Following revelations on BBC’s Panorama television programme last week* that some banks are charging customers eye watering interest rates of up to 3,650% if they go overdrawn**, these banks may need to get their own house in order first before scoffing at perceived high APR payday loans. So says industry expert Gary Miller-Cheevers (and CEO of payday loan company speed-e-loans.com), citing the television programme’s example of how if a Halifax customer went into an authorised overdraft … [Read more...]

More than one million foreign holidays will end in tears this year due to flight delays, illness or bad weather, a recent study has revealed. Arguments with a partner or friends, lost luggage and dirty accommodation also regularly ruin holidays, researchers found. Sunburn, noisy neighbours and drinking too much also wreck sunshine breaks. Yesterday Stephen Ebbett of travel insurance specialists www.protectyourbubble.com, which commissioned the study, said: ''Brits often spend months … [Read more...]

Protect your bubble, one of the UK’s leading gadget insurance providers, has launched a new iPhone insurance product that costs less than half the price of iPhone insurance from some networks*. The new policy includes cover for accidental damage, including water damage, theft and mechanical breakdown once the Apple warranty expires – all for £5.99 a month. Unlike many iPhone insurance products, loss protection is also available for an additional £1 per month. As well as the core … [Read more...]

Following on from the Citizens Advice taking the banks to task for treating bankrupts unfairly by refusing them bank accounts, finance expert Gary Miller-Cheevers has highlighted how prepaid card accounts can be a cost-effective solution. In a press statement*, the Citizens Advice says that: “People going through bankruptcy are too often being banned from opening even a basic, no credit, bank account. Despite there being no legal reason why undischarged bankrupts shouldn’t be able to … [Read more...]

The latest payday loan application figures from Speed-e-loans have highlighted how the credit crunch continues to bite hard, particularly hitting those in the 30-40 year age band - a demographic traditionally perceived to be among the most affluent. The figures* show how over a third (36%) of cash-strapped consumers turning to payday loans are in their thirties, with 32% of all payday loan applications being used to service day-to-day bills. The top 3 payday loan purposes: 32% borrow … [Read more...]

Towergate today announced the launch of Towergateaffiliates.com , a new service aimed at providing website owners and online introducers with the ability to promote Towergate eInsurance product offerings online. The platform allows affiliates to send traffic to the various Towergate businesses including Insurance4Carhire, Your Insurance and AssureUK in return for payment of commission on business underwritten. The platform allows affiliates to view their activity in real time, something … [Read more...]