House prices in slim rise in September September 30, 2010 House prices rose slightly in September, according to the Nationwide building society. Prices rose by 0.1 per cent last month, following a 0.8 per cent decline in August. Nationwide said that “buyers appear to have a slightly better hand than sellers at the moment”. The average house price now stands at just over £166,757, up [...]
Metro Bank hires former Abbey director to board November 2, 2010 METRO Bank, the first new start-up bank to hit the UK high street in 100 years, yesterday said it had hired Graeme Hardie, the former executive director for retail banking at Abbey National, as a non-executive director. Hardie is an old hand in the retail and business banking world. Prior to joining Abbey, where he [...]
Confidence fell in September October 12, 2010 FEARS among consumers of imminent government measures to slash public spending have intensified, prompting confidence to plummet last month and wiping out the gain seen in August, the Nationwide September survey will say today. The headline confidence index slumped nine points to 53, its weakest in more than a year and well below its long-term [...]
French strike call causes panic October 14, 2010 French unions yesterday called a nationwide strike for 19 October, hoping to galvanise the country into a drawn-out confrontation with the government over a proposed rise in the retirement age. With some French people already fearing a national protest similar to one which paralysed the country in 1995, motorists have begun panic-buying of fuel after [...]
Property prices fall 3pc December 13, 2010 ASKING prices for homes in England and Wales have fallen three per cent over the past month to stand just 0.4 per cent higher than a year ago, due to economic uncertainty and low mortgage approvals, according to property website Rightmove. December’s fall follows a 3.2 per cent decline in November, with further drops possible [...]
Property prices fall 3pc December 13, 2010 ASKING prices for homes in England and Wales have fallen three per cent over the past month to stand just 0.4 per cent higher than a year ago, due to economic uncertainty and low mortgage approvals, according to property website Rightmove. December’s fall follows a 3.2 per cent decline in November, with further drops possible [...]
Pressure on US lenders increases October 10, 2010 More than two-thirds of US state attorneys general plan this week to launch a joint probe into charges some banks used fraudulent paperwork to kick struggling borrowers out of their homes, sources said yesterday. Bank of America, the nation’s largest mortgage servicer, on Friday said it would put a temporary halt to foreclosures nationwide as [...]
Three ways to save your pennies overseas December 16, 2010 IF THE estimates of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) are to be believed, nearly 4m of us will be heading abroad over Christmas. But whether you’re escaping to sunnier climes or hitting the slopes, here are three tips to help you avoid parting with your cash. 1 BEST CREDIT CARD TO TAKE ABROAD [...]
How to splurge intelligently this Christmas December 9, 2010 1 WATCH OUT FOR THE VAT RISE VAT is going up to 20 per cent on 4 January, so this year don’t wait for the sales to get your big purchases in. According to Santander, 28 per cent of Brits are planning on a pre tax hike spending spree, with people in the South East [...]
How to splurge intelligently this Christmas December 9, 2010 1 WATCH OUT FOR THE VAT RISE VAT is going up to 20 per cent on 4 January, so this year don’t wait for the sales to get your big purchases in. According to Santander, 28 per cent of Brits are planning on a pre tax hike spending spree, with people in the South East [...]