Investing

The shocking scale of consumer mistreatment is uncovered today as the lid is lifted on banks and other financial firms that brush off genuine complaints in the hope they will vanish.

Barclays has been fined £2.45 million by the City watchdog for "serious weaknesses" at its investment banking arm, it was announced today.

Investors who buy and sell shares via stockbroker Hoodless Brennan (HB), without receiving investment advice, must act fast to continue trading and maintain their cheap rates.

One million Norwich Union (NU) policyholders could receive up to £1,150 each this autumn as their share of the insurer’s £1.4 billion surplus from its with-profits investment funds.

The majority of consumers now get compensation from a bank or other financial institution when complaining to the free Financial Ombudsman Service.