Credit card rates will have to come down

In a recent report a leading consumer watchdog groups has said that credit card interest rates in the UK are going to have to come down. Read more

Tags: year, increase credit card rate, choice, company, credit card rate

‘Incredible choice’ in ethical investments

The ethical investment market now offers savers an “incredible amount of choice”, according to F&C Asset Management.

According to the investment house, British investors can choose from more than 90 different funds, including a number of specialist environmental investments and climate change-focused ones.

Jason Hollands, head of group communications at F&C Asset Management, said that these types of funds have grown in popularity in recent years and now include ethical bond products as well as equity funds.

Despite the amount of choice available in the market, Mr Hollands said: “One of the dilemmas facing investors is how to understand the different options available out there and find the investment that is appropriate for them and their own requirements.”

The Co-operative Bank recently reported that ethical investments were worth £32.3 billion per year in 2006, an increase of nine per cent from the previous year.

Household spending on ethical products rose by 81 per cent from 2002 to 2006.

Tags: choice, Investment management, equity funds, increase, british investors, climate

FSA forces change on online PPI sales

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has announced that customers are to receive protection over how they are sold payment protection insurance (PPI) over the internet.

Some online insurance providers were adjudged to have been railroading customers into taking out PPI along with their loan purchase, using techniques such as a pre-ticked box committing them to the cover at point of purchase.

While PPI might prove a safety net against consumer debt, the FSA’s concern was with customers’ being offered an optional service, which costs extra money, as the ‘default’ choice.

Vernon Everitt, a director at the FSA, said: “Naturally, many customers are focussed on getting the loan itself, but it is just as important that they also think about whether or not they want to protect their loan repayments by taking out PPI cover.

“This change means that it will be up to the customer to actively choose to buy PPI rather than it being sold automatically.”

PPI provides insurance for customers taking out credit cards, loans and mortgages, which covers monthly payments should the customer be unable to work at one point of the repayment schedule.

Tags: internet, finance, repayment schedule, choice, payment, director, Loans, hsbc

What kind of coverage can I expect with home insurance?

Home insurance was created, and is provided in order to insure a person’s possessions. As you can imagine this can potentially be a vast list of items ranging from do-it-yourself appliances to the kitchen sink. Read more

Tags: range, home insurance coverage, redress, check, Types of insurance

Save On Your Car Insurance Premiums

There are various ways to save money on your car insurance:

The first, which may be apparent to many people is to shop around. Read more

Tags: provider, car insurance premiums, Automobile, finance, car insurance, choice