Latest Finance News

Economy News:

FSA to introduce tougher stress tests for banks

City watchdog, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has today announced banks will face stricter stress testing to ensure they can survive a further 4 years of falling economic growth and a 13.3%... [Read more]

Investment News

ICAP, Tullett Prebon lead 100, 250 in London

Equities markets in the Asia-Pacific region were higher Wednesday. The FTSE 100 added 0.68 percent to 5,640.57 in London, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.93 percent to 9,865.29. Inter-dealer money brokers... [Read more]

More Economy Headlines:

• Think tank provides UK growth forecasts
• UK factory output in surprise January fall
• German exports slump in January
• Northern Rock sees losses narrow
• BA in talks with union to avert strikes

More Investing Headlines:

• Shanks Group down on rejected bid
• Forth Ports adds over 25 percent on offers
• Schroders spends second day atop FTSE 100 leaders list
• Norway excludes tobacco investments from oil fund
• Schroders leads 100 in London

Banking News:

FSA to introduce tougher stress tests for banks

City watchdog, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), has today announced banks will face stricter stress testing to ensure they can survive a further 4 years of falling economic growth and a 13.3%... [Read more]

Insurance News

FSA delays PPI reforms

The Financial Services Authority (FSA), has announced a delay on its plans to reform the Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) market. The City Watchdog said its consultation will be delayed by six weeks... [Read more]

More Banking Headlines:

• Northern Rock sees losses narrow
• FSA delays PPI reforms
• Credit card fraud falls, online banking fraud grows
• Top ISA deal pays 3.5%
• Sustainable banks pledge to serve the poor

More Insurance Headlines:

• Travel insurance hiked by 174% for older travellers
• Prudential in $35.5bn deal with AIA
• Prudential in advanced talks with AIA
• Be sure to insure winter break, warns moneysupermarket.com
• Crash twice to double your car insurance premiums

Property News:

House sale instructions outpace buyer interest

The UK housing market experienced a shift in the balance between supply and demand in February, with new instructions outpacing buyer interest for the second consecutive month. According to the Royal... [Read more]

Mortgage News

Two and five-year fixed rates trimmed back

The average cost of a two-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to a six-and-a-half-year low during February, according to new figures from the Bank of England. The average rate stood to 3.88%, down from 3.97%... [Read more]

More Property Headlines:

• US home sales in surprise fall in January
• Tesco and Spicerhaart launch online estate agency
• Homeowners to be replaced by tenants
• House prices down 1.5% in February
• House sales soar in February

More Mortgage Headlines:

• Rise in house purchase mortgage deals
• Coventry allows unlimited repayments on 3.99% mortgage
• Stamp duty should be “staggered”, expert claims
• Why you should check the SVR on your mortgage
• Green homes plan raises eco-mortgage concerns

Finance Blog:

Google Finance sends users to China!

Google Finance (http://www.google.com/finance) appears to be having problems today - with users being directed to a Chinese language version of the site. Google Finance is certainly no stranger to problems... [Read more]

Pensions News

Travel insurance hiked by 174% for older travellers

Insurers need to “change their approach” to older travellers, moneysupermarket.com claimed this week. A spokesperson for the price comparison site made the comment after research found that... [Read more]

More from the Finance Blog:

• 416 US banks in trouble
• Japan’s false economic recovery
• Stock Market to crash again in 2009?
• NAEA mistake: It’s Estate Agents over valuing property
• George Osborne forgets Bank of England created financial crisis

More Pension Headlines:

• PPF: DB pension scheme deficit falls in February
• Pensions income gender gap looms
• Women receive less pension due to career break
• Pensions income drops 70% in a decade
• AA workers in strike ballot

Insurance Reviews:

Latest car, home and life insurance reviews on Finance Markets:

Home Insurance

• Barclays Home Insurance
• Churchill Home Insurance
• Columbus Direct Home Insurance
• Direct Line Home Insurance
• LV Home Insurance
• Nationwide Home Insurance
• Norwich Union Home Insurance
• Prudential Home Insurance

Pet Insurance

• Argos Pet Insurance
• Homebase Pet Insurance
• LV Pet Insurance

Travel Insurance

• Argos Travel Insurance
• Aviva Travel Insurance Review
• Columbus Direct Travel
• Direct Line Travel Insurance
• LV Travel Insurance

Car Insurance

• AA Breakdown Cover
• AA Motorcycle Insurance
• AA Van Insurance
• Barclays Car Insurance
• Churchill Car Insurance
• Churchill Van Insurance
• Co-operative Motor Insurance
• Direct Line Car Insurance
• LV Car Insurance
• Norwich Union Car Insurance
• RAC Breakdown Cover
• Saga Motor Insurance
• Swiftcover Car Insurance

Life Insurance

• Direct Line Life Insurance
• Legal & General Life Insurance
• Nationwide Life Insurance
• Norwich Union Life Insurance