High Street Banks - April 2010
The latest statistics about what's going on in the high street banks.

Pension Changes - August 2008
A change in the pension rules of this country is set to affect the long term finances of a number of people.

Best Loans Update - June 2008
We update our best loans tables in the light of three interest rate cuts since last summer.

Picture Loans - April 2008
After a high profile entry into the secured loans sector in 2004, Picture Loans has stopped trading and may be sold-off.

Family Disposable Income Reduces - April 2008
After increasing for five years up to 2002, disposable income for families has fallen by 6% since then.

Safer Borrowing through new Banking Codes - March 2008
The Banking Codes have been refreshed and should now provide more protection for borrowers.

How to Offset the Rise in Interest Rates - July 2007
The Council of Mortgage Lenders today announced a 26% rise in the amount of offset mortgages that are taken out by UK borrowers.

Card Substitute For Cash - June 2007
Mastercard in conjunction with the Royal Bank of Scotland are trialling a new form of card that removes the need for cash.

Credit Card Fraud - June 2007
June 2007 update - credit fraud hit the headlines again this month when it was leaked that the government has advised police forces to refer complaints about credit card fraud back to the banks.

Interest Rate Up to 5.5% - May 2007
If there is ever anything such as a certainty, then it was surely the increase in base rates by the Bank of England this May. In the run up to the announcement we didn't hear any doubt about the forthcoming increase in rates and most people were fairly certain it would be the usual quarter percentage point.

April 2007 Finance news Round Up
Our summary of consumer finance news in April 2007

Interest rates hold firm - April 2007
Every month we wait with baited breath for the decision by the Bank of England on whether to hold or adjust the base rate of interest.

Call for OFT to look at credit card charges - April 2007
The magazine Which? has called for credit charges to be investigated by the OFT. It claims that many consumers rely on the typical APR advertised by card providers to make comparisons between products, but this rate can be hugely misleading.

Mortgage Fees hit peak - FSA Steps in - January 2007
Mortgage arrangement fees have risen sharply to their highest ever levels, with eleven lenders imposing increases of up to 200 pounds in November 2006. Arrangements fees have to be paid upfront when the loan is taken out and some homebuyers will now be paying 1,000 pounds or more.

Further rate rise shocks the City - January 2007
With most analysts predicting no rise in January 2007, the city was shocked when the Bank of England announced a further rise in the base rate of interest. Most had expected a rise to come in February, but having early sight of the latest inflation figures, the Bank decided to act sooner rather than later.

Homebuyers stretch cash limits - January 2007
A survey shows that increasing house prices last spring forced home buyers taking on new mortgages to stretch their finances further than ever.

Bank holds increases rates to 5% - November 2006
The Bank of England decided this month to add an additional quarter per cent to its base rate of interest, taking the rate to 5%. The bank's monetary policy committee voted seven to two one in favour of the increase subsequent minutes have shown.

Interest Rates Frozen at 4.75% - October 2006
Once again the bank of england base rate has remained static at 4.75 per cent. A decision widely expected by industry commentators.

Bank holds interest rates at 4.75% - September 2006
The Bank of England has voted to hold interest rates at 4.75 per cent, following August's 0.25 per cent rise, which took many experts by surprise.

Mortgages increase on second homes - September 2006
More holidaymakers are choosing holiday homes based in the UK than any other part of the world, research has found.

Mortgage Exit Fees in FSA spotlight - September 2006
Great news this month for anyone who feels they may have been hard done by when they switched mortgages and their lender slapped a huge fee on the for the privilege of leaving.

First Time Buyers Not Protected - August 2006
First-time buyers are overstretching themselves and not considering how they would pay their mortgage if they lost their regular income, a new report claims.

Record Level for Mortgages in July - August 2006
July was a subdued month for unsecured personal lending through loans, overdrafts and credit cards, new figures reveal.

Latest UK Average house price - August 2006
The average house price in England and Wales has reached nearly 200,000 pounds, new figures from the Land Registry reveal.

Interest rate decision was six to one - August 2006
The Monetary Policy Committee voted six to one to raise the base rate of interest, minutes have shown.

Bank announces surprise interest rates rise - August 2006
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to raise the base rate by 0.25 per cent to 4.75 per cent, in a move which has shocked many experts.

Energy Costs Causing Inflation to Rise - May 2006
Inflation figures have started to creep up again, caused partly by increasing energy costs.