March 2012 Archive

Santander's UK boss receives £4m despite 40% fall in profits

Santander's UK boss has been paid a £2.3m bonus despite overseeing a 40% fall in profits

The chief executive of Santander's UK business, Ana Botin will receive total remuneration of £4m in 2011 despite a 40 per cent fall in profits.

It's not just about the budget next week: Inflation preview

Inflation, retail sales and public sector borrowing figures are released next week

Next week will be dominated by the budget speech but there are other important economic indicators out including inflation, retail sales and public sector deficit figures.

Yorkshire BS unveils two year bond paying 3.4%

New savings bond unveiled at the Yorkshire

A new fixed rate bond has been released by the Yorkshire Building Society, offering savers a rate of 3.4 per cent gross/ AER.

Cash ISA transfer process speeds up after OFT action

More than 90 per cent of all cash ISA transfers carried out last year were completed within 15 working days, according to latest figures.

Raise cash ISA limit in Budget, urge savers

The UK’s savers are calling on the Government to double the current cash ISA limit from £5,340 to £10,680, the same level as the threshold for investment ISAs.

Nationwide boosts cash ISA rates

Nationwide Building Society has increased the interest rates on its 75 Day ISA and Smart Junior ISA by up to 0.25 per cent.

Derbyshire BS lifts NetSaver account interest to 3.06%

Derbyshire Building Society has raised its NetSaver introductory bonus rate by 0.11 per cent to 2.06 per cent, bringing the overall return to 3.06 per cent.

Halifax boosts ISA season with two new rates

The Halifax has given savings interest rates a lift with two new fixed rate ISAs. The three and four year accounts pay 4.25 and 4.35 per cent respectively.

Principality BS raises core rate on Promise ISA

Principality boosts interest rate for savers

Principality has increased the core interest rate on its Promise ISA to 2.6 per cent, which includes a 0.8 per cent bonus for the first year.

AA launches end of season Access ISA at 3.5%

A new online ISA has been introduced by the AA, offering savers a 3.5 per cent AER return for the first year along with unlimited access to the cash.

Raising tax threshold would benefit rich more than poor, says IFS

Increasing the tax threshold to £10,000 is not a "progressive" policy, says the IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has analysed the impact of raising the personal allowance to £10,000 and concludes that it is not a "progressive" policy and would benefit families with two mid-level incomes most.

Santander cash ISA pays extra 0.1% if Rory McIlroy wins a major

Bonus if McIlroy wins a major before ISA matures

Santander is driving a new range of ISAs, including a Major ISA with a bonus linked to the future performance of US Open Champion ans new world number one Rory McIlroy.

An introduction to ISAs

ISAs are a tax-efficient wrapper for your savings

Myfinances.co.uk's ISA guide explains the differences between a cash ISA and an investment ISA, how each type of ISA works and the limits and rules for each.

Bob Diamond paid £25m in 2011 as bank covers £5.75m tax bill

Bob Diamond's total pay is likely to be in the region of £25 million for 2011

The chief executive of Barclays, Bob Diamond will receive almost £25million in 2011 after full details of pay, bonuses, benefits and the payment of a tax bill emerge.

Bob Diamond gets £6.3m as Barclays bonus pool falls by 25%

Barclays chief Bob Diamond received total pay including bonuses of £6.3m for 2011

Barclays profit fell by three per cent to £5.88bn but its bonus pool dropped by 25 per cent as its chief executives total pay for 2011 fell from £9m in 2010 to £6.3m.

Tesco Bank launch one-year fixed rate saver account paying 3.25%

Tesco has launched a new fixed rate saver account

Tesco Bank has launched a new one-year fixed rate saver account that pays 3.25 per cent on balances above £2,000.

Bank of England keeps rates at 0.50% and QE at £325bn

The Bank of England has kept base rate at 0.50 per cent and QE at £325bn

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has kept base rate at 0.50 per cent for a 37th consecutive month and left quantitative easing at £325 billion this month.

Cheshire BS unveil new rates on cash and fixed rate ISAs

Cheshire BS has unveiled new ISA products

The Cheshire BS has launched its Direct Cash ISA paying 3.35 per cent and an 18-month fixed rate ISA that pays 4.05 per cent today.

Three years of base rate at 0.5%: Are you a winner or a loser?

The Bank of England cut base rate to its record low of 0.5 per cent on March 5th 2009

Base rate has been at 0.50 per cent for three years today. Whilst this has helped mortgage borrowers, savers have struggled to find a return that beats inflation.

Bank of England to keep QE at £325bn and base rate at 0.50%

The Bank of England announces its latest decision on interest rates tomorrow

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee announces its latest policy decision tomorrow and is expected to keep quantitative easing at £325 billion and base rate at 0.50%.

Leeds BS launch postal access savings account paying 2.90%

Leeds new savings product offers unlimited and instant access

The Leeds Building Society has launched a new postal access account that pays 2.90 per cent and allows unlimited withdrawals with no penalties.

Yorkshire BS fixed rate ISA allows savers to drip-feed deposits

The Yorkshire Building Society has launched a new fixed rate ISA for the 2012-13 tax year

The Yorkshire Building Society has launched a fixed rate ISA for 2012-13 that pays 3.25 per cent AER and allows savers to invest throughout the tax year.

The Share Centre: Introduction to ISAs

Andy Parsons, head of investment research at The Share Centre, explains the benefits of Stocks & Shares and Funds ISAs and picks three funds for investors to consider.