September 2009 Archive

Pre-pay credit card rapped over fees

Prepay cards give access to Visa or Mastercard shopping, but at a cost

An advert failing to reveal the full fees of a prepay credit card has been banned.

Debt advice & bank accounts

It may be the most frequently used financial product many people have, but seeking debt advice relating to their current account may never cross the minds of many Britons.

How holiday overspending happens

With many people considering a holiday to be essential and not an unnecessary luxury, it makes sense to budget accordingly.

Debt consolidation loans - helping borrowers stay in control

A growing number of people are entering insolvency in both England and Wales, according to the most recent Insolvency Service statistics about bankruptcy, Debt Relief Orders and IVAs (Individual Voluntary Arrangements).

Mandelson extends car scrappage scheme by £100m

Mandelson says 100,000 more cars can be scrapped

Peter Mandelson has promised to extend the car scrappage scheme to cover a further 100,000 cars.

Credit card: More fee-free transfers, fewer 0% deals

More credit card companies are offering fee-free balance transfer deals, but 0% deals are dropping away.

Barclaycard pushes online payment

Barclaycard is flagging up its online account management system amid concerns the threatened postal strike may jeopardise payments.

MPs to investigate credit searches

Loving a loan is hard when rates can be pushed up just by making an application

MPs on the Treasury select committee are to investigate credit searches when people apply for loans and credit cards.

Getting the best deal for gold

Gold: Flog it! But how to get the best deal

Gold has been in the news lately for smashing through the $1,000 an ounce mark, climbing 20 per cent from this time last year.

Personal loan rates rise

There are fewer personal loans on the market and they are becoming more expensive.

Britain swings back to borrowing

Brits are now turning back to borrowing and easing back on saving.

What bad credit scores mean for personal loans

The gloomy news that has characterised the financial crisis is not getting any better for people with anything less than stellar credit.

Mandelson: No extension to car scrappage scheme

Mandelson warns when scrappage cash runs out no more money will come

Peter Mandelson yesterday revealed the government will not be extending the UK car scrappage scheme.

Barclaycard eases credit card hurdle

Barclaycard has started a pre-application check service which allows potential customers to find out whether they will be accepted for a credit card.

Supermarket banking

Most consumers are reasonably comfortable with the idea of banking services from providers other than their bank, and trusted brands such as Marks & Spencer and Tesco have been successful in persuading their customers to pick up financial products along with their normal shopping.