Agreement on credit card debt reached

16 December 2008
Credit card companies have agreed on a set of ‘fair principles’ to help consumers struggling with credit card debt.... read more »

Consumers need to rely on loans less, expert warns

7 November 2008
In order to return to a more stable financial situation, the UK needs to reach a situation where consumers are saving more money and are less reliant on loans and credit, it has been suggested.... read more »

‘Huge debts’ cause shoppers to cut spending

16 January 2009
Retailers’ figures have confirmed that shoppers are spending less ‘because of huge debts’, The Guardian reports.... read more »

Govt set to announce loans for car industry

This Wednesday, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson may announce new Government loans to help the car industry – although this is by no means definite.... read more »

10.3m ‘reliant on borrowing to cover costs’

9 February 2009
New research from the Post Office has suggested that 10.3m British citizens are reliant on credit – potentially including loans – to pay for everyday living expenses.... read more »

Business loans: tough times

2 March 2009
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has published the results of its Access to Finance survey, which looks at the issues facing companies looking for loans and other forms of credit.... read more »

More Britons paying off debt

1 June 2009
Britons are making a real effort to tackle their debts. So says Equifax, according to aap.co.uk - the website of `the UK`s largest buyer of endowment policies`.... read more »

Loans: credit crunch `has ended`

22 May 2009
Economists have suggested that the `credit crunch` has come to an end, according to The Times, after the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) fell to record lows.... read more »

Car loans could become cheaper as LIBOR falls

Interest rates on car loans could be set to fall after The Times reported that the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) fell to a record low.... read more »

How long will an IVA/debt management plan stay on my credit history?

1 June 2009
For people struggling with unmanageable debt, debt solutions such as an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) or a debt management plan can be a `lifeline`, helping them regain control of their finances and look forward to a debt-free future.... read more »

Building up debt for tomorrow?

29 May 2009
Some people may be building up debt problems for tomorrow by taking advantage of `buy now, pay later` deals without stopping to consider the possible consequences.... read more »

Secured loans `down 76% on last year`

15 June 2009
New figures have shown a significant fall in lending to consumers over the past year, as the credit crunch has continued to restrict the availability of loans.... read more »

Banks report weak lending figures

24 July 2009
Consumer lending remained weak in May, according to the latest figures from the Bank of England, suggesting that a level of uncertainty still exists amongst banks.... read more »

Over-50s `much wiser` with credit card debt

4 September 2009
A higher proportion of the over-50s age group carry two or more credit cards than any other age group, according to Saga, potentially increasing their risk of racking up debts.... read more »

Can an IVA save me from bankruptcy?

18 May 2009
Faced with the prospect of going bankrupt, many people will go to any lengths to find a solution that can `save` them from bankruptcy. This isn`t always the right approach - for some people, bankruptcy could well be the best (or only) solution to their debt problems.... read more »

Consolidate debt - credit cards

2 October 2009
Different debts are managed in different ways. Personal loans, for example, require regular monthly repayments, whereas credit cards only require you to repay a small percentage of the balance each month.... read more »

Getting a bank account during bankruptcy

21 October 2009
Bankruptcy can help you to clear your debts and make a new start - but it is a significant financial event that will affect you for years to come.... read more »

Bank accounts for people with a poor credit history

23 October 2009
A poor credit history can affect more than just your chances of obtaining credit: it can also make it difficult to get a regular bank account.... read more »

Can creditors refuse a debt management plan?

24 December 2009
If you find that your unsecured debts are causing you problems and you can no longer afford your monthly payments, one solution could be a debt management plan. By reducing your monthly payments to a manageable level, you can make sure you`re meeting all your financial commitments every month, including your debt repayments.... read more »

Challenging times for consumer credit

30 December 2009
When accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers published the `Precious Plastic 2010 - Consumer credit in the UK` report, it warned that `The future of credit cards is under threat as never before`.... read more »