Moneyextra Personal Finance News

Satnav users admit to following instructions against their better judgement

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:52 GMT

Over a quarter of Satnav users continue to follow instructions which take drivers down unsuitable country lanes, according to a survey by rural insurer NFU Mutual. Concerned about continuing high lev

A&L offers Â£100 to current account switchers

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:52 GMT

Despite being targeted for a takeover by Santander, Alliance & Leicester is continuing with its extremely competitive approach to the current account market by giving £100 to customers who switch

Holidaymakers warned to avoid holiday chaos

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:49 GMT

According to news reports last week a staggering 1,000 bags still go missing at Heathrow's Terminal 5 everyday. Unfortunate passengers travelling from this terminal are around three times more likely

Landlords risk losing valuable income by not checking out tenants

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:49 GMT

The National Landlords Association (NLA), the UK's leading trade association for landlords, is warning landlords of the real risk of rental arrears if they fail to carry out appropriate checks on pros

Woolwich is cutting rates on its fixed rate mortgages

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:49 GMT

Woolwich is cutting rates on its fixed rate mortgages by as much as 0.32 percentage points as lower SWAP rates continue to benefit the fixed rate market. Its ten year fix will fall below six per cen

Tories issue HIP warning

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:49 GMT

The Conservative Party is warning investors of the risks of holding shares in providers Home Information Packs (HIPs), the governments flagship policy for speeding up the house sale process, and recom

Pensioners failing to budget for life in retirement despite economic slowdown

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

UK pensioners are failing to budget for life in retirement despite the economic slowdown, with many spending considerably more in year one than in subsequent years, only to regret their splurge as the

Skipton launches new fixed savings rates

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Skipton Building Society is launching a new issue of its range of Pick N' Fix bonds. Its new fixed rate savings products, which launched yesterday, include a 1 year, 2 year and 3 year bond, each with

More th>n helps motorists drive down the cost of motoring

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

MORE TH>N launches a new initiative, designed to help motorists who are feeling the squeeze of rising petrol prices and increased living costs, by saving them up to 20 per cent on the cost of their

Estate agents claim first time buyers keep faith with housing market

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Latest figures reported by members of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) indicate that the first time buyer market is slowly increasing as they look to take advantage of the buyers marke

FTSE dividends the way forward for investors

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Amid a fresh bout of turbulence on the London Stock Exchange, investors may be reassured to know that growth in dividend payments is far more reliable than rises in share prices.Dividend payments from

Fidelity European Fund switches funds to healthcare

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

As the economic outlook for Europe deteriorates, Tim McCarron, manager of the £4.4billion* Fidelity European Fund, has taken a more defensive stance, increasing his exposure to the healthcare sector w

Brits try 'pants' measures to hide holiday money

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Stuffing money in your pants - a trick that has long been popular with revellers during nights out on the town - is also being used by travellers according to a new survey by the recently launched Tes

Financial compensation service handles 22,000 claims

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) improved its service to consumers while cutting its costs during 2007/08, according to its annual report out today. At the same time, the Scheme passe

Britannia launches new inflation linked bond

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Britannia has launched a new range of Guaranteed Capital Bonds, including a brand new inflation-linked product. Available from 26 July, the new five year Inflation Linked Guaranteed Capital Bond (ILG

Halifax unveils market leading student account

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:48 GMT

Halifax today announces details of its new market leading Student Current Account offering. Applications for the new account can be made from Monday 4th August 2008. The account is available to both

AA Members Think Road Tax Is Being Used Aa Stealth Tax

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

More than 80% of AA members agree that road tax is being used as a stealth tax, according to the AA Populus panel of 15,306 members. The AA president has today written to the Chancellor requesting th

Holidaymakers warned to take precautions before driving abroad

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

With the school year now at an end, many families will be taking to the roads for their annual holiday, with France and Spain possible destinations. Rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging these drivers t

House prices fall one per cent in June

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

Average house prices in England and Wales fell one per cent in June, taking the average price to £180,781, according to the latest figures from Land Registry. Annual house price growth sh

Chinese currency sales increase as Brits prepare to travel to Olympics

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

With only ten days to go until the start of the Olympic Games, foreign currency expert M&S Money has seen a 25% increase in sales of Chinese currency as British sports fans prepare to cheer on Team GB in Beijing.

Germany tops property risk reward outlook according to latest SWIP research

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

SWIP has today launched an analyis of the European property market on a risk-adjusted basis and finds that Germany remains at the forefront, with the best sector outlook over the next five years being

Lloyds TSB and Cheltenham and Gloucester reduce mortgage rates

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

Lloyds TSB and Cheltenham & Gloucester will reduce a number of mortgage rates on Tuesday 29 July by up to 0.38%. Both brands will also introduce a new product range for loans between £50,000 and £250,000.

Coventry cuts offset rates

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

Coventry will reduce the rates on its offset range by up to 0.30%, this Thursday (31 July).

Mortgage lenders respond to Crosby report

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

Responding to today's release by the Treasury of Sir James Crosby's interim review of the mortgage finance markets, the Council of Mortgage Lenders welcomes the analysis and the recognition that a shortage of mortgage funding will persist for years without intervention.

Advisers warn clients to come out of insurance bonds

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:24:47 GMT

Almost half of all advisers with clients who have Insurance Bonds are considering reviewing their policies with a view to switching them where appropriate into Mutual Funds, according to a recent surv