Banking

It is now just over a year since the Government's National Savings & Investments (NS&I) bank launched the latest batch of its popular inflation-beating, tax-free accounts, meaning many customers can now withdraw their cash virtually penalty-free.

Banks must be told to stop offering free current accounts if Britain wants to stamp out mis-selling scandals, a senior regulator said today.

Many savers with cash in Santander UK are worried about the safety of their money due to problems in Spain and the wider European economy. However, the bank stresses it is a separate entity to its Spanish parent, which therefore cannot raid UK cash.

The Government was given some welcome good news on the jobs front today when unemployment fell by 45,000 and the number of dole claimants dipped for the second month in a row.

Savers not warned when their rate is due to dive following the end of a fixed term could be due compensation, following a ruling by the independent arbitrator.

Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King has admitted more should have been done to avert the banking crisis and has urged the Government not to delay reforming the financial sector.

Some bank staff are giving consumers the wrong information about cancelling regular card payments, research reveals today.

Last week, we hit a technical recession — that means the economy shrank for two successive quarters. What does it mean for you?

The UK's "failing" pension system needs to be radically overhauled and simplified to make it as attractive to consumers as saving into Isas, a report from the Institute of Directors said today.