The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has received the approval of the High Court to assess the fairness of unauthorised overdraft charges.
The judgment will come as a blow to the seven banks (Abbey National , Barclays Bank , Clydesdale Bank, HBOS, HSBC, Lloyds TSB Bank , and RBS) and one building society (Nationwide) who […]

Concerns about the economy and the uncertainty in the housing market are causing stress in children as young as 11 years of age, according to Abbey Banking.
In its study of 11 to 15 year olds, the research from Abbey Banking found that 11 to 15 year olds are more likely to be worried about falling […]

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is urging firms to change their attitude to data security and do more to help prevent their customers falling victim to identity fraud and other types of financial crime.
The warning follows an FSA review of systems and controls for data security at 39 firms including banks, building societies, insurance companies […]

Just one third of Brits lock away valuable documents including passports and birth certificates despite the rising problem of identity theft, according to identity theft prevention firm CPP.
Research from CPP found that many people in the UK have a false sense of security, with 92% believing their home is safe from burglary, despite 15% having […]

Kate O’Raghallaigh looks at the diminishing availability of plastic power
If the figures detailing consumers’ difficulty in getting approved for a credit card are true, then you probably shouldn’t apply for one unless you have a thick skin. According to personal finance website MoneyExpert, 3.24 million people have been rejected by credit card companies over […]

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) shareholders should feel optimistic about the company’s future after yesterday’s £12bn rights issue, according to the Share Centre.
Nick Raynor, investment adviser at the Share Centre, a share dealing website, said investors taking a long-term view should consider taking up the offer.
“Investors who have stuck with RBS through the recent market […]

Annual growth in credit card borrowing increased in March, while growth in loans and overdrafts fell slightly, according to figures from the British Bankers’ Association (BBA).
The figures revealed growth in borrowing on credit cards by UK consumers increased to 6.5% during the month of March, while repayments outstripped new spending showing the growth largely reflects […]

Nearly one in three IFAs expects clients to be saving less into their pensions this year as the stock market volatility and the credit crunch hit home, research from MetLife MetLife shows.
The nationwide poll of advisers found 29% expect a drop in pension investment by existing clients in 2008 as savers are deterred by a […]