Moneyextra Personal Finance News

State aid widened for struggling homeowners

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:00:39 GMT

Homeowners will gain extra protection against repossession, the government has said. Ministers unveiled plans yesterday to extend the number of people covered by state help with their mortgage payments. In

Rate cut 'likely'

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:00:39 GMT

The Bank of England seems likely to cut its official rate when its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets later this week. Markets appear to be pricing in a 50 basis point cut, bringing the rate to 1.5

BSA upbeat on new lending data

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:00:39 GMT

The Building Societies Association (BSA) has said that it has "hope" for the UK property market's prospects, after publishing its new lending figures. According to the data, net lending stood

High dividends, rate cuts 'attracting investors to shares'

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:55:47 GMT

Shares are likely to become increasingly attractive to investors due to attractive dividend yields, DigitalLook.com analysis has shown. Recent cuts to interest rates from the Bank of England were also

First Direct tops 'cheapest' mortgage chart

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:48:30 GMT

First Direct offered the cheapest standard variable rate mortgages in 2008, according to figures from Defaqto. The research firm compared the interest payable on a £100,000 interest only mortgages

Brits 'shun' mortgage protection

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:48:30 GMT

Two-thirds (67 per cent) of Britons would not be willing to pay for mortgage payment protection insurance (PPI), according to Zurich. Analysts are forecasting tough financial conditions throughout 2009

Savings used to pay off mortgages in Q3 2008

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:48:30 GMT

It has become more attractive for homeowners to use their savings to pay off loans in the current climate, an expert has claimed. Figures from the Bank of England indicate that around £5.7 billion

'Tough' conditions predicted for 2009

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:01:49 GMT

2009 is set to be one of the "toughest" years to date, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The organisation's January 2009 Economic Forecast estimates that GDP will fall by 2.9

First-time buyers 'will benefit from house price falls'

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:19:29 GMT

The affordability of housing was boosted across 2008, according to Halifax. New data from the mortgage lender shows that the house price to earnings ratio - a measure of property affordability - stood

House price "recovery" predicted for 2009

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:15:38 GMT

Property prices could begin to rise next year, as savvy buyers "cotton on" to bargain prices. According to new analysis from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), this growth could

Brits plan New Year credit card shifts

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:15:38 GMT

Over three million British people will shift around £7 billion between credit cards during the opening three months of 2009, a leading financial company has claimed. According to Abbey Credit Cards,

Forecasts for 2009 recession made

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:30:13 GMT

Varying predictions have been made on the prospects for UK economic growth for 2009. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (cebr) has suggested in a new report that the economy would contract

Hometrack makes rare predictions for 2009 property market

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:01:08 GMT

With prospective buyers still deterred from making a commitment in an uncertain market, house prices across the UK are set to fall by a further ten per cent in 2009, it has been claimed. According to the

Hard-up Brits staying at home this Christmas

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:56:43 GMT

Britain's major airports are gearing up for a relatively quiet Christmas as the ongoing effects of the credit crunch force many consumers to abandon their dreams of a festive break. According to BAA, some

Mortgage approvals fall in November

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:18:20 GMT

Despite a 1.5 per cent cut in interest rates, mortgage approvals slumped during November to a record low for the month, new figures have revealed. According to the British Bankers Association (BBA), 17,773

EC approves banking support measures

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:18:19 GMT

The European Commission (EC) has announced that it has approved new support measures put forward for the UK banking industry. Fees to be paid on guaranteed liabilities are the primary focus of the new

Early Xmas present for 'most Icesave customers'

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:38:47 GMT

Most British savers who had money tied up in the failed Icelandic bank Icesave have received their money back before Christmas, it has been claimed. Over 200,000 British people had money in the bank when

London's housing market shows 'signs of recovery'

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Some parts of the capital are enjoying a resurgent housing market in December, it has been revealed. James Brooks, sales manager at Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward's Streatham branch told the FT Adviser

MPPI has 'no place' in PPI investigation

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) should be excluded from the PPI market investigation by the Competition Commission (CC), it has been claimed. The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI)

Annual fees 'may emerge' for credit cards

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Consumers could feel an additional financial bite from credit card companies during the downturn, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The consultancy's Precious Plastic report suggests that lenders

Equity release 'popular among Scots'

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Equity release has more than doubled in popularity in Scotland over the last decade, according to Norwich Union. There has been a 141 per cent growth in the number of Scots releasing equity in their homes

"Everyday" credit card bill exceeds ÃÂ£400 per month

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Consumers that use their credit cards to purchase everyday items are racking up an average monthly bill of £483, new research has shown. "Everyday" credit card holders use them to pay for

Retail boost is no more than a "blip"

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Aggressive retail tactics seem to have worked during the run up to Christmas but are unlikely to provide a long-term boost, it has been claimed. In a study carried out by Research Plus on behalf of Sainsubury's,

Brits avoid credit cards this Christmas

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Just over one third (35 per cent) of consumers will be using a credit card to finance their spending this Christmas, new research has shown. According to a survey by Halifax, 21 per cent of Brits claim

New mortgage products from Nationwide

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:01:51 GMT

Nationwide has announced the introduction of new mortgage products for existing customers. Borrowers who are moving house and require additional loan to value (LTV) rates will be able to take out the new

Moneyextra Personal Finance News

State aid widened for struggling homeowners

Rate cut 'likely'

BSA upbeat on new lending data

High dividends, rate cuts 'attracting investors to shares'

First Direct tops 'cheapest' mortgage chart

Brits 'shun' mortgage protection

Savings used to pay off mortgages in Q3 2008

'Tough' conditions predicted for 2009

First-time buyers 'will benefit from house price falls'

House price "recovery" predicted for 2009

Brits plan New Year credit card shifts

Forecasts for 2009 recession made

Hometrack makes rare predictions for 2009 property market

Hard-up Brits staying at home this Christmas

Mortgage approvals fall in November

EC approves banking support measures

Early Xmas present for 'most Icesave customers'

London's housing market shows 'signs of recovery'

MPPI has 'no place' in PPI investigation

Annual fees 'may emerge' for credit cards

Equity release 'popular among Scots'

"Everyday" credit card bill exceeds ÃÂ£400 per month

Retail boost is no more than a "blip"

Brits avoid credit cards this Christmas

New mortgage products from Nationwide

"Everyday" credit card bill exceeds ÃÂ£400 per month