Are savings at Santander UK safe from the Spanish banking crisis?

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:29:17 GMT

Spanish banks are being made to set aside billions to protect against losses from a property price crash in the country. What is the impact on UK savers with Santander?

Crisis hits Cyprus Popular Bank but Bank of Cyprus in better health

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:12:38 GMT

The news could have implications for many savers here after a push by the Bank of Cyprus, the country's biggest bank, in recent years to attract deposits from the UK with table-topping rates.

Savings compensation and protection: Bank ownership and licences

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:08:07 GMT

The way you spread out your savings with banks is crucial in terms of protection and compensation. We show you how to play the system.

Fixed-rate massacre as best buy savings are cut

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:17:31 GMT

A number of banks and building societies have axed the rate on fixed account deals in recent weeks in a blow to savers looking to lock up their cash to maximise interest.

Why hasn't Santander invested our money into the correct bonds?

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:12:51 GMT

We visited our branch at the beginning of October to invest in new bonds paying 3.93 per cent - yet our money still does not appear to have been invested in the correct bonds.

New bank GE Capital Direct launches two easy access savings accounts

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:19:37 GMT

Today sees the launch of a new bank offering internet-based accounts to savers. GE Capital Direct, a UK company ultimately owned by U.S. giant General Electric, has launched two easy-access savings accounts

Best-buy savings account rates plunge on deals for new savers in the past week

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:03:44 GMT

Banks and building societies have cut their top rates to new savers in the past week, including Nationwide, Virgin Money, AA Savings and Sainsbury's.

Savers should be getting ready to switch their cash Isas for a better deal

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:29:39 GMT

A host of top-paying accounts on sale this time last year will pay lower rates once you have been in the account for 12 months. These rates can plummet from an attractive 3 per cent to as little as 0.5 per cent.

Santander esaver interest rates hidden online - why is it so hard to find your rate?

Wed, 16 May 2012 05:32:54 GMT

Santander has delivered some top rates through its esaver, yet savers are plagued by bonuses dropping off at different times with no easy way to see what they are paid. Lee Boyce tracks the mystery rates.

Cash Isa rate cull: AA pulls the plug on its 3.5% best-buy Isa savings account

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:54:24 GMT

In another blow to savers, the AA is axing its best-buy 3.5 per cent cash Isa today, leaving only two other cash Isa savings accounts at this top-paying rate.

This is Money's 5 favourite best buy Isas

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:46:45 GMT

We pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers. This is essential Isa reading and is kept up-to-date throughout the year

Pensioners and savers 'being made permanently poorer' due to low interest rates and QE

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:49:24 GMT

According to Save Our Savers, savings rates have halved in recent years while pensioners have also faced falling annuity rates since interest rates were cut to 0.5% more than three years ago.

Nationwide drops the rate on its best-buy Flexclusive Isa to 3.5%

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:27:36 GMT

Nationwide has sliced the rate of its best-buy Flexclusive Isa by 0.75 percentage points, the day after This is Money warned that the building society was set to do so.

Middle classes targeted by conmen in ever-more elaborate fraud scams

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:54:49 GMT

That’s a hit list of potential victims compiled by fraudsters. And if you’re middle aged, middle class and a saver, they will be trying to steal your money.

What has happened to the £500 I paid into our joint Tesco savings account?

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:12:22 GMT

I paid £500 into our joint Tesco savings account last August using a cheque drawn on my mother’s Barclays account - however, the money still hasn't gone into the account.

Recession-hit Britons 'need more savings to make them happy'

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:11:48 GMT

The amount of savings Britons need to make them happy has risen sharply in the past two years, according to new research.

Savers' millions locked into accounts paying poor interest

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:35:07 GMT

Banks and building societies are desperate for savers’ cash to fill their coffers. Other sources of funding — such as using the investment money markets — have dried up, and rule changes are forcing banks to back up the loans they make with more of savers’ money.

'Ordinary' savers pots swell by 18% in three months as PPI pay-outs boost accounts, research suggests

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:38:51 GMT

An increasing number of cash-conscious savers have been putting more money aside, a move driven by restrained spending and assisted by large PPI payouts, research has found.

Transfer ban: Why an increasing number of ISAs are refusing to let you move in

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:12:08 GMT

The number of best-buy Isa transfers has become common place meaning many savers are now operating more than one account in order to maximise interest.

Overdraft interest climbs to 20% despite record low BoE rate

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:04:50 GMT

When the Bank cut the base rate to 0.5 per cent the average authorised overdraft rate was 18.62 per cent. It has been climbing steadily to 19.52 per cent.

Instant access savings rates hit a three year high

Wed, 02 May 2012 13:23:12 GMT

Many savings accounts now come with a bonus. By switching accounts each year, Defaqto estimates that savers would have earned over 298 times as much interest as the lowest paying account.

Act now to ensure loved-ones can run your savings

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:35:59 GMT

As more than a million people are expected to suffer dementia by the end of 2015, older people are urged to set up a lasting power-of-attorney.

Banks face more PPI agony as claims rise

Tue, 01 May 2012 10:09:19 GMT

One of the worst mis-selling scandals to hit the UK has escalated, forcing banks including Lloyds TSB to add hundreds of millions of pounds to their compensation bills.

Three steps to switch your current account to a better deal

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:17:44 GMT

Checking whether you can get a better current account is a wise move, but how do you switch once you find one? We explain how to move in three simple steps.

The real rates of return on social lending: How special income tax treatment trims interest

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:49:12 GMT

Websites that appeal to savers by empowering them to lend to individuals and firms to earn 'interest' are flourishing. But fresh doubt has been cast on the claimed headline returns of nearly 6 per cent.

Online banking nightmares: New internet security hurdles, disappearing money and how banks got to shift the blame

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:51:27 GMT

Anna and Daniel Rhodes are forced to drive almost two miles down the road every time they want to use online banking - because they have no phone reception at home.

Co-operative Bank won't let me close my mother's credit card account

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:52:27 GMT

For more than a year I have been trying to close my mother’s credit card account with the Co-operative Bank. She has dementia and my brother and I have power of attorney.

My son cannot access an Alliance & Leicester savings account that was opened for him when he was born

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:45:11 GMT

My friend opened a savings account for my son in 1994. The friend has since emigrated and we lost touch. My son is now 18, but is being refused access to the account.

NatWest and RBS slash rates on loyal savers and lock them out of new 3.5% best buy eIsa

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:45:54 GMT

Disgruntled customers are seeing their rates plunge by up to 0.69% and are locked out of NatWest's current 3.5% best buy eIsa - which it offers to savers transferring from rival banks.

Cash will all but die out by 2032, says expert, as small businesses accepting card payments double in five years

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:04:08 GMT

A fresh generation of credit and debit card using consumers could spell the death knell for cash, one industry expert believes, as more of us shun cash for plastic.

Why you can't trust advice from the financial watchdog

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:59:24 GMT

A Money Mail investigation has exposed serious flaws by the Money Advice Service - the free financial advice website backed by the Government.

How HSBC's global presence is not put to the benefit of its banking customers

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:25:08 GMT

One overseas HSBC customer who tried to deal with the UK arm found that he may as well have banked with a different company altogether.

Nottingham BS Starter Isa: save steadily and get 5%

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:37:37 GMT

The account is ideal for savers looking to gradually build up £5,640 over the year - but those with a lump sum are better off looking elsewhere.

Workers abandon 'failing' pensions for Isas to avoid 'forest of regulation'

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:40:25 GMT

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show Britons put £22.9billion into a pension in 2009 – a decrease on £24.9billion in 2008 and £25.6billion in 2007.

Nationwide allows early-bird savers to swap into best-buy 4.25% Isa

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:51:03 GMT

Nationwide has bowed to pressure and will help upset early-bird savers who stashed cash on the first day of the new tax year only to find a better account arriving the day after.

Banks that fine you for not having £1,500 in your current account

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:10:13 GMT

The number of accounts that levy a fine even if a customer never goes overdrawn, but fails to pay in a set amount, has doubled in just two years.

Banks and building societies slammed for 'Gold' savings accounts aimed at over-50s that pay far less interest

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:59:18 GMT

Researchers found the average interest rate offered by the top 20 financial providers for the over-50s is 2.23 per cent – but it is 3.17 per cent for accounts aimed at all age groups.

BEST BUYS: Top-paying bond for savers seeking monthly income

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:54:24 GMT

Monthly income seekers can earn 2.6 per cent after tax (3.25 per cent before) from the latest bond from Skipton BS — as long as they are happy to run their account over the internet.

How to start saving into a cash Isa

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:21:45 GMT

Cash Isas should be the first port of call for every saver. Read our easy guide to getting started

Savings accounts: Account types

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:25:31 GMT

Guide: The array of deposit accounts can be confusing. We explain them all and reveal the best and safest rates and accounts

How to get a better deal from your bank: mortgages, current accounts, loans, savings

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:45:13 GMT

This week, the Independent Commission on Banking told how consumers get poor value from their bank. Yet we move our current account just once every 26 years. We tell you how to get a better deal.