Everyone from the government to Tesco may seem to be compiling best buy tables these days - but are they all to be trusted?
While zero per cent credit card balance transfers might seem the ideal solution for Britons who have maxed out on their plastic, concerns have been expressed that such deals could disguise less favourable terms and conditions.
UK current account holders could be interested to see the latest figures from the Office of Fair Trading in its research into bank charges.
The Bank of England has again opted to maintain the current base rate of interest at five per cent.
The Bank of England has detected market expectations that the credit crunch is to bite harder in the coming months.
It is important to give those feeling the credit crunch the chance to access affordable forms of lending, according to the government.
Consumers who use credit cards when they shop can manage their finances with the benefit of flexibility.
Certain credit cards and their attached reward schemes do have a number of benefits, an expert has argued.
The way we pay for things could be revolutionised by emerging technologies, according to Apacs.
Many Britons could be left without cover if payment protection insurance (PPI) sales are restricted, it has been claimed.
A debt consolidation loan is one of a number of ways of tackling an affordability crisis, it has been claimed.
The monetary policy committee has again fixed the Bank of Englands base rate of interest at five per cent.
The Bank of England could ultimately lower the base rate of interest as far as four per cent, it has been predicted.
UK payments association Apacs has announced the launch of its Faster Payments Service across the country.
Britons in debt are being pursued by different individuals from different departments, leading to them feeling harassed, it has been claimed.
The middle classes are not escaping the credit crunch, according to new research.
Credit cards are no long-term solution to tightened household finances, it has been suggested.
Economists are divided as to how soon the Bank of Englands monetary policy committee is likely to change the base rate of interest.
The monetary policy committee has agreed to maintain the base rate of interest at its current level of five per cent for another month.
This weeks monetary policy committee decision could be spurred by the inflationary outlook in the immediate future, according to an economist.
Professionals heading abroad to recapture their motivation have been given insurance advice by American Express.
Many Britons are working so hard to pay their bills that they are left with no personal time, according to American Express Insurance Services.
Up to 80 per cent of UK firms could be putting their customers data at risk by not encrypting hard drive contents, it has emerged.
A reduction in credit card balance transfer offers is likely to materialise in the form of other financial effects for many Britons, it has been claimed.
Reductions in the base rate have so far proved meaningless for borrowers, it has been claimed.
New purchases and balance transfers to a new Halifax credit card are to avoid interest, it has been revealed.
March 31st sees the official introduction of the 2008 edition of the Banking Code.
It is in nobodys best interests to develop a serious debt problem, according to Halifax.
An atypical cut in the base rate of interest may be needed despite improving growth expectations, according to John Charcol.
Consumers in the UK could have become accustomed to debt as a lifestyle choice, it has been suggested.
With credit conditions tightening, Equifax warns Britons not to lie in order to access new lending.
When obtaining a new credit card, it is important to understand the product in full, says Credit Action.
Pre-Christmas expenditure could be having a knock-on effect on some households monthly finances, it has been claimed.
As well as being the nations capital, London is likely to remain the centre of the countrys fraud problems, it has been claimed.
Consumers may have to wait a little longer to receive any refunds on their bank charges, it has emerged.
A row relating to the decision by Egg to cancel some of its credit card accounts could result in a formal investigation, it has emerged.
The typical consumer takes ten hours to report their credit card lost or stolen, according to security group CPP.
The 2007 festive shopping season did not show as much growth as in recent years, it has been revealed.
A personal finance expert urges Britons to "get smart, get savvy" and address their monetary problems.
Britons impulse-buying habits are adding to the amount owed on credit card bills, it has emerged.
The fallout from Christmas expenditure sees a drop in saving for children in February, it has emerged.
So-called Blue Monday went worse than expected for UK investors, with £77 billion wiped off the FTSE 100.
The number of insolvencies and individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) taking place in Britain looks set to rise significantly this year, with "quite a few predictions to say that there will be an increase".
Young people in the UK are failing to carry out any sort of credit card comparison when signing up for new lending products, according to one personal finance institution.
With a myriad of personal finance products on the market, many consumers often have a variety of payment methods at their fingertips every time they make a purchase. With this in mind, Apacs has published a report entitled Payment Myths that aims to uncover how people really spend their money.
Millions of pounds are to be spent on credit cards on Christmas Eve as people look to do their last minute festive shopping, new figures reveal.
Britons could be facing a brighter Christmas financially thanks to seasonal sales, it has been claimed.
A likely repayment schedule should be given to prospective credit card customers before they sign up to a deal, it has been suggested.
A new version of the Banking Code is not to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of age, it has emerged.
Research into the best credit card provider for customer satisfaction has found the John Lewis/Waitrose group named as number one.
Britons moving house this festive season are likely to retain a firm grip on their finances, it has emerged.
Twice as much festive spending is to be made using debit cards than their credit counterparts, it has emerged.
The fallout from the credit crunch is making borrowing more expensive for many Britons, an expert claims.
Credit card users should consider obtaining payment protection insurance (PPI), it has been suggested.
Consumer assistance service Citizens Advice has blamed lenders for allowing Britons to reach untenable levels of debt.
The number of mortgage approvals has fallen by a fifth since last September, according to the Bank of England.
Many consumers are looking to reduce their expenditure in the run-up to Christmas, it has been claimed.
The total level of funds held in individual savings accounts (Isas) has reached record levels, reports the BBC.
A landmark ruling sees banks responsibility for credit card transactions extend to include overseas purchasing.
Many credit card holders are unaware of the order in which their borrowing is repaid, according to Nationwide.
Contactless cards are capable of completing transactions in one hundredth of the time taken by using cash, Visa claims.
Spending on store cards could prove more of a trick than a treat this Halloween, Nationwide warns.
A number of banks have formalised their defence against accusations of levying unfair current account charges, it has emerged.
Britons could find they miss repayment deadlines on their credit cards due to the postal strike, Apacs warns.
Becoming accustomed to debt while at university helps graduates to apply for credit cards and loans later in life, it has been claimed.
Cash machines operated by HSBC are to warn the banks customers if they are nearing the limit of the overdraft agreed on their current account, it has emerged.
PayPass pin-free debit and credit cards from Mastercard were released in London recently.
UK payments association Apacs has announced the introduction of a faster transfer system is to be delayed until May 2008.
Lifetime credit card balance transfers are a flexible means of limiting expenditure, it has been claimed.
Long-term credit card balance transfers are more beneficial than six-month deals, it has been claimed.
Store cards should not be seen as a long-term form of lending, it has been advised.
Home insurance payouts could exceed £2 billion following recent flooding, according to the Association of British Insurers.
Spending on personal credit cards is a common cause of bankruptcy among Britons, it has been claimed.
Credit card fraud committed on UK cards overseas is increasing, according to new figures.
Britons seeking unsecured loans must have a "reasonable" credit rating, it has been advised.
Britons should compare credit cards to avoid roaming charges, an expert advises.
Consumers should compare credit cards to find the deal most suited to their circumstances, it has been advised.
New credit card fraud reporting rules suggest the government "hasnt got a grip" on the situation, an MP claims.
Debit cards are dominating credit card comparison figures, according to Apacs.
Paying wages to employees may be simplified by a new pre-paid Visa card, it has been suggested.
Many homeowners incur debt beyond their mortgages when moving house, it has emerged.
Credit card balance transfers to Lloyds TSBs Airmiles Duo product may take advantage of a six-month introductory rate, the provider states.
The Observer newspaper has highlighted that credit cheques from store-card company Creation Financial Services charge a high rate of interest when cashed in.
A new prepaid card for travellers is to speed up travel insurance claims, it has been suggested.
A new pre-paid Visa card may be useful in preventing insurance fraud, Alliance & Leicester states.
Interest-free credit card balance transfers reward disloyalty among consumers, it has been suggested.
New credit card comparison figures from life assistance firm CPP show Britons spend "crazily" over a lifetime.
Londons business credit card users are to be among the first to use new Visa contactless technology, it has been revealed.
A new high-interest warning could aid store credit card comparison.
Lloyds TSB hopes airmiles will appear favourably in future credit card comparisons.
Spending on store cards may be reduced by interest-free credit card balance transfers, claims Halifax.
Lloyds TSB argues that its travel money card may be a safer alternative to traditional plastic in credit card comparisons.
The majority of credit card holders get no benefits at all from their plastic, in spite of the wide range of well-publicised offers available.
Consumers would prefer their debit card to be usable throughout Europe, according to a credit card comparison survey conducted by payments operator MasterCard.
Lloyds TSB has launched a new service designed to prevent fraudulent credit card balance transfers.
Those looking for credit card comparison options may want to look for personal finance products which offer lower default charges, after it was announced that a quarter of a million people are now claiming back fees.
Those looking to compare credit cards may be interested in the news that UK holidaymakers could be wasting a total of £258 million in banking fees while abroad.
Credit card users are being encouraged to use cards that offer rewards as a way of becoming "savvy" when it comes to borrowing.
Customers taking a new Barclaycard may benefit from a lifetime offer on their credit card balance transfers, the company has announced.
Chip and pin has lowered fraud since its introduction one year ago, according to a credit card comparison from UK payments association Apacs.
Lloyds TSB has encouraged consumers to consider its prepaid Visa card to provide extra security during the half-term holidays.
Increases in the Bank of Englands base rate have resulted in a reduction in the number of interest-free offers on credit card balance transfers, according to UK payments association Apacs.
UK payments association Apacs has revealed that credit card comparison with other forms of payment shows plastic now "dominates" the spending market.
Financial services provider Prudential has announced the sale of its credit-lending subsidiary Egg Banking, which also provides personal loans and mortgages, to credit card provider Citigroup.
Lending provider Barclaycard has lowered the interest rates on its Premiership and Charity packages but says interest-free periods for credit card balance transfers will be maintained.
New figures from credit provider Morgan Stanley compare credit cards as "financial aids" for borrowers.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) Money has warned its customers not to carry out unsustainable credit card balance transfers.
Financial information provider Moneyfacts says it anticipates a "war" of credit card balance transfers in the new year.
Sainsburys Bank has published new figures showing that January is the busiest time of the year for credit card balance transfers and debt consolidation loans.
Customers at Sainsburys Bank are being offered protection against identity fraud in a bid to improve security and prevent against criminal activity.
New statistics have been published by Halifax which compare credit cards with cash purchases for protection in the January sales.
Sainsburys Bank has highlighted the "competitive" rate it offers for credit card balance transfers.
Financial services provider Barclaycard is encouraging retailers to increase credit card comparison with till printouts to reduce fraud in the run-up to Christmas.
American Express has noted the importance of built-in purchase protection in credit card comparison.
Sainsburys Bank is urging its customers to compare credit cards receipts to ensure no personal details are visible when discarding them.
An Egg Credit Card comparison of retail prices has shown the cost of fun has dropped over the past ten years.
Halifax has presented a new package which offers interest-free credit card balance transfers and new purchases.
Visa has announced an innovation to make its service the fastest in the credit card comparison stakes.
More people than ever are planning to make it through Christmas without getting into debt, according to a cash and credit card comparison.
Research from financial data service Defaqto has anticipated a decrease in the number of cards offering free credit card balance transfers.
Barclaycard has suggested that credit card comparison should be carried out with security in mind in the run-up to Christmas.
A report from Morgan Stanley has found that cash incentives are almost as important in credit card comparison as interest rates.
High-street bank Halifax has noted that a pre-paid credit card comparison points towards its Easycash account as a sensible alternative.
Credit provider Mastercard has called 2006 an "historic year" following its 40th anniversary on November 3rd.
Sainsburys Bank has noted strong performance in credit card comparison tables published by consumer advisor Which?.
3V Transaction Services has launched a prepay Visa card for online shoppers worried about fraud.
Halifax is offering interest-free credit card balance transfers as part of its new One package.
Credit card service provider Mastercard has assembled a panel of industry leaders in Cyprus to discuss security within the payment sector.
High-street bank Lloyds TSB is offering its credit card customers access to a lifestyle assistant to help them remember to buy gifts for loved ones.
Reward-savvy credit card comparison could increase the amount donated to charities, according to major lender American Express.
MBNA has topped the charts in a new credit card comparison report.
Credit card comparison could be aided by printing cigarette-style warnings on high-interest products, a finance expert has suggested.
Barclaycards flexi-rate package will include a 12-month interest-free period for credit card balance transfers from October 9th.
Mastercard has revealed a landmark result for its SmartData Online (SDOL) application, which is now used in over a million European transactions each month.
Bank of America Corp (BAC), which bought credit card provider MBNA earlier this year, has renewed an agreement to continue selling Visa products until 2011.
The Post Office has announced its credit card may now be used abroad with no commission charges.
Visa has been named the worlds leading credit card for the ninth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards in Providenciales.
Mint customers can now pay their credit card bills by text message.
UK payment association Apacs has launched a new guide to help provide information and advice for students with credit cards.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to introduce a variety of new perks with its &More credit card.
Cash back credit cards are now more popular than zero per cent balance transfer cards, according to new research from Morgan Stanley.
Barclaycard has unveiled its new student credit card just in time for a fresh wave of students to begin their degrees.
HSBC bank has come under fire from rival Nationwide for changes to its repayment terms.
Marks & Spencer (M&S) Money has won two major awards for its financial products.
Credit card use is expected to soar this summer, according to recently released figures from a credit card provider.
Holidaymakers spend £4.1 billion before they reach the airport, Post Office credit card has revealed.
The Post Office is launching a pre-pay foreign currency credit card in a fusion of its currency exchange and new credit card services.
Cancel your unused credit and store cards or risk identity theft, an online credit report service has warned.
Two new credit cards have been launched in the UK with an automotive connection.
A number of leading banks have slashed the penalty fees for their credit cards.
Hidden charges on credit and debit cards on transactions abroad are expected to collectively cost Britons millions this year.
Brits are increasingly reliant on credit cards for their weekly purchases, according to new research.
A cap on the amount that financial providers can charge as a late fee has been limited to credit cards only.
Shopping around for credit card deals could result in some beneficial savings, according to uSwitch.com.
Consumers have been advised that taking out a loan may prove to be more financially beneficial than paying off their credit cards.
As concerns grow that Britons are increasingly getting themselves into greater debt, uSwitch has warned that consumers must manage their credit more efficiently.
Consumers have been warned that store cards could bring benefits, but only if a disciplined attitude is taken towards them.
Consumers shopping around for credit cards have been advised that it is vital to choose a card which will best match particular spending habits.
Loans should be considered when making large purchases, according to Alliance and Leicester.
Consumers searching online for credit cards should take their spending habits into consideration first, according to Egg.
Consumers have been advised to use all the online tools at their disposal to get the best personal finance deals.
Britons have been advised that they should shop around for the best credit card deals available as banks seek to slowly phase out the most consumer-friendly offers.
Brits spend an amazing £1.6 billion on birthday gifts each year.
They are easy to take out, come with discounts on your first shopping but they could be charging you 20 per cent too much interest.
Cheques sent by credit card firms are a rip off and should be ripped up, claims Which?
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