Telecoms

Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, has released a guide on unlocking phones. You can find it here. 

Banking

Lloyds Bank has launched its 2014 Student Current Account, which features a free NUS extra card for three years, a tiered interest and fee-free overdraft of up to £2,000 and access to a student credit card. The account is open to new and current customers.

Credit cards

Lloyds Bank has introduced three new credit cards, with zero per cent interest for time periods between six and 16 months.

Mortgages

Leeds Building Society has made further changes to its range of two year fixed rate Buy to Let mortgages, introducing a new product with a rate of 2.99 per cent up to 65 per cent loan to value (LTV). The mortgage has a fee of £799.

Skipton has launched a seven-year fixed rate mortgage range, including mortgages from 60 to 90 per cent LTV.

Tesco Bank has refreshed its mortgage range, offering a two-year fixed rate deal at 1.89 per cent up to 60 per cent LTV.

Virgin Money has launched a ‘Stamp Duty Buster’ mortgage to its Help to Buy Equity Loan range, with £3,000 cashback to help with the cost of Stamp Duty, legal fees and valuation costs. The new products are a three year fixed rate at 3.69% with a £995 product fee and for customers who wish to fix their mortgage rate for a longer period Virgin Money is offering a five year fixed rate at 3.99% with a £995 product fee. These products are available on properties with a price between £125,000 and £250,000.

Investments

Skipton Building Society has launched a new range of fixed rate ISAs and bonds which include rate rises on short term saving. Their one-year fixed term ISA and bond now pays 1.50 per cent while their two-year fixed rate bond now offers 1.80 per cent. The easy access Bonus Cash ISA paying 1.50 per cent is still available.

Aldermore has increased the rate on its two-year fixed rate savings account. Savers will now receive 2.35 per cent interest, up from two per cent.

Money Saving

TopCashback will launch a Back to School Hub on Monday, offering parents cashback deals on classroom essentials at retailers like BHS, F&F and others.