Yorkshire Bank

A basic bank account with no fees for failed payments or dipping into unauthorised overdrafts has been unveiled following an agreement between Britain's major lenders and the Government.

First Direct has secured top spot for bank customer service once again with more than 90% of its account holders rating its service as "great" - it has topped every bank service poll we've ever done. Meanwhile, Barclays picks up the wooden spoon for the first time.

Santander is now one of the best in MoneySavingExpert.com's index of banks by customer service – but its high ranking is only fuelled by its 123 account.

Bank customers who replenish their accounts on the same day a direct debit or other payment is due should be spared some charges, after an agreement was reached between the regulator and major banks.

Hundreds of thousands of Santander customers will be hit by hikes to their standard variable mortgage rate (SVR) from today.

More than a million home owners will see the cost of their mortgage payments increase from today.

Another 54,000 mortgage holders will see their mortgage rate rise next month.

Santander will pay interest upfront on its new savings account in what is the latest move by banks to tempt savers, by giving them instant cash.

Banks have lifted their unilateral hold on complaints about the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) following their crushing defeat in the key judicial review.

Lobby group Consumer Focus has written to Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks calling on them to stop demanding cash from mortgage holders as a result of their gaffes.