November 2007 Finance News Archive

• Many households may have to switch to water meters [30.11.07]
  Following approval by the government earlier this month, many consumers in the UK may be forced to switch to a water meter for their water usage, as the government and water companies argue that this is an effective way to reduce water usage in order to cope with droughts in the future.
• UK consumers not very trusting with banks [28.11.07]
  The recent turmoil in the UK's financial markets, fuelled by the credit crunch that originated from the sub-prime mortgage markets in the United States, have hit the nation in a number of ways, one of which seems to be an decrease in the level of confidence and trust that consumers have in banks and financial institutions.
• Brits making costly credit card withdrawals [27.11.07]
  According to recent reports many Brits are spending a small fortune on making credit card withdrawals, which are known for being costly
• Be careful what you carry about with you [26.11.07]
  A leading UK insurance company has highlighted the value of items that the average Brit carries around, adding that many do so without any form of protective insurance risking substantial financial losses should something happen.
• Debt consolidation could prove most effective for some people [21.11.07]
  Debt consolidation has been used for a number of years by those that want to cut down on the amount of interest that they have to pay, reduce the number of repayments that they have to make each month, and cut back on the amount that they are paying out of their accounts every month.
• Fixed rate mortgages become more competitive [20.11.07]
  After a year of rising interest rates, and with house prices continuing to soar, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel for property purchasers in the UK, according to a recent report
• Nationwide offers special home insurance cover deal [17.11.07]
  The Nationwide, which is one of the UK's best known building societies, recently announced the launch of a new home insurance package that would be made available to consumers
• Broadband campaign at Downing Street site proving successful [17.11.07]
  A broadband campaign that has recently been launched by a number of industry officials is proving successful, with a petition that was posted on the 10 Downing Street website gathering over a thousand signatures in a short space of time.
• Banks defend themselves in test case [16.11.07]
  A number of banks in the UK have filed a defence with regards to their overdraft charges in preparation for a test case that is to be heard next year
• Student loans increasing debt culture [14.11.07]
  According to some experts many of today's students in the UK are developing an increasingly accepting attitude towards debt, which is often the result of having to take on student loans.
• Ofwat fines water company [06.11.07]
  A UK water company has been fined heavily by the UK water regulator Ofwat for breaching regulations over monopoly utilities. United Utilities has been fine £8.5 million by the water regulator after the regulator ruled against the company in April this year
• Increased cash back level period from Capital One [04.11.07]
  Capital One Bank is offering credit card customers to enjoy an increased level of cash back for a specified period on its cash back credit card, enabling those that are eligible and suited to a cash back credit card to earn more for spending on the card.
• Former fixed rate mortgage holders could see repayments rocket [04.11.07]
  Interest rates over the past year have risen by a full one percent, following four 0.25 percent interest rate rises in August and November of last year and in January and May of this year.
• First Direct cuts interest payment on current accounts [03.11.07]
  The Internet banking arm of HSBC, First Direct, has announced that it will no longer be paying any interest at all on its current accounts, and has merged its two current accounts into one account, which is now known as the 1st Account.
• Another insurance crackdown by the government [02.11.07]
  Most consumers in the UK have heard about the controversy over a type of insurance known as payment protection insurance, which has been heavily scrutinized and criticized by the government
• UK consumers against monthly banking fees [01.11.07]
  The results of a recent survey carried out in the UK has revealed that customers in the UK would prefer to pay charges and penalties on going overdrawn with their current account rather than having a set monthly fee applied to their accounts
• Home loans allow homeowners to increase property values [01.11.07]
  At a time when property prices in the UK are already soaring homeowners are enjoying the opportunity to cash in on their equity and increase the value of their homes even further through the use of homeowner loans.