousands of customers via live forum feeds, which could be seen as an even more direct approach to direct marketing.

The operation requires a little bit of human input but considering the data is probably already available to businesses because of the demographic data they have previously collected, half the battle is over before the campaign has even begun.

In a world of debt, recession and possible depression – direct marketing exclusively alerts people to money saving deals who appreciate them most.  At the same time, the technique has the potential to eradicate the annoying online adverts that have no relevancy to user’s individual interests.  Not to mention the spamming generation pending doom because of this smarter advertising method.

The internet is set to be a happier and more sophisticated place because of direct marketing and is such a gift to marketers in need of more accurate email lists to distribute their electronic ads.

The social networking side of the approach is an added bonus too and a wasted gem by web-ignorant companies.  In today’s world, deal making businesses need an online presence and direct marketing can deliver that, with little cost and minimum groundwork.

Tags: targeted advertising, social networking, demographic, web-ignorant, Business Finance

Interest rates unlikely to increase this year

A recent poll has suggested that the base interest rate is unlikely to be increased over the course of this year, which is something that will bring relief to many homeowners and borrowers who are already struggling to make ends meet due to soaring costs and bills. The data comes from the latest Reuters poll of economists, which reveal that there is now only a 30 percent chance that the Monetary Policy Committee will increase the base rate from its current record low of just 0.5 percent where it has been for well over two years.

However, economists are predicting that there will be a base rate increase in the first quarter of next year although some believe that the next rate hike could be at least one year away, perhaps even longer. One industry official welcomed the news of the unlikelihood of a rate rise, stating that there were many households and individuals that would not be able to cope with a rate increase in the current climate due to overstretched finances, soaring living costs and rocketing bills.

He said: “Given that many people in the UK are currently struggling to make ends meet, an interest rate rise which will push up mortgage payments will cause a huge increase in families facing financial difficulty. The longer that interest rates are left unchanged the better from a personal debt point of view.”

The MPC has faced a difficult decision over recent months when it comes to increase interest rates, as members have been under pressure to vote for an increase due to soaring inflation levels but have also been under pressure to keep the rate on hold because of the concerns about the economy and affordability.

Tags: course, uk, Business Finance, reuters poll, quarter, mortgage, committee

Housing valuation activity levels increase in May

A recent report has shown that the level of mortgage valuation activity increased for the months of May, reflecting the sixth month in a row where this activity has seen an increase. The data was released by Connells Survey and Valuation, which recently released its Housing Market Activity report.

The report showed that when it came to mortgage valuations the month of April had seen activity remain largely flat. However, this changed in May with the number of mortgage valuations said to have increased by around 22 percent compared to the previous month. Compared to the same period last year, the number of valuations in May increased by 26 percent. This will most likely be taken as another positive sign of some level of recovery in the property market in the UK.

The data showed that one of the reasons behind the increase in activity was a marked increase in interest from first time buyers in the market. In total first time buyers made up 34 percent of all valuation activity according to the report. However, the figure was further boosted by existing homeowners who were looking to move home. There was an increase of around 11 percent on valuations for house movers for May compared to the previous month.

An official from Connells stated: “Housing market activity has resumed its slow and steady upwards trajectory, driven by an upturn at the lower end of the market. Many first-time buyers have been encouraged to enter the market by the uptick in the number of higher LTV products available recently. However, for the average first-time buyer, mortgage finance still presents a formidable challenge. The increasing variety of products is offset against comparatively high rates – alongside overly stringent criteria demanded by lenders.”

Tags: steady upwards trajectory, variety, homeowners, Business Finance, Real estate, percent

Family debt set to spiral

It has been suggested recently that family debt is set to spiral out of control over the next four years, with families expected to be struggling with average debts of around £84,000 per household. A report claims that the level of total household debt by 2015, including mortgages, loans, and credit cards, will reach an amazing £2,126 billion. For many this prediction is cause for concern given the difficult financial future that many people are already facing.

The documents were released by the government’s spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility. Over recent months this agency is said to have significantly increased its predictions when it comes to the size and level of household debt in Britain. At present the debt level stands at £1,628 billion but it is predicted that this will increase every year until the end of parliament in 2015.

The Office of Budget Responsibility has said that part of the reason for this increased forecast when it comes to household debt is the austerity drive from the government, which is set to have a huge impact on families and households, affecting their finances hugely. In June of last year the prediction was that household debt would stand at £1,823 billion by 2015.

There are concerns that as a result of the government cutbacks, the soaring cost of living, and wage freezes or cuts, many families will have no other option but to increase their debts in order to keep their heads above water, but their ability to do this and to repay their debts will eventually run out, leaving them in a very difficult financial situation.

Labour’s treasury spokesman David Hanson said: ‘Hard-pressed families will have to borrow more money to deal with the effect of George Osborne’s tax and benefits squeeze.’

Tags: situation, credit, financial, Cost of living, Business Finance, debt level, government cutbacks

Property Ombudsman reports on estate agent complaint figures

Estate agents have never been known as one of the best loved professions in the UK, and many people joke about how wary they are of estate agents. However, is seems that many people actually are not huge fans of people in this profession and this has been reflected in recent complaints figures that have been released by the Financial Ombudsman, Christopher Hamer.

According to Hamer the number of complaints that were made last year against estate agents in the UK soared to their highest level since records began two decades ago. The previous peak when it came to complaints about estate agents was seen during the peak of the financial crisis and recession back in 2008, but last year’s levels surpassed even this by a massive 28 percent according to the figures.

There were a number of main reasons why people were complaining and in total there were 1338 official complaints that were made against estate agents last year. These related to matter such as lack of communication from the estate agent, marketing and advertising used by the estate agent, and the way in which estate agents had handled complaints made by consumers. Hamer said that the level of complaints was unacceptable and that people were simply not willing to put up with poor service, bad communication, etc. any longer when they were having to shell out a lot of money in the difficult financial climate.

Hamer said: “People are less ready to be satisfied in times of economic stress to accept less than perfect service, especially when they are spending a lot of money.”

The figures showed that the vast majority of complaints related to lack of communications between the estate agents and the consumer. The highest levels of complaints were made against estate agents in the South East.

Tags: Business Finance, United Kingdom, property, percent, vast majority, The Property Ombudsman

Interest rates stay at all time low

The base rate is to stay on hold at its record low level of 0.5 percent for another month, following the announcement from the Bank of England after the March Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The base rate was lowered to the all time of 0.5 percent in March 2008 when the Labour party was still in power, and with the recession taking its toll on the economy has remained at this level ever since.

In the run up to the latest MPC meeting some industry officials believed that the MPC would increase the base rate because of the soaring rate of inflation. The government’s target for inflation is just 2 percent by the rate of inflation has now soared to double this at 4 percent. Increasing interest rates would help to bring the rate of inflation down, hence the MPC had been under increasing pressure to increase the interest rate.

Whilst many people were calling for a base rate increase in order to try and keep a lid on inflation there will also be many people that are relieved that the base interest rate has been kept on hold, especially homeowners with variable rate mortgages. This means that they can enjoy one more month of avoiding increases in their monthly repayments.

Speculation has already arisen about when the base rate will now be increased, with some believing that it will be later on in the year. However, one official said that it can depend on a lot of things including the mood of the MPC.

He said: ‘It is possible that, despite today’s vote to leave policy unchanged, the hawks gained the support of another member. Accordingly, a rate rise within the next few months would hardly come as a shock. But raising rates now would just mean that it will take even longer for them to get back to “normal” levels. If rates do rise, I expect the move to be a small one – and if I am right about the economic outlook, even this might later be reversed.’

Tags: order, Business Finance, target, inflation, base interest rate, record low level, government, homeowners

Pressure on interest rates stems from inflation

Many borrowers with variable rate mortgages or loans could see their monthly repayments rise over the course of this year, as the pressure is piled on for the Bank of England and the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the base rate in order to keep a lid on inflation. The level of inflation has now soared to 3.7 percent, which is close to double the target level of 2 percent as set by the government.

There are now concerns that the MPC will have to make the difficult decision to increase the base rate so that inflation can be brought back under control. The base rate has been at an all time low of just 0.5 percent for nearly two years now, and this has brought welcome relief to many people with variable rate loans and mortgages, as it has resulted in their repayments coming down.

It is thought that inflation could continue to soar, and this rise in inflation will not be helped by the increase in VAT, which rose to 20 percent at the start of this year reflecting an increase of 2.5 percent. A number of other things were blamed for the increase in inflation, including food costs,  higher utility bills, soaring fuel prices, and air transport.

One economist said: “Despite the undeniably significant risk to growth coming from the fiscal tightening that is now increasingly kicking in, there is mounting pressure on the Bank of England to enact at least a token near-term interest rate hike to send out the message that it has not taken its eye off the inflation ball.”

The British Chambers of Commerce warned: “Raising rates at a time when fiscal policy is being tightened, while businesses and individuals are facing greater pressures, would be a mistake and should be avoided.”

Tags: significant risk, Business Finance, inflation ball, variable rate loans, policy, target, air transport

Make 2011 the time to get a better credit card deal

Whilst many people in the UK are on poor credit card deals, with high rates of interest and little to nothing in the way of benefits, many fail to take any action such as switching to a more favourable credit card. However, with 2011 almost upon us now could be the time to act, and by doing this cardholders could enjoy far greater benefits or could enjoy paying far less – or even nothing – in interest.

At the start of 2011 new regulations will come in, which will see credit card providers having to make a number of changes to the way in which they operate in order to benefit consumers. This will include a new minimum payment system, which will ensure that cardholders are not left festering in debt indefinitely because of minimum repayments, and more importantly the need for card providers to apply repayments to more expensive debt rather than the cheapest debt, which could save consumers a small fortune in interest.

However, there are fears that these changes, which are due to come in soon, could result in credit card provider trying to bring in sneaky new charges and increase interest rates in order to recoup their losses, and some credit card holders could find themselves paying even more for their borrowing as a result of this.

Rather than just putting up with the way that credit card providers decide to change the account many cardholders could find that they can benefit hugely in terms of their finances by taking the time to find a more competitive deal on their credit card, which will help them to start the New Year in the way that they mean to go on – with streamlined finances and in a better financial position.

Whilst credit cards are not as easy to get as they once were, prior to the onset of the global financial crisis, it is possible to get a good deal on a credit card if you have a decent credit rating. The easiest way to do this is to get online and find a credit card that suits your needs, but which offers far better value for money than your existing card. You can then save money on the amount of interest that you pay, or if you do not tend to spread your repayments you could even opt for a rewards based credit card.

Tags: Credit Cards, minimum payment, increase, amount, personal finance

How you can save money in the New Year

At this time of year, with 2011 almost upon us, there will be many people working out what they want to do for their New Year’s resolution. Of course, there are some resolutions that are more common than others, and this includes saving money over the coming year. With finances tight for many people it is likely that a huge number of people will be making a promise to save money next year.

However, making a resolution to save money is easy enough but actually saving money is a different matter altogether. You need to be able to find the means to save cash, and this involves going through your income and outgoings to see where cutbacks can be made.

Often, people overlook the fact that they can quite easily cut back on the cost of their bills and shopping simply by making a few changes. With so many people in debt now officials are urging consumers to focus on putting any spare money towards paying off debts, and by cutting back on the amount that you spend you can get more disposable cash to put towards things like credit cards, catalogues, store cards, and other types of debt.

One thing that is well worth doing in the New Year is checking whether you can find better deals on services such as insurance, energy bills, and broadband. By seeking out more competitive deals you could save a fair amount of cash each month, which could be put to better use clearing off your debts – or if you are lucky enough not to have any debt to put into savings for emergencies or for a rainy day.

Going online and comparing prices of services such as these couldn’t be easier these days thanks to the Internet, and you will find that switching involves nothing more than the click of a button and maybe a phone call. Competition in the market means that you could get some great deals on your services, and you can compare them with ease when you go online.

Also, it is worth taking a look at your shopping habits to see if you can cut back on the amount that you spend. Resist the temptation to go shopping without a list, as otherwise you end up buying stuff you didn’t really need, and go a little further afield to find discount supermarkets that offer a range of goods at far lower prices than the supermarket giants. Also, consider shopping online – although there is a delivery charge you are less likely to start buying things randomly even though you don’t need them just because they are displayed temptingly in front of you.

Tags: outgoings, savings, New Year, saving, disposable cash, Business Finance, store cards

Consumers advised to focus on debts for New Year

Industry experts are advising consumers to focus on their debt issues once the New Year comes around in order to avoid having to spend another year struggling with their finances, particularly given that the economy and job situation is still very challenging and fragile. Many people will have been struggling with debt for some time, whereas others may accrue temporary debt over the Christmas period. Either way, experts are suggesting that they tackle their debt problems head on once 2011 hits.

For many people in debt it is all too easy to bury their heads in the sand and try and forget about their debts until they spiral out of control to the extent that action has to be taken either by the borrower or their creditors. Many people are using, or have already used, their credit cards to fund their purchases over the festive season this year, and this could lead to spiralling debt levels for many people.

Tackling debt can be difficult but officials believe that by kicking the New Year off in the way that they mean to go on consumers are able to tackle their debt issues more effectively by streamlining their finances and getting things into order. Some are advising consumers to go through their budget with a fine toothcomb and go through their income and outgoings to see where they can make cutbacks to save on the amount that they pay out each month and avoid further debt.

One official said: “Another option for consumers when the New Year comes around is to consider taking out a consolidation loan and wrapping all of their various debts into one lower interest one, as this could save them money and the hassle of dealing with different creditors.”

Tags: action, Business Finance, month, festive season, job situation

Credit card spending to soar this week

As Christmas Day fast approaches many people are rushing around trying to sort out their last minute Christmas shopping, and many will be doing this using their credit cards. Research has been carried out and the results indicate that many people will be spending on their credit cards this week in the run up to Christmas. The research was carried out by Sainsbury’s Finance.

Many people that have already done their Christmas shopping will have given their credit cards a good airing, but it appears that the consumer assault on credit cards is not over yet, as many are still hitting the shops brandishing their plastic as they rush around to try and get their last minute gifts or try and pick up a bargain in the last few shopping days before the big day.

Officials from Sainsbury’s Finance are now claiming that consumers will spend almost £2 billion on their credit cards in the week leading up to Christmas Day. In total around £6.7 billion is expected to be spent in the run up to Christmas, and just under one third of this will be on credit cards.

The big freeze that has been seen over the past couple of weeks has put people off from hitting the High Streets in the usual way, but has not put people off from shopping. Many will be getting their credit cards at the ready and getting online to order goods from the comfort and warmth of their own homes using their credit cards.

However, those that are planning to make purchases online in time for Christmas need to be conscious of the effect that the weather conditions are having on deliveries, which could result in some deliveries being delayed until after Christmas.

Tags: Business Finance, deliveries, effect, christmas, finance, Christmas Day, minute christmas

PPI bill for UK banks could hit £5 billion

An analysis group has claimed that the UK’s major banks could be facing a bill of around £5 billion in relation to PPI claims from customers that believe that they were mis-sold this cover. US investment bank officials from Morgan Stanley claims that this could be the bill that UK banks are facing over the next five years, with the estimates cost of dealing with these claims continuing to increase.

Barclay’s Banks, Lloyds TSB, and HSBC are amongst those that may be footing some of this huge compensation bill. The prediction comes after American banking giant, the Bank of America, had to set aside $592 million to deal with forecast claims over Payment Protection Insurance. Officials believe that the cost to UK banks will be even higher.

Morgan Stanley has said that at the very least, as a base case scenario, the bill for UK banks is likely to be just over £2.6 billion. However, this is based on only a quarter of PPI policyholders making a claim, and also on fewer than half of these claims being upheld. Should the claims and approvals be higher than this the cost of dealing with claims could be considerably higher.

The average payout to each successful applicant is likely to be around £2000. PPI came under fire after investigations showed that over the years banks and financial institutions had been involved in mis-selling the cover, and this has resulted in many people finding themselves eligible to make a claim for compensation.

The Financial Services Authority has been trying to clamp down on PPI sales, and has brought in new proposals. However, these are being appealed by the British Bankers’ Association, which claims that the financial regulator is trying to apply new rules and standards to old sales.

 

Tags: bank, Business Finance, PPI sales, protection, mortgage, uk banks, Primary dealers, Barclay's Banks

Another drop in house prices for October

October has seen another fall in house prices in the UK according to recently released figures. The figures have been released by Nationwide, and the High Street lender has said that the dearth of buyers in the UK has resulted in continued falls with house prices.

The average property price in the UK is said to have fallen by £2400 in October, with the Nationwide’s house price index falling by 0.7 percent over the course of the month due to buyers steering clear of the market. Over the course of the month the average property price has now fallen to £164,381.

Over recent months the pressure on house prices in the UK has been mounting, as buyers have shied away from the market for a variety of reasons. There are many would be buyers that simply cannot get a mortgage due to current restrictions in the market, and many others that could get a mortgage but cannot afford the high deposit levels that lenders are asking for.

Another factor that is likely to have a serious impact on buyer interest and property prices is the spending Review recently outlined by the coalition government. The sweeping spending cuts that have been proposed will have raised concerns amongst households and individuals who are now in fear of losing their jobs due to the cuts in the public sector, which could also have a knock on effect on the private sector.

An economist from Nationwide said: ‘If the recent trend in house prices were to continue through November and December, the annual rate of house price inflation would drop to between 0% and minus 1% by the end of 2010. This would compare to a rate of 5.9% at the end of 2009.’

Tags: Nationwide Building Society, economist, average property price, finance, buyer, Business Finance, Spending Review (United Kingdom)

Banks may offer more competitive deals than brokers

A recent report has shown that banks in the UK may be offering more competitive mortgage loan deals directly rather than through brokers, which means that consumers that go through a broker could find that they end up paying more than they would if they went directly through a lender in some cases.

Direct providers and banks are said to be offering highly competitive mortgage loan deals to try and stay a step ahead of rival providers, and this means that going through a broker could end up being more expensive. However, brokers have stated that if consumers choose to bypass them they could end up missing out on a range of specialist deals.

Some mortgage lenders such as the internet banking giant First Direct, which is part of the HSBC group, have decided to bypass brokers altogether for their deals. Officials from First Direct have said that there is no need for the company to go through brokers when they are able to offer such competitive deals direct to the consumer.

However, brokers claim that there are a number of reasons why consumers should go through a broker rather than direct to a bank, such as the diminishing number of people that now qualify for banks’ deals, and the fact that whilst a particular bank may be offering the best rate at one point this can quickly change.

One broker said: “First Direct and HSBC may have the best deals today but this can change and, besides, the number of applicants who will actually qualify for the banks’ criteria of three times income, a squeaky-clean credit record and large deposit, is fast diminishing. The reality is that most cases are not this easy and will require the expertise and contacts of a mortgage broker.”

Tags: point, consumer, Mortgage broker, fast diminishing, bank, broker, Business Finance, finance

April sees drop in mortgage lending

The mortgage lending figures for April in the UK have suffered a fall according to recently released figures. The figures were released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders earlier this week, and showed that in April gross mortgage lending fell by 12 percent.

The figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders showed that the level of mortgage lending for the month reached a value of £10.2 billion. This marks the lowest level of mortgage lending in the UK during April for ten years according to reports. The figure reflected a £1.4 billion drop compared to the previous month, with mortgage lending levels for the month of March coming in at £11.6 billion.

The level of mortgage lending this April was also down by 1 percent compared to April of last year, when the mortgage and property markets were still severely depressed. Officials from the Council of Mortgage Lenders said that there were expectations of a slight decline in mortgage lending for the month of April due to a number of factors, including when the Easter holiday fell this year.

However, despite the discouraging figures the Council of Mortgage Lenders has said that the mortgage market is still on target at present to reach its aim of lending £150 billion in mortgage loans over the course of the year.

Whilst the mortgage market has seen some level of recovery over recent months there are still a number of problems facing groups such as first time buyers. Many are still being expected to raise a fairly sizeable deposit by lenders, which is hampering their efforts to get onto the property ladder, and these demands are being made due to the financial difficulties that are still affecting some of the banks themselves as they try to recover from the financial crisis.

Tags: finance, Business Finance, property markets, mortgage, council of mortgage lenders, financial crisis, Mortgage loan, gross mortgage lending

Warning for pensioners over tax codes

It was revealed recently that the systems being used by HM Revenue and Customs had resulted in millions of tax codes being incorrect, which in turn was leading to many people potentially paying too much or too little in the way of tax. Read more

Tags: end, Business Finance, Tax code, Low Incomes Tax Reform Group, customs, finance, Taxation in the United Kingdom, amalgamation

CML revises repossession forecasts again

It has been reported that the Council of Mortgage Lenders has once again cut its forecasts for repossession numbers in the UK, having taken more recent industry figures and market conditions into consideration. Read more

Tags: Business Finance, repossessions, Mortgages, quarter, time, cml, council of mortgage lenders, CML revises repossession

Now could be the time to get on the property ladder

According to the results of a recent survey that was carried out many Brits think that it is now a good time to purchase a property and get onto the property ladder. The Building Societies Association carried out the survey, and the results showed that whilst market conditions continued to be difficult in the mortgage sector many Brits were still convinced that this was a good time to buy due to various other factors. Read more

Tags: the Brits, economics, property ladder, Business Finance, building societies association

Dramatic fall in balance transfer card deals over recent years

Over recent years many consumers have benefited from using balance transfer credit cards, as these cards have allowed them to save money on their credit card debt interest. Read more

Tags: period, balance transfer credit card, credit card balance transfers, interest, balance transfers, Business Finance, balance transfer credit cards, United Kingdom

Financial complaints soar into their millions

Recent figures that were released have shown that consumer complaints relating to financial services have soared into their millions over the past few years, with data showing that between 2006 and 2008 more than nine million separate complaints were made to financial firms in the UK. Read more

Tags: Business Finance, fsa, mortgage endowments, United Kingdom, loan complaints, financial complaints, Complaint, bank complaints

Many pensioners set to lose their home care facilities

According to a recent report many pensioners in the UK are set to lose their home care facilities such as meals on wheels and help with shopping, washing, and household chores, and this is as a result of government cutbacks. Read more

Tags: result, pensioners, pensioner home care, sector, home care, Business Finance, old age, Household

Ups and downs for the property market

Over the past couple of weeks the property market has seen both ups and downs, with industry officials stating that whilst there is improvement in some areas of the property market there are also many problems that are still affecting the property market quite severely. Read more

Tags: royal, housing market, Business Finance, fitch ratings, good news, industry officials, property prices

Warning issued over HMRC message

Over the past couple of weeks authorities have had to issue warnings over a new email scam that was doing the rounds claiming to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Read more

Tags: scam, Business Finance, email scams, result, hmrc email scam, fair, Fair Trading, customs

Worries about finances affecting borrowing levels

It has recently been reported that the level of borrowing amongst consumers in the UK has been negatively affected as a result of so many consumers being worried about their financial situations. Read more

Tags: personal finances, financial crisis, External Commercial Borrowing, behaviour, finance, personal finance, Business Finance

Government moves to help the indebted

It seems that the government has decided to take drastic measures in order to help those in huge levels of debt according to a recent report. Read more

Tags: economy, debt help, Business Finance, Insolvency law, report, investment, Lottery, debt relief orders

90 percent mortgages fall by 97 percent over two and a half years

Most people are well aware that the mortgage market has been experiencing problems over the past couple of years, since the onset of the global credit crunch, and many mortgage products, particularly for groups such as first time buyers, have been disappearing from the shelves making it difficult for many people to get an affordable mortgage loan. Read more

Tags: worrying, 90% LTV mortgages, 90% mortgages, Business Finance, loan, Mortgages, Loan to value

Will recession be over by autumn?

It has been claimed in a recently released report that the UK industry could have pulled itself out of recession by as early as autumn of this year, after figures showed that there was an improvement in activity in May compared to April. Read more

Tags: double digit declines, score, Business Finance, CIPS, output, industry officials, activity index reading, recession

Average family could lose hundreds in holiday spending money

It has recently been claimed that the average family in the UK could lose hundreds of pounds worth of holiday spending money when they go away because of a combination of the weak pound and the extortionate charges imposed by credit card companies when consumers use their credit cards abroad. Read more

Tags: holiday spending, Business Finance, financial headlines, family holiday, money, holidays, expense

Job cuts will not necessarily mean recovery

It has recently been claimed that many of the financial companies, banks, and insurance firms that have been slashing jobs over recent months will not find that this necessarily puts them on course for a speedier recovery from the financial crisis. Read more

Tags: job cuts, recognise, core employees, bid, United States, recession

Consumer wasting money by failing to switch credit cards

It has been reported that many consumers in the UK are simply wasting their money and paying far more than they need to on their borrowing, simply because they haven’t taken the time or made the effort to switch their credit card to a more suitable and affordable one. Read more

Tags: balance transfers, switch credit cards, tighter credit conditions, Business Finance, credit card debt, festive season, interest

RICS states property sales levels may rise

Surveyors from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have indicated that there could be an increase in property sales over the coming months, as the level of interest shown by potential buyers has been increasing lately. Read more

Tags: Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Business Finance, actual sales, property sales, potential buyers, property enquiries

Banks leaving many high and dry by taking money from their accounts

A number of banks have been accused of taking money from consumers’ accounts by stealth, with officials stating that this practice is leaving many people high and dry, with no cash left with which to make essential payments such as pay bills, rent, and mortgage. Read more

Tags: british bankers association, cash, advice bureau, banks, Citizen Advice Bureau, climate, payment, Business Finance

Compensation for Standard Life clients

In a recent report it has been revealed that Standard Life will indeed by compensating a number of its policyholders following controversy over its Pension Sterling Fund, which recently hit the headlines after policyholder suffered losses and industry groups claimed that the literature that Standard Life had sent out was misleading. Read more

Tags: funds, Pension, opportunity, policyholder suffered losses, standard life, investments

Building society admits to mistake over mortgage email

The Skipton Building Society has recently admitted that it made a mistake after sending out an email relating to mortgage lending. The lender described the email as a ‘mistaken communication’. Read more

Tags: housing, Mortgages, Business Finance, loan, society, skipton building society, American Home Mortgage, bed

Taxpayers pay bonus for Rock employees

Over recent months the government has been using taxpayers’ money for a variety of purposes, sparking concern amongst opposition parties and the public with regards to how the public purse is being used. Read more

Tags: Northern Rock bonus, economics, pay, Northern Rock employee bonus, Taxpayers pay bonus

Future bleak for economy in UK

According to business leaders the future for the economy in the UK is looking very bleak, with many claiming that in the final part of last year the economy experienced ‘frightening deterioration’. Read more

Tags: interest, rate, recession, Business Finance, consumer, British Retails Consortium, part, uk economy

Barclays makes prediction on house prices and unemployment

The chief executive of the Barclays Group, John Varley, has recently spoken out about his predictions for both house price movement and unemployment in the UK over the course of this year.

There have been a number of predictions made by a variety of industry groups and professionals with regards to how quickly and by how much house prices will fall, as well as with regards to how fast and aggressively unemployment levels will rise.

Varley stated recently that over the course of this year he expected house prices to slide by around 10-15 percent, with Barclays having predicted a total slide of between 25-30 percent between 2007 and 2009.

He stated: “We’re probably about halfway through that period, so in other words we’ve got another 10-15 percent to fall between now and the end of next year.”

He also said that he expected unemployment levels to rise by over 7 percent over the course of this year.

With regards to unemployment levels he stated: “I think an additional 700,000 people unemployed over the course of the next 12 months is certainly possible to contemplate.”

He said that banks, central banks, and the government were partly to blame for the recession and the financial problems being experienced in the UK.

He also said that Barclays had refused a government bailout because it wanted to remain independent so that its growth overseas would not be marred, stating: “If British taxpayers’ money is going to be deployed in a bank as a result of the government owning shares in that bank, then a big part of the agenda of that bank and a lot of that incremental capital has to be directed at the UK. Our UK business is extremely important to us, but we employ more people outside the UK than inside the UK, we have more customers outside the UK than inside the UK, and it’s very important to me that that agenda of growth outside the UK is unimpaired.”

Tags: Central bank, barclays house prices, house, Barclays Group, unemployment

Consumer may end up paying through the nose for using overdrafts for Christmas spending

Industry officials have warned that many consumers may end up paying through the nose for using their overdraft facilities to fund the expense of Christmas. Many may also be planning to dip into their overdrafts to make purchases in the January sales, resulting in an increase in the number of people that will be hit with these charges. Read more

Tags: Business Finance, Christmas spending, base, sales bargains, borrowing

Unsold homes results in decreasing rents

Recent reports have shown that the number of unsold homes in the UK are resulting in the amount of rent being charged on rental properties being driven down. Over recent months more and more homeowners that were hoping to sell their properties have found that in the current climate they are unable to secure a sale for their properties, and with many unable to keep on top of mortgage repayments a large number of these sellers decided to put their homes up for rent on the market. Read more

Tags: unsold homes, official, house market, landlord, Renting, Affordable housing, current accounts, Business Finance

Tips on saving money this Christmas

After a particularly difficult year financially many families will be trying to cut back on the cost of Christmas this year, and with consumer spending levels already having fallen most retailers are well aware that they will need to take action in order to get consumer spending levels up and keep their profits up at the same time. The recent VAT cut of 2.5 percent may go a little way towards making this a more affordable Christmas, but the difference this small cut will make is negligible, and it is really up to the individual to try and take action to keep costs as low as possible. Read more

Tags: Another way, different retailers, case, Business Finance, time, vat cut, financial climate, christmas

Could energy price cuts be on the way?

A consumer campaign group, Consumer Focus, has indicated that there could be energy price cuts on the way as a result of a fall in the cost of wholesale energy. This comes as a result of one of the major energy suppliers in the UK, Scottish and Southern, stating that it could see prices falling by early 2009 as a result of falling wholesale energy prices. With energy prices having rocketed twice this year any fall in prices will be welcomed by businesses and consumers, many of whom are struggling to keep up with bills. Read more

Tags: energy companies, energy suppliers, wholesale energy, Association, Wholesale, energy prices, Business Finance, trend

7 percent fall expected in Christmas spending overall

According to recently released figures an overall fall of around 7 percent is expected in Christmas spending for this year, as consumers continue to try and cut back on their expenditure. The cutbacks will be made in a range of areas, such as gifts, food, clothes, entertainment, and socialising. The survey was carried out by research group Deloitte, and showed the different areas in which people were planning to cut back on their Christmas spending. Read more

Tags: financial situation, consumers, Verdict Research, Deloitte, Opinions, holidays, Business Finance, research

Guernsey customers angry over Icesave compensation

Customers from the UK who had money in Guernsey branches of the Icelandic bank, Landsbanki, have expressed outrage, stating that their money is going towards compensating others whilst they will receive back very little of the money that they had placed into the bank. Read more

Tags: guernsey icesave accounts, Guernsey, off-shore accounts, icesave, scheme

Drop in interest rates causes surprise for consumers

Struggling homeowners trying to cope with high mortgage repayments welcomed a surprise earlier this month after the Bank of England slashed the base rate by 1.5% just a month after applying a surprise 0.5% cut a day ahead of the scheduled Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The slash in interest rates has now taken the base rate down to just 3%. Just a year ago the base rate stood at 5.75%, so it is now nearly half of what it was a year ago. Read more

Tags: Business Finance, policy, order, bank of england, CBI, interest rates, chancellor, borrowers

Ministers consider broadband for all

According to recent reports government ministers are now looking into broadband for all home amidst concerns over the disadvantages suffered by unconnected homes. Many officials have been expressing concern over the educational and other disadvantages that are being suffered by households where there is no broadband connection, and as a result of these concerns ministers are now said to be looking at the prospect of connecting all homes to broadband. Read more

Tags: amidst, facility, broadband, Business Finance, BT Group, prime minister gordon brown

Compensation process begins for Icesave customers

Earlier this month there was widespread panic amongst consumers, charities, local authorities, and businesses when the Icelandic bank Landsbanki collapsed, leaving many people, firms, and agencies that had put money into high interest Icesave accounts wondering whether they had lost all of their money. The panic became worse after it was revealed that the Icelandic authorities were failing to honour obligations with regards to compensating UK consumers. Read more

Tags: BACS, interest, icesave, result, linked accounts

Icesave customers get 100% guarantee

Amidst all of the financial chaos that has been taking place over recent days, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, has issued some good news to consumers that had money saved with the collapsed Icelandic Internet bank, Icesave. Darling has announced that savers with money with Icesave will receive a 100% guarantee on all of their savings, so those with more than the £50,000 threshold will not lose any of their money as a result of the collapse. Read more

Tags: exceptional circumstances, chancellor of the exchequer, top, iceland banks, treasury official

Fuel poverty could affect a quarter of households

According to a recent report fuel poverty could be affecting a quarter of households in the UK by the end of next year, with huge hikes in energy prices over the course of this year resulting in an increase in the number of households that are paying 10% or more of their total household income towards energy bills. Read more

Tags: business enterprise, business, lot, fuel poverty, nettle, europe, fuel

Increasing number of rental properties coming onto the market

Over recent years consumers that were looking to rent a home in the private sector often found that the properties were being snapped up before they even had a chance to arrange a viewing, leaving them to start from scratch and select another property from the limited choice available. However, with the problems that have hit the housing and mortgage sectors recent figures show that a rising number of rental properties in the private sector are coming onto the market. Read more

Tags: rent, present, Business Finance, rental properties, duty, Mortgages, RICS

Campaigners do not think price comparison sites will necessarily mean the best credit card deal

According to some officials from a consumer campaign group sing a price comparison site to try and get the best deal on a credit card will not necessarily prove effective. More and more price  comparison sites have sprung up over the past couple of years, and many people use these to try and get the best deals on credit cards as well as on other products and services such as loans, mortgages, insurance, utilities, and more. However, officials have said that these sites will not necessarily mean that you are getting the best deal. Read more

Tags: Credit Cards, comparison, research, business, consumer campaign, Business Finance

House prices have plunged over last year

Over recent months homeowners and industry officials have seen one report after another that has shown how house prices are falling steadily on a month on month basis, and there has already been a significant fall in the value of homes compared to last year before the housing bubble burst. It has now been said that property prices have started falling at the fastest pace since the 1990s, and thousands of pounds have been wiped off the value of the average house price over the past year. Read more

Tags: house prices, measures, October, housing bubble burst, Business Finance

Does inflation level mean that rate cuts are ruled out?

Inflation levels over recent months have been soaring, and in July inflation hit the highest levels since records began in 1997. coming in at 4.4%. In fact, inflation has been soaring for quite some months, and has been way over the government target of 2%. The latest rise in inflation has resulted in the rate of inflation being more than double that set by the government. Read more

Tags: energy, Business Finance, oil, concern, inflation

Central bank governor and deputy governor did not agree on interest rates

Following the recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting earlier this month the Bank of England announced that it would be keeping interest rates on hold at 5.25%, stating that the risk of rising inflation had to be considered in addition to the slowing economy. Interest rates have already fallen twice since December, and industry experts predict that they will fall at least one more time before summer and then again in the latter half of the year.

According to the minutes from the March Monetary Policy Committee meeting there was a 2-7 split over whether interest rates should be cut in March, with the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Sir John Geive, agreeing with MPC member David Blanchflower that rates should be cut by a further 0.25%, which would have taken the base rate from 5.25% to 5%. However, the other seven members of the committee, including the Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, wanted interest rates to be kept on hold.

The Bank of England has not taken the stance of the US Federal Reserve, which has been slashing its interest rates lately in order to try and keep recession at bay. Over the past six months the US Federal Reserve has cut the interest rates by a massive 3%, taking them from 5.25% to 2.25%. However, following the majority vote the Bank of England decided to keep rates at 5.25%. Analysts and economists are now speculating over whether there will be a further base rate cut following April’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting, although many think that the next base rate cut may come in May.

Recent Additions:

• Mortgage lender offering some impressive rates on savings
• Bank savings interest rates start to come down
• Pay and bills could further affect consumer finances
• Increasing number of first time buyers look to brokers for assistance
• Gazundering becoming more commonplace

Tags: Business Finance, Central bank governor, Deputy Governor, interest rate, bank of england

Inflation hikes are making life “tougher”

With inflation rising higher this week than analysts predicted it would, an expert has said that the situation is making life “tougher” for many people.

According to Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, some consumers have seen their food, energy and other essential bills increase by 20 per cent over the past year.

Ms Robinson commented that many people are feeling the pinch as living costs continue to rise yet salary increases lag behind.

“We are working harder than ever before but we are not getting any richer.”

Ms Robinson warned: “With inflation misery set to continue this summer, this is a difficult time for consumers.”

Earlier this week inflation went over three per cent and Ms Robinson advised consumers to carefully review their household budgets and try to make savings wherever possible.

She pointed out that people could save an average of £1,500 on essentials by doing so.

Tags: percentage, consumer, essential bills increase, time, Business Finance, salary increases

Credit squeeze hitting savers

Consumers are increasingly feeling that they are unable to save as much as they might like to due to the current economic downturn, according to Nationwide Building Society.

Matthew Carter, Nationwide director for savings, said that although three in four people believe it is important to put money away in a savings account, some do not feel “they can afford to save as much as they need to” because their finances are being squeezed by the credit crunch.

New research from the building society has revealed that 57 per cent of people would like to be able to save more than they are currently doing.

Mr Carter pointed out that it is a good time to save at the moment because there are a number of accounts with attractive rates.

“The products available mean it’s a good time for savers so it’s incredibly unfortunate that would-be savers haven’t the spare money to put aside.”

Meanwhile uSwitch.com has said that the credit crunch and rising inflation are making life “tougher” for many people.

Tags: moment, Business Finance, Business and Economy, consumers, economics, matthew carter, time

Consumers must curb borrowing, says Osborne

The shadow chancellor George Osborne has said that people need to make an effort to curb their borrowing and take out fewer loans.

Speaking on Channel 4’s ‘News at Noon’, Mr Osborne said that in order to get inflation under control, people must cut their spending.

“People have to be cautious about entering into long-term financial commitments. For example, looking at how much they’re borrowing and watching the pennies basically,” he commented.

This comes just as MGM Advantage has revealed that 55 per cent of Brits are putting their money into savings accounts, although one in five of those in debt still prefer to keep their money at home than in the bank.

According to a recent survey by the company, at the other end of the scale, one in four of those who have more than £1 million in assets also shun savings accounts in favour of stashing their cash at home.

Tags: Business Finance, borrowing, channel, cash, shun, Brits, finance, inflation

Insure your garden, says expert

With the summer months coming up and people spending more time outside, many homeowners may not realise that their sheds and gardens might be at risk of being burgled as they forget to lock them properly, an expert has advised.

According to Simon Lamble, product director at Confused.com, people tend to be less stringent with the security of their garden equipment during the summer and this leads to a ’significant’ increase in the number of shed burglaries.

Research from the company found that the average cost garden equipment is around £800, although not all home insurance policies will pay out for losses of more than £1,000.

“It is imperative that, when taking out home insurance policies, homeowners consider the contents of their sheds, garages and any other outbuildings, and insure them accordingly,” Mr Lamble commented.

Meanwhile, Tescocompare.com has found that Brits fooling around at home cause 25 per cent of damages to their houses.

Tags: Business Finance, Tescocompare, security, insurance policies, Financial economics, shed, home insurance policies

Transact: If you’re facing repossession, get advice

Homeowners who are facing the prospect of repossession need to seek advice, according to Transact, the independent network committed to promoting financial inclusion. Read more

Tags: sand, Business Finance, Elliot advised people, Capitalise, hearing, year

The ‘bulk’ of mortgage lending will be re-mortgaging

With fewer people applying for mortgages for new homes, an expert has predicted that the “bulk” of this year’s mortgage lending will be in the re-mortgaging area. Read more

Tags: attractive mortgages, year's mortgage lending, mortgage, Financial Services Authority, Business Finance, The

Is a variable rate mortgage the right choice for me?

Consumers in the UK can enjoy a choice of mortgage options these days, and no matter what your needs and circumstances there is a good chance that there is a suitable mortgage product on the market for you. When it comes to mortgages consumers can enjoy options such as the standard variable rate, the fixed rate, base tracker mortgages, capped rate mortgages, and more. The most popular of these are the variable rate mortgage and the fixed rate mortgage, both of which offer benefits as well as disadvantages. Read more

Tags: UK mortgage terminology, Floating interest rate, Business Finance, United Kingdom, variable rate mortgages

As pensions dwindle, ‘people to rely on savings’

With the amount being paid out by pension funds expected to drop the number of people having to dip in to their savings each month is likely to rise, the director of Churchouse Financial Planning has warned.

Keith Churchouse said that people who have taken the opportunity to build up savings are likely to “be reliant” on them once they retire.

“I do think that people are very unlikely to be reliant on pensions in retirement,” Mr Churchouse commented.

According to the Fidelity Retirement Index, a worker who retires now on the average UK income can expect less than £30 a day from their pension payout.

The organisation says that someone currently earning the national average salary of £22,900 who is about to retire will have an annual income of £9,618 from their pension, which is about £185 a week.

Mr Churchouse said he does not think “there’s any doubt” people will rely more on their savings in old age.

Tags: salary, Labor, Churchouse Financial Planning, employment, someone

Brits spend over £200 replacing damaged contents

A quarter of Brits are spending in excess of £200 annually replacing damaged items in their homes, it has emerged.

Research conducted by Direct Line highlights that more than 30 per cent of accident-prone individuals have spilt red wine on their carpets, while more than a third admit to breaking ornaments, vases and photo frames.

Furthermore, 40 per cent of respondents said they had damaged furniture as the result of an accident.

Andrew Lowe, head of home insurance at Direct Line, says: “We all accidentally damage contents in our homes at some point. While these items are often small objects such as crockery or ornaments, the cost and inconvenience of damaging something with sentimental and material value is extremely frustrating.”

The insurer asserts that accidental damage cover can give homeowners “peace of mind” as they will know they are covered for spills and breakages.

In related news, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association recently urged people to seek advice from a broker before taking out a policy.

The association advised that this will help avoid over insuring and wasting money.

Tags: accident, Insurance, Business Finance, damaged items, excess, policy, policy.The association

‘Fixed-rates offer peace of mind’

The Newcastle Building Society has said that savers looking for “peace of mind” when they open a savings account should opt for fixed-rates, as they can be sure of the returns on these types of products.

Steve Urwin, senior marketing executive at the building society, said accounts with building societies not only give savers good returns on their money, they also act as a “safe” because they have additional protection.

Mr Urwin commented: “Savings are protected by the investor protection scheme, in addition to housing their money in a trusted institution.”

The number of people opening accounts with building societies reached record levels last September, according to reports.

It was also found that savings accounts and cash Isas were the most popular products, with the demand for Isas up by almost a fifth.

Mr Urwin said that people should take advantage of Isas because most other types of savings are subject to tax.

Tags: Banking, society, money, Business Finance, Financial services, building, Marketing, investor protection

Debt cycle ‘carries on’ with payday loans

Regularly using payday loans to get through until the next paycheque can lead people into a spiral of debt, National Debtline has warned.

Spokesperson Beccy Boden Wilks said that payday loans can have high interest rates and consumers can often find cheaper borrowing options.

Ms Boden Wilks warned that people using payday loans on a regular basis may have a more serious underlying debt problem and advised them to have a close look at their budgets as well as to possibly seek advice on how to deal with their debts.

“If you’ve run out of money [ahead of your next paycheque], so you feel that you need to use these sorts of services, then there’s obviously a problem,” she commented.

Ms Boden Wilks added that people using these services should review their spending and budgets.

The take-up of short-term payday loans has risen by 55.4 per cent since last September, according to Moneysupermarket.com.

Tags: national debtline, debt, Boden Wilks, spending, Business Finance, problem, finance, Financial services

Holidaymakers incur charges by using plastic abroad

Holidaymakers are being warned that using debit and credit cards abroad could prove costly due to the charges implemented by providers.

Moneyfacts claims that the majority of travellers opt to use their plastic overseas as travellers cheques are seen as old fashioned, but added that these individuals need to be aware of hidden charges.

The site claims that some credit card providers charge up to three per cent for both purchases and cash transactions when using the card in a foreign country.

“This charge is applied each time the card is used and can soon mount up to a significant amount,” states a spokesperson for the site.

Methods for minimising the effects of these costs include taking out cash in larger lump sums to avoid a number of payments.

“Customers could find their balance much lower than expected when they get home if they are not careful”, concluded the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, in related news, the Association of Independent Tour Operators recently stated that do-it-yourself holidays are often a false economy as booking in this manner can mean that people are not covered by insurance.

Tags: balance, larger lump sums, travellers cheques, Business Finance, Insurance, lump sums, card, independent tour operators

BIBA: Uninsured drivers are ‘a massive problem’

With around two million people driving without insurance in the UK, the issue is a “massive problem”, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has said.

The organisation said it is working with the government to reduce the number of uninsured drivers because they are costing other motorists over £400 million each year.

Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive of BIBA, says that next year there will be a new drive towards making sure motorists have car insurance.

“It will compare the Vehicle Registration Database with the Motor Insurance Database and anyone that’s got a car and hasn’t got car insurance will get a penalty notice and if they don’t get insurance then they will have their car seized,” Mr Trudgill said.

According to recent figures from moneysupermarket.com, 15 per cent of UK drivers admitted to driving without insurance, while 23 per cent of people in their twenties have driven without cover.

Tags: Mr Trudgill, Business Finance, hasn, uk drivers, motor, notice, corporate affairs, number

More people see benefits of private medical insurance

People are increasingly recognising the benefits of private medical insurance (PMI) and more employers are starting to take out policies for their staff, says the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

According to ABI’s figures, more than six million people are now covered by either personal or corporate PMI with a further 1.14 million covered through Healthcare Trust arrangements.

Research conducted by BUPA shows that in the first quarter of 2008 sales of individual PMI policies were up by 20 per cent on the same period last year.

Private health care allows patients a quicker and higher standard of service than the NHS, according to ABI spokesperson Jonathan French.

Employers are also increasingly seeing the advantages of providing PMI for their workers, such as helping them to back to work more quickly after an illness.

“There’s also the argument [that ] in an increasingly competitive labour market, employers are using add-ons, like offering private medical insurance to ensure that they can recruit and retain the best quality staff,” added Mr French.

Tags: private health care, Business Finance, offering, Labour economics, Financial economics, competitive labour market, market

People urged to fight unfair credit records

Credit card users are being urged by the Consumer Action Group to fight what they see as unfair bank charges, particularly if they have caused their credit ratings to suffer.

The organisation says people get “black marks” on their credit records if they go overdrawn and can even have their reputation destroyed if the bank defaults them in an extreme situation.

In this case, people are affected for a minimum of six years for defaults as little as £5. They may have difficulty in getting credit or have to pay a higher rate and may not be able to buy a home.

The Office of Fair Trading recently won the right to investigate whether banks are making excessive overdraft charges.

Marc Gander, founder of the Consumer Action Group, says if banks have unfairly charged their customers, it is not just the refunds they should be liable for but also the associated problems, such as a bad credit record.

Tags: higher rate, Consumer Action Group, Marc Gander, consumer, extreme situation, Business Finance, unfair credit records, trading

Instant access savings charges can be high, says expert

Consumers who open an instant access account should be aware that although they can withdraw their money without notice, some banks will charge them for doing so, according to a financial analyst.

Michelle Slade of Moneyfacts, a personal finance website, has said that as many as one in four banks charge their customers hidden penalties for taking money out of an instant access and no-notice savings account.

Last month, Nationwide published research on savings accounts which showed that 84 per cent of consumers believe there should be no penalty for withdrawals and 54 per cent say it is very important or essential that there is a no-notice period.

Ms Slade says: “The term ‘instant access’ is not misleading, but some would say that they should not really be charging a penalty just for you taking your money out, especially as some of the charges really are quite high.”

According to the analyst, some accounts either reduce the interest or do not pay it for the month in which a withdrawal is made.

Tags: banks, access, business, Business Finance, penalty, expert, moneyfacts, withdrawals

Natwest cuts mortgage rates

RBS has announced it will cut mortgage rates and introduce a new savings product in a bid to help borrowers and encourage first-time buyers to save for a deposit. Read more

Tags: natwest mortgages, Mortgages, paul geddes, new savings product, consumer banking, mortgage rates, fixed rate mortgage

BRC: Credit crunch leading to “cash comeback”

More people are using cash to pay for their purchases amid growing consumer concerns about how much money they are spending, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has claimed.

The global credit crunch is causing consumers to be more cautious with their money, says BRC spokesperson Richard Dodd.

New figures from the organisation show that cash is now used for 60 per cent of all transactions, an increase of 54 per cent from 2007.

Cash now represents 34 per cent of all money spent in the retail sector, compared with 32 per cent a year ago.

Recent research from uSwitch shows that on average, credit card holders owe £1,812.

With ten per cent of all cardholders paying the minimum on their cards, the company estimates 3.5 million people will spend close to the next 30 years clearing their credit cards.

“People’s enthusiasm for using cards is slipping. That’s because people are not only reluctant to borrow, they are also reluctant to use cards,” concluded Mr Dodd.

Tags: company, Business Finance, spokesperson, organisation, spokesperson richard dodd.new, crunch, Recent research

Shoppers choosing cash rather than credit

Consumers are cutting back on their credit card spending and increasingly using cash to pay for their purchases, it has been claimed.

A survey of 17,000 shops conducted by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed that cash was used for 60 per cent of transactions last year, up from 54 per cent in 2006.

The BRC said this shows people are concerned about spending money they do not have and want to keep tight control of their finances.

Another issue raised by the BRC is the cost that credit card companies charge retailers, which is four times the amount of a cash transaction.

Consumers are forced to pay for the extra charges as retailers pass them on through increased prices.

“There should be a lower fixed fee per transaction which actually reflects the cost of processing, so new technology brings balanced benefits to retailers, consumers and banks,” said BRC director general Stephen Robertson.

Savings expert at Scottish Widows, Anne Young, recently said that young people get into trouble due to the “proliferation of credit” that is now available to them, adding that more should be done to educate people on managing their credit.

Tags: Payment systems, online shopping, Business Finance, scottish widows, amount

Applications for credit reports rise as customers are refused loans

Twice as many customers are applying for credit reports as six months ago in an effort to understand why they are being refused credit on loans, credit cards and mortgages, according to Experian, the UK’s biggest credit scoring company.

Consumers are becoming increasingly “proactive” in their approach to their finances as they try to maintain a good credit history.

James Taylor from Experian told Fairinvestment.co.uk that “up to 20 per cent of people now check their credit report before applying for credit”, with the majority making use of the internet to do so.

UK consumers’ personal debt now stands at £1.4 trillion, yet many people are ignoring the credit crisis and continuing to acquire more debt as they spend more than they can afford, according to research by CreditExpert.co.uk.

With lenders restricting their criteria, consumers are advised to regularly check their credit reports to help them stay on top of their finances.

Tags: Credit score, experian, company, credit crisis, Business Finance, uk, Loans, internet

HSBC matches rivals’ fixed-rate mortgages

Mortgage customers concerned about rising interest rates can breathe a sigh of relief as HSBC is extending its mortgage Rate Matcher offer to all UK homeowners.

Non-HSBC customers will be able to apply for the deal, available for the next five weeks, promising to match rates as low as 4.54 per cent for another two years.

Under the deal, which was originally only available to existing HSBC customers, the maximum loan will be £250,000.

“Rate Matcher helps customers plan budgets over the medium term and eases the shock of seeking new borrowing when old rates expire,” commented head of mortgages at HSBC Martijn Van Der Heijden.

Customers will have to pay a fee which will depend on the interest rate and size of the loan requested, however the bank expects that 72 per cent of customers will not pay more than £999.

Many consumers may want to take advantage of this deal since the average fixed-rate mortgage deal is currently around 6.2 per cent, with very few deals below five per cent.

Tags: mortgage rate, rising interest rates, HSBC Martijn Van, Business Finance, maximum, rivals

Demand for five-year mortgages expected to grow

The number of homeowners looking for longer-term fixed mortgage deals is set to rocket, a leading bank has reported.

Research by Abbey Mortgage Index has shown that buyers seeking a fixed deal lasting five years have doubled in a month to 24 per cent.

The popularity of two-year fixed-term deals rose by just three per cent to 10 per cent.

This is in contrast to tracker mortgages which only five per cent of borrowers said they would opt for.

Nici Audhlam-Gardiner, director of Abbey Mortgages, said: “Recent reports about the shrinking mortgage market seem to have had a profound effect on borrowers.”

Abbey advised mortgage providers to prepare for a rush on longer term deals as borrowers seek stability amid the credit crunch.

The decrease in the availability of mortgage deals is guiding homeowners towards more lengthy mortgages suggests Ms Audhlam-Gardiner.

“Homeowners faced with a dwindling number of mortgage deals seem keener than ever to lock themselves into a deal for longer than two years such as a five-year fix,” she added.

Statistics by Moneysupermarket.com revealed that mortgage deals have decreased by 60 per cent compared to before the economic slowdown

Tags: Mortgage loan, rush, mortgage index, Nici, Nici Audhlam Gardiner, Business Finance

Over £1bn to be transferred between credit cards every month

Up to £1.1 billion is expected to be transferred between credit cards every month, according to new research.

Findings from a study by Sainsbury’s Bank showed that an estimated 716,000 consumers are responsible for the transfer of the sum.

The average transfer balance is £1,500 but one in ten consumers intend to transfer plans worth £4,000.

Donald MacLeod, head of cards with Sainsbury’s, said research indicates that 40 per cent of card holders think it will take longer than a month to clear their current balance.

“Although there are a number of credit cards offering introductory 0% on balance transfers, there is a considerable difference in their duration so people need to choose carefully. Also, when choosing a card for a balance transfer, it is also worth considering what else it offers,” he added.

Meanwhile, research from Fool.co.uk showed that UK spenders are more likely to use their cards than cash when paying for everyday purchases.

Tags: Donald MacLeod, Fool.co.uk, cent, balance, Sainsbury, fool, sainsburys

One in seven drivers admit to getting behind the wheel with no insurance

Up to 15 per cent of motorists admit to driving a car without being covered by insurance, according to new research.

The findings from moneysupermarket.com show that nine per cent broke the law while behind the wheel of someone else’s vehicle and a further six per cent said they had driven their own cars without having any cover in place.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said that anyone who drives without insurance, no matter the length of the distance and whether it is their car or not, is breaking the law.

“Not only that, but it costs the insurance industry over £500 million each year in claims, which drives up the cost of insurance for responsible motorists,” he continued.

Men are more than twice as likely as women to drive while uninsured, with 21 per cent admitting doing so according to the results of the study.

Meanwhile, a study conducted by confused.com revealed that men are officially worse drivers than women.

Tags: Confused.com, finance, Insurance, insurance industry, cover, Business Finance, distance, research

New bank code introduced

Consumers are expected to be entitled to fairer treatment under the terms and conditions of a new banking code, it has been announced.

The new terms stipulate that spenders should contact their bank if they experience financial difficulty in a bid to make sure they work out a practical solution rather than just burying their head in the sand.

Both building societies and banks are also compelled to do more to assist customers who are struggling with debts by contacting those who may have been perceived to have fallen into financial trouble.

Angela Knight, chief executive of the British Bankers’ Association, said that the new code “gives strong commitments that banks will lend responsibly and will help customers who may be heading towards financial difficulties”

She added that the driver for change was the consultation process which shows what customers want and expect from their bank.

Meanwhile, young consumers are set to benefit from the Young People and Money scheme, set up to provide specialised debt advice.

Tags: consumers, Business Finance, Banking Services, young consumers, debts, specialised debt advice, practical solution, bank

Long-term fixed rate mortgages risky because of life uncertainty

Buyers tempted to take out a long-term fixed rate mortgage after chancellor Alistair Darling indicated in this week’s budget that action might be taken in future to promote them should be on their guard.

A number of experts have warned that the certainty that Mr Darling pointed to as the benefit of opting for a mortgage with the interest rate fixed for ten years or more is precisely what is missing.

“Uncertainty is the key deterrent,” Andrew Haggar of Moneyfacts told the Daily Telegraph, pointing to the unpredictability of life circumstances over such a long period of time.

“While borrowers can insure against unemployment and illness, people are still wary of tying themselves to a fixed rate for an extended period of time.”

Nici Audhlam-Gardiner, director of mortgages at Abbey, agreed.

“So much can happen in a quarter of a century, both to a customer’s circumstances and to the economy. While these very long term deals may be suitable to provide long-term stability for a small number of customers – they will not be suitable for all,” she said.

Tags: deterrent, long period, interest rate, budget, unemployment, Telegraph, extended period, Business Finance

Over 6.6 million Brits are looking to take advantage of stock market volatility

Up to 15 million Brits have looked into investing in the stock market according to new research.

A further 6.6 million are considering taking advantage of current lower market valuations and investing in the stock market.

However, findings from Abbey revealed that 26 per cent said they would never invest in the stock market.

Up to 15 per cent said they are less likely to buy shares given recent market movements.

Reza Attar-Zadeh, director of savings and investments at Abbey, said: “Guaranteed investments offer the potential for higher returns based on stock market growth, but also provide capital protection against a further market downturn.”

According to Abbey, research shows that 49 per cent of people would consider investing in such products in addition to a normal savings account.

Consumers living in Wales and the south-west are most likely to invest in the stock market, with 33 per cent currently having stock market investments.

Meanwhile, research from the firm revealed that up to one in ten Brits do not have any contents insurance.

Tags: living in wales, capital, Business Finance, Research and Analysis, potential, stock market, investing, stock market volatility

Slowing of consumer spending is “worrying”

Despite the economy growing by 0.6 per cent in the last quarter of 2007, consumer spending slowed dramatically, according to new figures.

Findings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that increases in household expenditure fell to 0.2 per cent, a drop from the 0.9 per cent previously seen in the last quarter and the weakest growth since 2006.

Speaking to theherald.co.uk, Howard Archer, chief UK economist at consultancy Global Insight, said that the breakdown of the ONS’ data was worrying.

“The faltering in consumer spending, business investment and exports in the fourth quarter increases concerns that UK growth will slow markedly in 2008 and increases pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates again sooner rather than later,” he said.

According to the figures, business investment and exports also faltered at the end of last year, declining by 0.5 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, Tim Besley, member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, told the Daily Mail that a reduction in the rate of consumer spending was worrying.

Tags: UK growth, Daily Mail, england, chief UK economist, drop, Business Finance, Global Insight, Office for National Statistics

Tracker mortgages ‘best bet’

Tracker mortgages are the “best bet” for those consumers who want to benefit from falling interest rates this year, according to finance experts.

Moneysupermarket.com said that while rates have been going down, increasing numbers of consumers have been reverting to tracker mortgages.

Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at moneysupermarket.com, said: “At the moment, the percentage of customers that are on trackers… although it’s only 24 per cent, that’s the highest it’s been since back in 2005.”

She added that trend for rates is going to be down, so these products are useful for those spenders where affordability is no issue.

However, moneysupermarket.com warned that tracker mortgages should only be used by those consumers who can afford to risk higher repayments in the future.

The most recent figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, for December 2007, show that 29,600 tracker loans were taken out by homebuyers – making up 24 per cent of all home loans.

A survey by Fairinvestment.co.uk last week revealed that 23 per cent of Britons polled would favour a tracker mortgage.

Tags: tracker, Mortgages, home loans, show, interest, december

First-timer buyers ’should listen to Bank’s warning’

First-time buyers who have taken out interest-only mortgages should reduce their loans following the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) prediction of economic depression, one financial expert has claimed.

According to Fool.co.uk, those who have taken out interest-free mortgages to get a first foot on the property ladder could face bleak financial times ahead, as lenders tighten their financial belts.

David Kuo, head of personal finance with Fool.co.uk, said that the BoE’s Inflation report should set “alarms ringing” in the ears of first-time buyers.

“In future, lenders may tighten the credit-scoring criteria and choose to reduce the maximum loan to value (LTV),” he warned

Mr Kuo added that: “This will put borrowers who have taken out 90 per cent mortgages at risk, especially if the value of their homes decline sharply when they remortgage.”

Fool recommended that making overpayments as, according to its calculations, every £1,000 of those will reduce the loan by the same amount and reduced the interest bill by £1,500 over 25 years.

Meanwhile, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, house prices have reached their lowest point since the crash during the 1990s.

Tags: crash, GBP, lenders, Business Finance, Chartered

Rate cut could ‘ease financial pressure’

The cut in interest rates by the Bank of England (BoE) will help “ease financial pressure”, claims one financial expert.

According to the Fair Investment Company, the rate cut of 0.25 percentage points to 5.25 per cent by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) should help homeowners with mortgages of over £150,000 receive as much as £40 per month back.

James Caldwell, director of the company, said: “The MPC’s decision will come as a relief to many. A lot of people are facing higher living costs and business expenses, so the rate cut is an important step towards easing financial strain.”

However he added that home owners will only benefit if mortgage rates are cut in line with the BoE’s decision.

Mr Caldwell also said that savers will be worse off as a result of yesterday’s decision.

Those savers who hoped the base rate would remain the same for another month “will be disappointed”, he concluded.

However, according to the Newcastle Building Society, despite the effects of the interest rate cut, savers could benefit from the current climate of competition between banks and building societies to offer the best deal.

Tags: pressure, best deal, Mortgages, business, england, interest rates, Business Finance

Credit card restrictions could increase debt for consumers

Credit card restrictions could lead to consumers taking on more expensive debt, one financial expert has claimed.

Moneywise magazine has said that consumers could be more likely to use their overdraft facility if credit cards are restricted, which could incur bank charges which would be a more expensive short term debt.

Rachel Lacey, editor of the magazine, said that credit conditions are going to be tight for the rest of the year.

“I think whether you’re a new borrower seeking a fresh sort of credit, like a new loan or a credit card, it’s going to be hard,” she continued.

The magazine also said that stricter lending criteria could come as “a bit of a shock” to a consumer culture accustomed to the idea of ’spend now, pay later’.

According to findings from uSwitch, the price comparison and switching website, almost one in four UK adults are finding debts unmanageable.

Up to 9.5 million have maxed out on one form of credit in the last six months and 38 per cent have had a credit card application rejected.

Tags: bank, facility, lacey, Moneywise, Business Finance, sort, price, form

Credit card balance transfers better value than personal loans

Consumers looking to take out a personal loan may want to consider a credit card balance transfer instead, claim financial experts.

According to research from everyinvestor.co.uk, a borrower requiring £10,000 could save over £1,000 over a four year term if they choose to transfer their credit card balance rather than applying for a loan.

Chris Gilchrist, editor with the consumer advisors, said that lenders have raised interest rates on personal loan rates sharply in the past six months.

“Credit card companies continue to offer lengthy zero per cent balance transfers and even though you may pay balance transfer fees, this still works out well below the interest you would pay with a personal loan,” he added.

Industry commentators have predicted the end of the zero per cent interest balance transfer for the past 18 months according to the experts.

However, credit card companies are expected to continue to offer the rate in a bid to attract more customers.

Meanwhile, new research from Fool.co.uk has revealed that up to one in eight credit card holders in the UK have had their credit limits cut.

Tags: interest rate, research, industry commentators, interest balance, Business Finance, debt, loan, year

Parents should open bank accounts for children ‘as early as possible’

Providing children with bank accounts as early in life as possible will enable them to have a better understanding of money say independent financial advisors.

MDM Associates said that opening a bank account as early as possible parents can then talk children through statements and show them where interest has been added.

Older children could receive an account with a debit card said the company.

Lisanne Mealing, managing director of MDM Associates, said: “That then starts to give them the idea of some financial responsibility – you’re trusting them because they’ll have access to that account themselves.”

Providing monthly pocket money to children can also be a good way to teach children about budgeting, she added.

According to an article on the Times Online, a recent survey by NatWest suggests that 51 per cent of young people want more advice from parents about how to manage money.

Many respondents said they were frustrated by well-trodden cliches such as ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’.

Tags: child, Business Finance, recent survey, pocket, cent

Households to be worse off in 2008

Households will be financially worse off in 2008, according to Ernst & Young ITEM Club’s latest forecast for the UK economy.

The research, using the Treasury’s own economic model, describes public finances as a “mess” and anticipates the situation to get worse with slower growth and slower tax revenues predicted.

Speaking to the Independent, Peter Spencer, chief economic adviser to the ITEM Club, said: “Now that the economy is slowing sharply, the public finances will deteriorate equally rapidly.”

He added: “We have revised our forecast of this year’s current deficit up to £14 billion, compared with the Treasury’s pre-Budget report forecast of £8 billion.”

Experts have predicted that the Bank of England will cut interest rates at least three times to 4.75 per cent, or to a figure even lower, from the current 5.5 per cent over the course of the year or by 2009 if the economy continues to slow.

Meanwhile, research from property expert Right move shows that house prices are rising at their slowest rate for two years.

Tags: Business Finance, year, Economic, United Kingdom, budget report, bank of england, rate

Credit unions offer more controlled borrowing

Credit unions can offer a more controlled borrowing system compared with other financial institution claims the Church of England.

The institution said that many financial organisations are in place to make money and although some are more sympathetic than others, the main goal is to make a profit.

However, credit unions supposedly differ as they allow consumers to borrow in line with their ability to save which creates sensible boundaries within the borrowing system.

“A credit union is not just there to make a profit; it’s there to serve people, to help people borrow money…its more controlled,” said a spokesperson.

If a credit union does make any profit out of lending, then “quite often” it will re-distribute this amongst it’s membership.

Recently the Church has set up the life and debt matters section on their website which it speaks on the rising problem of debt and financial strain.

It was launched at the beginning of the year and offers a “post Christmas debt check” and “three action steps” to better finances.

Tags: boundaries, Business Finance, life and debt, Website, beginning

House price ‘correction’ of 35 per cent expected

The affordability of house prices are expected to correct themselves by 35 per cent, according to an economic expert.

Firstrung have said that inflation on property, “as a phenonmenon”, is over for the present generation of consumers.

However, some first time buyers who might have a good income are going to struggle in the wake of the credit crunch, despite having clean credit histories.

Paul Holmes, chief executive officer of Firstrung, said: “Last year first-time buyers watched prices go up on first-time buyer properties by an average of £19,000.”

“We’re now reverting back to the lending standards that the banks and building societies operated within in the 1980s. It’s become that bad.”

He estimated that prices will fall by 12 per cent over the course of the next year.

Just before Christmas it was announced by the Halifax that the average house in 96 per cent of towns are now not affordable for first time buyers, and that the number of first-time buyers was at the lowest level since 1980.

Tags: Paul Holmes, cent, price, house prices, Business Finance, buyers watched prices, first time buyers, officer

Premium Bonds big win odds drop

The chances of winning big on Premium Bonds dropped yesterday.

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) reduced the rate of return on its prize fund from 4 per cent to 3.8 per cent from the start of 2008, in response to December’s cut in the Bank of England’s base rate.

While the chances of winning– 21,000 to one per £1 bond – and the number of £1 million jackpot prizes remain the same, the spread between large, medium and small prizes will be skewed further towards small prizes of £50 and £100.

Million of Brits have money invested in Premium Bonds, totalling £36 billion.

Unlike other investments, there is no risk involved in the scheme – but unlike other savings products, there is no guarantee that investors will make anything at all.

The Times noted in 2007 that the chances of winning nothing at all with a £1000 Premium Bonds stake was 60 per cent, while the chances of getting a better-than-inflation return on £1,500 was around 20 per cent.

Tags: National, bank, savings products, Business Finance, england

‘Unattractive’ interest rates increase premium bond popularity

Unattractive interest rates are responsible for the increase in the popularity of premium bonds, claims an asset management company.

Mark Dampier, head of research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the tax free returns from premium bonds have also helped make them more attractive.

“It is based partly on the fact that interest rates had gone down so far that people stared to think: ‘Why not have a bet in the premium bonds’?” he said.

He added that premium bonds are popular with self-employed people started to take advantage of the tax free benefits.

“If you are lucky enough have quite a lot of money, premium bonds are often a port of call. You don’t have to put them on an income tax return form,” added Mr Dampier

From August 1st 2005 there were two £1 million jackpots drawn each month and, at the current odds, over a million other cash prizes. The winning bond numbers are selected at random each month.

Tags: head of research, advantage, month, cash, Lansdown, odds, lot, Business Finance

2008 set to be ‘a tough year financially’

2008 is “going to be a bit of a shock” and a “tough year financially” for consumers, according to a financial expert.

The end of fixed rate mortgages and the rising price of gas and electric bills both contribute to the more pessimistic financial outlook for next year, says AWD Chase de Vere.

Susan Hannums, savings manager for AWD Chase de Vere, said: “I think it is going to be harder to save, but the thing we need to drum in more than anything else is that we’ve got to start paying off and get away from using credit all the time.”

She added that borrowing “is really what got us here in the first place”.

Consumers need to think of other methods of saving to “turn things around”, concluded Ms Hannums.

Research from Credit Action earlier in the year revealed that total personal debt in the UK has reached £1.25 trillion.

Tags: personal debt, Business Finance, concluded ms hannums, Economic history, Vere, year, anything

Impact of ‘housing slump’ on equity release customers

It is “too early” to predict the impact of the housing market’s current state on equity release customers claims a housing expert.

If house values for equity release customers do decrease, the distance between the amount the estate will eventually owe and the value of the house could be less

“But that’s only if it’s a really long term housing price reduction,” said Anthony Rafferty, head of marketing post retirement for Norwich Union.

He added: “We are a nation talking ourselves into a housing slump by using the word slump.”

The impact of the so-called housing slump has not been felt with equity releases as much as it has with mortgages, according to Mr Rafferty.

The BBC reported that a growing number of consumers are choosing to tap the value of their home through equity release schemes to enhance the funds.

Halifax’s November House Price Index found a 1.1 per cent monthly fall in house prices.

This is the third successive month it has reported falls, with the average UK house price now standing at £194,895.

Tags: Pension, equity release customers, housing expert, current state, number, Business Finance, word slump."The impact, equity release

Longer term mortgages popular with first-time buyers

Longer term fixed rate mortgages have proven “increasingly” popular in recent years, especially with first-time buyers, claims an industry expert.

Head of residential lending at Mortgage Express, Tim Anson, has said that newcomers to the market appreciate the “peace of mind” offered by fixed deals.

Purchasing a property through a fixed deal allows first-time buyers the chance to get used to managing a budget and meeting the costs of running their first home.

“For most people a mortgage is the biggest financial commitment they will ever undertake, and increasing numbers of borrowers have sought the certainty provided by fixed rate deals in recent years,” he said.

However, as interest rates are predicted to fall in 2008, fixed rate deals could look uncompetitive in the future Mr Anson warned.

Last week the Council of Mortgage Lenders reported that 42 per cent of borrowers would choose a fixed rate mortgage.

However over half of these would opt for a short term deal under five years long.

Tags: fixed rate deals, newcomers, Business Finance, Head of residential lending, chance, loan, head, Tim Anson

Credit cards can provide ‘additional protection’ against online fraud

Paying for goods worth over £100 with a credit card can provide consumers with additional protection against potential ID fraud say industry experts.

A spokesperson for Consumer Direct said: “They [consumers] can get additional protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which makes credit card companies jointly and equally liable. It gives you extra consumer protection.”

He also advised consumers to look out for a padlock symbol on a webpage or the ‘https’ in the website title to show that the site is secure.

Customers should also maintain their security software to afford themselves more online protection and check their bank and credit card statements regularly.

In a recent review of 77 websites of financial firms the Financial Services Authority (FSA) found that a quarter of them “failed to present information in a fair, clear and not misleading way”.

The Office of Fair Trading said earlier this year that the UK internet shopping market is estimated to be worth over £21.4 billion.

Tags: Business Finance, credit, credit card statements, trading, Consumer Direct, security, Fair Trading

Brits choose ’stability’ when renewing mortgages

Millions of Brits would opt to fix their mortgage rate for five or more years if they needed to renew it, it has emerged.

Recent research by Abbey Mortgages has revealed that one in three (5.1 million) homeowners would choose a fixed rate of interest, with the need to know monthly outgoings the main reason for doing so.

The number of people wanting to opt for a five year fixed rate was greater even that the once favourite two-year fixes.

Head of mortgages at Abbey, Nici Audhlam-Gardiner, commented: “You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but at least if you’ve committed to a long term fixed deal, you know where you are going to stand with your repayments.

“Borrowers need to be sure however that the deal they take out is right for them and that they understand the different types of mortgages available before signing up to anything.”

Meanwhile, the number of homeowners choosing tracker mortgages was up to 12 per cent, although around eight per cent of respondents said they prefer to fix as they do not fully understand how tracker mortgages work.

Tags: deal, Business Finance, Brits, borrowers, need, emerged.Recent research

‘Concerned’ Brits struggle with debts

Many Brits are struggling to keep their debts under control as over one in ten reveal they are “very concerned” about their financial situation.

This figure (11 per cent) has gone up from seven per cent in just three months, with around 2.7 million people saying they have sunk further into debt by over ten per cent, according to MoneyExpert.

Sean Gardner, chief executive of the company, commented: “With the festive season just around the corner, we can only predict that the number of people worried about their ability to deal with their debts is likely to increase.

“Christmas is a massively expensive time of year so you can’t help but worry that many more are likely to become increasingly concerned about how they’ll cope.”

However, he said, there are signs that people are beginning to get their borrowing levels down, with 27 per cent of Brits successfully cutting their debts over the past three months.

Mr Gardner added that consumers must, above all, work out a repayment plan and avoid burying their heads in the sand when confronted with debt.

Tags: Business Finance, repayment plan, Sean Gardner, sand, Brits, situation, borrowing, work

Financial prudence advised over Christmas

Consumers are warned that they must be in control of their finances over Christmas this year.

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CSSS) has said that following the global credit crunch, Brits must be more prudent than ever in keeping their under control.

James Ketchell, a spokesperson for the CSSS, explained that Christmas could end up being the “tipping point which pushes people over the edge”.

“People will have to be a lot more careful in their spending than they have been in the past perhaps, and really look at the cost of all the expenses at Christmas…They will have to live within their means,” he continued.

Meanwhile, small loans, which many consumers use to finance the festive season, are set to have increased rates this year, with the average reaching into double figures.

Furthermore, the number of rejections for loan applications has gone up substantially, with moneyexpert.com finding that 1.91 million people had their applications rejected in the six months to the end of September.

Tags: Gift, past, Business Finance, CSSS, Loans, crunch, control, United States bankruptcy law

Brits ‘bombarded’ with credit card cheques

British residents were sent 313 million undesired credit card cheques last year, it has emerged.

According to recent research, 96 per cent of all credit card cheques issued are unsolicited, with only one in 50 of the 22.5 million consumers sent the cheques actually asking for them.

Furthermore, it was found that many people are unaware of the charges they incur upon using the card, with 2.1 million credit card holders thinking no charges apply to the cheques.

In fact, using a credit card cheque costs consumers a total of £298 million more than a normal credit card purchase in interest and other related charges.

Mike Naylor, personal finance expert at uSwitch.com, the company carrying out the research, said: “During 2006, at the height of the media frenzy surrounding credit card cheques, some providers may have scaled down their promotional activities, but nowadays it would seem that it’s ‘business as usual’.

“The reality is that the credit card industry has far more to lose than consumers if people had to ‘opt-in’ to receive credit card cheques.”

Tags: business, 5 million, Recent research, card, media frenzy, Business Finance, industry

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