Banking

RBS and NatWest are still including overdrafts when telling customers their 'available balance', despite new rules from the regulator banning this, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal.

Rules coming into force today mean that a bank can no longer include your overdraft when telling you your 'available balance' or 'available funds'.

App-based banks Monzo and Starling are upping their overdraft rates – following similar changes for a range of banks including HSBC, Nationwide and First Direct.

Over 40% of Nationwide's Help to Buy ISA accounts were opened in the final week before the deadline, as a last-minute rush saw over 300,000 applications at the building society alone – but if you missed out, you can still boost your savings with a Lifetime ISA.

First Direct and M&S Bank customers have been told their arranged overdraft interest rates will be more than doubled to 39.9% from next year, MSE can reveal. This follows parent bank HSBC's announcement on Wednesday of a similar move.

All HSBC customers will see their arranged overdraft interest rates shoot up from next March, following a similar move from Nationwide earlier this year, MSE can reveal.

NatWest has given 250 customers a 'fingerprint payment fob' as part of a three-month trial, allowing them to spend up to £100 on each contactless payment.

NatWest has launched an app-only bank account named Bó, offering built-in budgeting features and an eye-catching yellow card – but how does it compare with more-established digital rivals Monzo and Starling?

A major overhaul is coming to the way banks display what available funds you've got, with three having changed how they show customers' available balances this week, and at least seven more to do so by mid-December. 

A temporary funding arrangement for a scheme that reimburses people who are tricked into transferring money directly to a fraudster will be extended until the end of March – meaning more victims get their money back.