Loans

Equity release may be a better way to borrow

Why an equity release plan is a better way to raise finance than personal loans

If you're looking for an effective way of raising finance, you'll find there are a number of ways that you can do this. And while personal loans can be one possible option, when you think about the advantages that are on hand with an equity release plan it may be the latter product you are most inclined to want to take out.

Which? warns over payday loan 'debt trap'

Brits ‘caught in payday loans downward spiral of debt trap'

Consumers relying on payday loans are getting trapped in a downward spiral of debt caused by exorbitant penalty charges, new research reveals.

Consumers 'could gain from shopping around'

Loyalty costing consumers £780 a year, site warns

Consumers would be better off mixing and matching financial products rather than sticking with the same provider for everything, according to MoneySupermarket.

Clinton Cards set to go into administration

Clinton Cards on the verge of administration

Clinton Cards is on the brink of administration after its biggest supplier said it would pull the plug on its credit, potentially putting 8,000 jobs at risk.

End of stamp duty break hits lending activity

Mortgage lending recovery fades as stamp duty break ends

The flurry of lending activity in the housing market at the start of 2012 could be on the decline now that the stamp duty holiday has ended, new figures suggest.

Rise in mortgage deals in the past three years

Number of mortgages 'doubled in the past three years'

Mortgage availability has almost doubled in the three years since the Bank of England base rate was first cut to its record 0.5 per cent low, new figures show.

The government will launch the National Loan Guarantee Scheme in tomorrow's budget

Government unveils £20bn cheap loans for small firms scheme

A new £20 billion government scheme to underwrite cheaper loans to small firms that will be unveiled in tomorrow's budget has been criticised by business leaders.

Banks borrow €530bn through ECB programme

ECB offers banks a further €530bn through loan scheme

More than 800 European banks have applied for funds totalling €530 billion through LTRO, the European Central Bank’s cheap loans programme.

The Bank of England reports a rise in mortgage lending in January

Bank of England reports mortgage lending reaches 25-month high

Lending figures for January published by the Bank of England reveals that mortgage lending rose dramatically in January influenced by the upcoming stamp duty holiday deadline.

Italy's borrowing costs halve - but ECB deposits show distrust among banks

There has been mixed news from the eurozone this week, with conditions easing for Italy but distrust appearing to grow between the banks of different countries.

The best business loans and how to get them

Project Merlin was supposed to force banks to lend to businesses but despite targets apparently being met many employers say they cannot get a loan at any cost.

Lloyds promises £12 billion in loans to SMEs

Small to medium-sized enterprises are to benefit from more funding in loans from Lloyds Banking Group next year.

Tesco Bank cuts interest rate on loans up to £15K

Tesco Bank has slashed its interest rate on loans between £7,500 to £14,999 from 7.4 per cent APR to 6.7 per cent APR representative.

Nationwide combines personal loans with current accounts

Nationwide announces lowest loan rate for new and existing customers

The Nationwide FlexAccount combines a current account with a personal loan at the lowest interest rate in the UK.

HSBC granted extension on PPI claims

PPI claims lodged with HSBC, RBS, Lloyds and Barclays are now all subject to extensions approved by the FSA until the end of the year.

Fewer mortgages in April as bank holidays subdued activity

Further subdued activity for mortgage market in April

Mortgage approvals fell in the year to April, but public holidays may have led to subdued transaction levels.

Barclays agree to "no quibble" settlement of PPI claims

Barclays has announced plans to pay out on all PPI complaints made before April 20th with eight per cent interest, as well as to process new objections.

Money worries have the glass half empty for Brits

Financial doubts lead 20m consumers to cut spending

A greater number of Britons are making cutbacks as AXA UK reveals 'financial pessimism' is taking hold across the country.

Credit Guarantee Scheme altered to allow buyback

HM Treasury allows Credit Guarantee Scheme buybacks

Banks are permitted to buy their way out of the HM Treasury Credit Guarantee Scheme if they recover their finances faster than expected.

Nationwide slashes personal loan rate

Nationwide has cut its personal loan rate by 0.3 per cent, something that may tempt new and old customers.

Repossession rate hits 100 per day in Q1

There are now 220 mortgage possession claims and 160 mortgage possession orders issued each day.

OFT to stop loan fee scams

Credit unions association ABCUL has welcomed steps by the OFT to prevent brokers charging up-front for services they do not deliver.

Credit card spending increased in April, according to the Bank of England

Bank of England's lending report for April shows spike in credit card borrowing

The Bank of England has released its report on lending to individuals for April and it reveals that unsecured borrowing has increased sharply but lending for property fell.