HSBC

Former and existing HSBC, First Direct, John Lewis Finance and M&S Bank customers have been receiving payments from HSBC Banking Group – which the lenders come under – out of the blue over the past 10 months, and we still haven't really been told why. We've been pushing HSBC for answers and have put questions to the bank from ourselves and a former whistleblower to find out what's going on.

Debit and credit card users need to ensure their bank or lender has their up-to-date contact details as providers begin to roll out new measures to double-check it's really you making the transaction. If your card firm can't reach you, your payment could be declined - here's what you need to know.

HSBC, First Direct, M&S Bank and John Lewis Finance are making a second set of payments to some customers who have been in arrears in recent years. Having previously paid some customers compensation for substandard service, they're now issuing refunds – in one case paying out over £7,000 – for interest and charges that shouldn't have been due. So if you get a cheque out of the blue, DON'T bin it thinking it's a scam or spam.

M&S Bank customers whose current accounts are being closed this summer can now apply for the top cash switching incentives from its sister banks HSBC and First Direct no matter how long they’ve had their account.

HSBC and First Direct have cut the interest paid on their regular savings accounts from 2.75% to 1% for new customers, just days after MoneySavingExpert.com warned a rate reduction was on the cards. 

HSBC has raised fresh fears that it could be about to slash the interest rate on its regular savings account after accidentally sending emails to customers showing a reduced rate of just 1%, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal.

M&S Bank is soon to close its 2.75% AER regular savings account to new customers – and it's possible its sister banks HSBC and First Direct could follow suit. Yet if you have a current account with one of these banks already, there's still time to open a regular saver and lock in the 2.75% rate for a year.

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.

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.