The Bank of England has published its latest monthly Money and Credit report, showing consumer credit grew by £1.9 billion in November. The 12-month annual growth rate in consumer credit now stands at 10.8% – its highest since October 2005. Joanna Elson OBE, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National…
Read moreFor the majority of consumers in the UK, bills aren’t getting any clearer or easier to understand, which is confusing customers and wasting an important customer touch point, according to new research from Echo Managed Services. This is despite up to a third of people stating that clarity is the number one billing improvement businesses need…
Read moreThe government’s plans for a fresh round of welfare cuts, dubbed ‘Bedroom Tax 2’, threatens to undermine housebuilding projects, increase homelessness, and weaken public sector finances across Scotland, it has been claimed. According to The Herald, payments to help tenants meet their social housing costs will be capped by the UK government for the first time with…
Read moreMonese, a London, UK-based mobile banking service, has raised $10 million in funding. Backers included Anthemis Exponential Ventures, Korea Investment Partners and STE Capital. The company intends to use the funds to expand into mainland Europe as well as to launch new features like direct debit and credit services. Led by Norris Koppel, Chief Executive…
Read moreThe Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that Mastercard’s acquisition of VocaLink gives rise to competition concerns. Mastercard UK Holdco Ltd, a subsidiary of Mastercard International is buying VocaLink Holdings Ltd (VocaLink). It already owns and operates credit and debit card schemes Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus, and has also bid to supply infrastructure services…
Read moreHousehold bills rose by almost £200 in 2016 according to new findings from comparethemarket.com. An analysis of costs across energy, motor and home insurance found that, after a £180 drop in 2015, bills rose by 9.7% in the past year from £2,032 in 2015 to £2,223 in 2016. Key finings in the report included: The…
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