Current account

People are more likely to pay close attention to their current account or mortgage costs than the charges they pay for their pension, a survey has found. Less than half (48%) of those with a pension said they “care” about the charges they pay on their retirement pots. This compares with around seven in 10 of those with a mortgage or a current account who pay close attention to what they pay, at 71% and 70% respectively. The research was commissioned by B&CE, provider of the People’s Pension, a workplace pension scheme serving more than five million pension savers across the UK. Recommended Crypto meltdown slows as market reels from Terra collapse - live Coleen Rooney to take witness stand in libel trial - live Boris Johnson news live: PM to cut around 90,000 civil service jobs A YouGov poll of more than 1,600 people across the UK with a pension found that, among those who said they do not care about the charges they pay, … [Read more...] about People ‘more likely to scrutinise current account charges than pension costs’

By Kevin Peachey Published 9 October 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Start-up firms are being "stifled" at birth as they find it almost impossible to open a business bank account. Major banks are closed to new applications for business current accounts, or warning of long delays. Entrepreneurs have told BBC News of how requests for a new account "disappear down a black hole". One lobby group said such firms were fundamental to any economic recovery, but banks say they are busy processing coronavirus loan support schemes. 'Literally impossible' Sophia Murday has set up a greengrocer in a previously-empty shop in Glasgow just yards from her flat, marking a career shift from working on sustainability projects. The 39-year-old is selling fruit, vegetables, milk and eggs to locals. "It serves a purpose and is useful to the community, particularly … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: ‘My bank account request disappeared down a hole’

By Kevin Peachey Published 28 May 2021 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic High Street banks say they are back to opening accounts for small businesses as normal after pressures amid the pandemic caused problems. In October, start-ups told BBC News how they were being "stifled" at birth owing to difficulties in opening a business bank account. The Treasury Committee of MPs demanded answers from the banks, including why potential customers faced long delays. The banks have now told the committee that the situation has improved. The committee's chairman, Mel Stride, said it would "keep a close eye" on the issue. Some banks were closed to new applications from small firms during the height of the Covid crisis as they concentrated their stretched resources on existing customers. … [Read more...] about Covid: Small businesses’ account delays are over, insist banks

The first thing John should do is to put £15,000 in a Nisa [ALAMY] Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Problem He has a workplace pension worth £20,000 a year and a lump sum of £90,000. He also knows what he wants: a safe home for his money, easy access and as much interest as possible, although he realises that in the current economic climate that won’t be very much. Despite his modest ambition, John is confused by the array of savings plans, so he asked Crusader for help. Solution The requirements of no risk and accessibility mean the only choice is to stay in cash. John will be a basic-rate taxpayer, a crucial factor. “This means £20 out of every £100 of interest … [Read more...] about The Crusader: How can I make savings work for my retirement?

KARACHI: Pakistani rupee on Tuesday maintained its downward streak against the US dollar, breaching yet another important threshold of 195 the interbank market to hit its weakest level. In line with the prevailing trend over the last eight working days, the local currency was being traded at Rs195.5 against the greenback during intraday trading surpassing its last day's record low of Rs194.18. A persistent delay in the receipt of the next tranche of $1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is mounting pressure on the rupee. The situation is likely to remain uncertain for the local currency, AA Commodities Director Adnan Agar said while speaking to Geo.tv. “If the government decides to remove subsidies on petroleum products, the rupee will bounce back,” he said, adding that the local unit will remain within the range of 180-185. Agar, however, added that if the government decided to dissolve the assembly and move towards early election, the situation for the … [Read more...] about Rupee hits another historic low of Rs195.5 against dollar

Russian Ruble appears to be rebounding after taking hit Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Moscow’s currency rose past 64 per dollar on Monday, May 16, briefly jumping to 62.71 to the greenback as it became the world's best-performing currency so far this year. Central bank data revealed Russia's current account surplus has more than tripled from January to April to $95.8 billion, boosted by higher proceeds from imports and a drop in imports. Related articles Panicked EU prepares for Russia retaliation - leaked document Putin’s prowess in battle torn apart as he's branded 'fanboy' The boost is also due to artificial … [Read more...] about Ruble nears 5-year high as EU buckles in gas row with Vladimir Putin

The chances are reasonable that you’ll die before making a will. According to most studies, fewer than half of American adults report having a last will and testament that lays out how they want their property divided up, among other final wishes. Though some portion of that group opts for alternative types of estate planning, while others might draft a will late in life, many just never get around to designating their heirs at all. The stakes can be surprisingly high. If you don’t plan for your demise, you relinquish control of your last wishes to a rickety, decades-old bureaucratic process that will do it for you—and may not include some of the people closest to you. For these cases, every U.S. state has laws that automatically designate their heirs—sometimes called “intestate-succession laws.” These laws differ slightly depending on the locality, but they tend to create a familiar hierarchy for inheritance. If the person has a spouse, the spouse is the first inheritor, and gets … [Read more...] about A Timeless Problem That Needs a Modern Makeover

Lloyds and Halifax to close 44 branches over the next year Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A customer told Express.co.uk that they have not been able to access their current account when attempting to login into online banking earlier today. The customer said they tried to log on to their Halifax current account and it’s "not working". They added: "Can’t pay anyone.” Related articles New gas boiler threat - install heat pump or we'll devalue your home Gas boiler ban shock – homeowners face £30k bill to install heat pumps Despite this complaint, Downtector is not reporting a drastic uptake in the amount of problems … [Read more...] about Halifax customer left unable to pay anyone as online banking ‘not working’

For weeks now , as COVID-19 cases have ticked upward in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, pundits and political leaders have offered a supposedly reassuring refrain: Cases might be climbing, but hospitalizations aren’t yet following suit. In some places, that has been true. Several health-care workers around the country told me they’re seeing the lowest caseloads since last summer. A few aren’t having to treat COVID patients at all. Others are only seeing mildly sick people who need little more than IV fluids. “I don’t think there’s a huge amount of anxiety over what the next month might bring,” Debra Poutsiaka, an infectious-disease specialist at Tufts Medical Center, told me. “I could be wrong. I hope not.” The Biden administration shares those hopes: Having apparently given up on curtailing the coronavirus , it is counting on vaccines and treatments decoupling infection from severe illness enough to prevent the health-care system from becoming inundated again . The CDC’s … [Read more...] about What COVID Hospitalization Numbers Are Missing

This Morning: Woman in tears recalling getting scammed Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The woman was made to believe her bank was involved in dodgy dealings, and the police needed her to work undercover for them. The son of the victim shared the story, urging people to be on their guard and help protect their vulnerable peers and family members. Related articles Pensioner 1.25% National Insurance levy may be hiked to 13.25% Universal Credit: Claimants could get thousands more in 'freebies' The scam began in August 2021, the victim was contacted on her landline from a man claiming to be a police officer. He said that her … [Read more...] about ‘Eaten away at her trust and confidence’ – Pensioner, 83, loses £29,788 to scammers