Loans & Credit

Inside Loans & Credit

Beginner's guide to...Improving your credit score

Saturday, 26 December 2009

Unless you have been living in a cave, you'll know it has become much harder to borrow money, whether it is a loan, a credit card or mortgage. Lenders look at your credit score when deciding whether or not to lend you cash, and that's based on your borrowing history. So how can you polish up your rating in order to qualify for the best possible deals?

Lenders cut interest on fixed-rate deals

Sunday, 13 December 2009

Mortgage lenders are busy slashing their rates as competition hots up for borrowers, according to financial information firm Moneyfacts.

Simon Read: Spending won't lead to a happy Christmas

Saturday, 12 December 2009

More than half of people who use a credit or store card feel that meeting the minimum repayment is a burden, according to research published this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Alarmingly, 15 per cent of people fail to meet some of their repayments, the ONS said. On the other hand, the same survey reported that household wealth reached a record £9 trillion in Great Britain between 2006 and 2008, with the average wealth of households estimated at a healthy-looking £204,500.

Credit: Make sure a new year hangover is not on the cards

Sunday, 6 December 2009

As the shopping festivities start, Chiara Cavaglieri shows how to stop your flexible friend from becoming a fiend

The high cost of debt to your wellbeing

Saturday, 5 December 2009

People with mental health issues can face difficulties managing their money, leading to debt problems. Neasa MacEarlean finds out what help is available

Consumers repay record levels of debt as new home loans rise

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Britons cut their credit card, loan and overdraft debts by £579m in October

Bank charges case will mean better deals for us

Saturday, 28 November 2009

They may have won the battle, but banks won't dare take liberties with the public anymore

Credit card squeeze: has borrowing on plastic had its day?

Saturday, 14 November 2009

The credit card market in Britain may be unsustainable.

Spotlight: Loans

Saturday, 7 November 2009

Loan providers have received much criticism recently as personal loan rates have been rising, even though the Bank of England base rate is at a record low of 0.5 per cent. Marks & Spencer Money's decision to cut its loan rate is therefore welcome news.

Ten tips to avoid crafty credit card tricks

Wednesday, 4 November 2009

This month, the government unveiled plans to crackdown on credit card companies and help give consumers a fairer deal. But what can you do to protect your pocket in the meantime?

Big credit-card shake-up could hit you in the pocket

Sunday, 1 November 2009

Watch for hidden perils, warns Chiara Cavaglieri

Beginner's Guide To: Credit card order of payments

Saturday, 31 October 2009

The government has announced a new consultation into credit cards, proposing a raft of measures designed to "clean up the industry" and bring an end to practices it deems unfair.

Spotlight: AA Credit Card

Saturday, 31 October 2009

It's not only cards with 0 per cent offers on purchases that are popular in the run-up to Christmas. Cards that reward you for spending are a great option for those who pay off their credit card bill each month. And The AA has joined the reward card club.

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