First the good news: according to a new survey from Sainsbury’s Bank, there are 39 instant-access, easy access and notice savings accounts which pay annual interest of 5% or more before tax. Now the bad news: the majority of these accounts are aimed at serious savers, because only twelve pay 5% gross AER on balances of £1 or more (including Sainsbury’s own Internet Saver Account). One problem with these high-paying accounts is that many rely on introductory bonuses to boost their interest rates, which then disappear after, say, six to twelve months. In addition, a number impose restrictions or penalties on withdrawals. For instance, several table-topping accounts pay no interest in any month during which a withdrawal is made. So, take out just £20 and you lose one month’s interest on your entire balance, even if you have thousands of pounds sitting there. Ouch!
Category: Banks
This Is Money: Interest Rates Rise To 5%
The Bank of England has raised interest rates to their highest level for five years, putting up mortgages and the cost of Christmas
MoneyExpert: Lenders Urged To Provide Ethical Products
Companies that offer financial services such as loans and mortgages are being urged to provide ethical products by the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.
MoneyExpert: New Mortgage Range Ahead Of Base Rate Review
Alliance & Leicester has announced changes to its range of specialist mortgages to commence on November 9th, the same day that the Bank of England’s interest rate is reviewed.
This Is Money: Interest Rates ‘will Rise Today’
The Bank of England looks certain to raise interest rates today, pushing the cost of borrowing back to a five-year high
Motley Fool: My Unlawful Bank Charges Victory!
Since May, I have been writing articles about my claim to recover unlawful bank charges and the simple process you need to follow if you wish to do the same.
Motley Fool: Lending Value
ShareHitachi Capital (LSE: HCU)Websitehitachicapital.co.ukPrice256pMarket cap£109mDirectors own<1%Other majors65%Eps y/e 31/03/0626.4pHistorical P/E9.7Div y/e 31/03/0611pHistorical yield4.3%Tangible book 30/09/06138pP/TBV1.9Eps forecast 31/03/0727.6pEps forecast 31/03/0829.5pForward P/E 31/03/079.3Div forecast 31/03/0712pDiv forecast 31/03/0813pForward yield 31/03/074.7% Hitachi is a finance company, lending money for business and consumer purchases. It is not a pyad play for two reasons. Firstly, it trades well over book with a P/TBV of 1.9 and secondly, it does not have net cash. Companies involved in money lending rarely have net cash because they normally finance the majority of their lending via debt. The effect is that gearing is enormous and way above any kind of usual value criterion.
This Is Money: More In Line For Compensation
Consumers who had dealings with 80 failed financial services firms can now make a claim for compensation. See the full list
MoneyExpert: Apacs: Card Fraud Declining
The total amount of card fraud has fallen in the last six months by five per cent, it has emerged.
MoneyExpert: Consumers To Reduce Borrowing, Says Report
Those intending to reduce the amount owed on credit cards in the next six months outnumber those who plan to borrow more, new research has found.