Finance with a conscience gaining esteem

So-called green financial products are more popular now than ever, according to the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).

It states that there is heightened awareness of environmental ethics and it is now a part of the public consciousness.

As a result an increasing number of companies offer ethically sound products, so it is then up to the consumer to research the available options to separate genuinely green offers from the simple marketing ploys.

A spokesperson for the ETA said: “At the moment it is up to the consumer to check this out but in the future it will be up to the companies to prove that they are truly green as consumers become more knowledgeable.”

He added that, over the past decade being ethically-minded and green has become “fashionable”, so much so that it has climbed up the “political agenda”.

Major corporations are starting to appreciate the value of addressing these types of issues with banking giant Citigroup putting $50 billion (£24.4 billion) towards green projects earlier this year.

Tags: ETA SA, political agenda, political agenda".Major corporations, decade, Ethics, available options, spain, green

Car insurance increases

Car insurance premiums are higher than ever before, according to the AA’s British Insurance Premium Index.

However, home and contents insurance premiums have fallen in the past quarter.

AA says that the average car insurance premium is now £822, a rise of 2.5 per cent in the last three months.

The firm points out that this is more than double the amount quoted in the first ever index back in July 1994.

Despite this, home and contents insurance premiums have fallen slightly in the same period of time.

Buildings cover is down almost two per cent, with the average quote being £207, while contents insurance has fallen by a little over one per cent to £147.

“Home insurance represents particularly good value having changed little over the past decade and while the trend of car insurance is firmly upward, there are still deals to be had,” said Kevin Sinclair, managing director of AA Insurance.

“Things have never been better for customers in terms of choice but make sure you’re comparing like for like and not just price for price.”

Tags: Social Issues, amount, decade, car insurance premiums, three months, insurance premiums, rise, Financial services