Other News

Loan firm slammed
Loan firm North London Securities has been roundly criticised in the media and in court over attempts to exact £384,000 in overdue payment for a £5,750 loan.

Consumers needlessly buying life insurance
Consumers could be squandering hundreds of pounds a year on insurance that they do not need, according to a new survey, overall this could lead to billions being wasted each year.

Falling house prices mean cheaper mortgages
House prices across the UK have fallen by the biggest margin in over three years, meaning mortgage loans could get cheaper.

Ombudsman angry about endowment mortgage mis-selling
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is being "buried" by complaints over the mis-selling of endowment mortgages.

Charges should be clearer to credit card customers
The Treasury Select Committee has turned its ire on Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and MBNA Europe over unfair practices in their credit card divisions and credit card loans.

Yorkshire Building Society launches new tracker rate mortgages
Following last week's 'no change' base rate decision and the subsequent reduction in funding rates, Yorkshire Building Society has taken the opportunity to revise its mortgage product range.

Consumers cautioned about high interest loans
A debt adviser has warned against the dangers of heavy credit arrangements, after it emerged that a couple who took out a £5,750 home improvement loan in an attempt to pay off arrears on their mortgage are being pursued for £384,000 after the debt spiralled out of control.

Banking chiefs to be quizzed about credit card debt
The chief executives of the country's leading banks and lenders are to be questioned on the state of credit card lending.

Bank of Scotland mortgages launches new product
Bank of Scotland's Smartfinance has launched an offset commercial mortgage for the pension fund market, billed as the first of its kind in the UK.

Chelsea Building Society mortgage
The Chelsea Building Society is introducing a new 2-year fixed-rate buy to let mortgage.

Britons fear home mortgage loan repayments
Fears about mortgage loan payments top the list of money worries among Brits, according to new figures.

Debt levels reaching crisis point
The number of people struggling with consumer debt is reaching "crisis" levels, the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has warned.

Homeowners Friendly Society launches new life insurance policy
Homeowners Friendly Society is set to offer Better Start Family Income Life Cover designed to help parents protect their family from financial hardship.

American Express credit cards banned form online casinos
Citibank and American Express have extended their bans on the use of their credit cards for online gambling from the US to the UK.

Chelsea reducing mortgage interest rate
Chelsea Building Society has announced that it is lowering the interest rate on its own five-year mortgage to take effect from Wednesday 20th 2004.

Capital One cautions young credit card users
The chief executive of Capital One has said young people could avoid bad credit, or indeed improve on existing bad credit, by making sure that they pay off their credit card each month - rather than simply handing over the minimum payment.

Six million to receive pension predictions by 2006
More than six million workers are to receive predictions of their state and private pension provisions by 2006, the government has said

Neglect of savings sector may mean more personal loans
A savings expert has warned Westminster's policy-makers that they need to reassess their sense of priorities relating to the savings industry, as otherwise more personal loans could be needed as a result.

New Britannia mortgage launched
Britannia Building Society has launched a new 2-year low start tracker mortgage, offering a rate of 4.75 per cent, the Bank of England's base rate.

UK credit card probe
A government select committee is due to condemn the country's banks for allowing huge debts to be amounted, while failing to provide clear information to customers.