Tesco has extended its introductory 0% on all purchases offer to a year for customers who apply for its clubcard credit-card online. The card also comes with 0% on balance transfers for the first six months.
Most people who complained about increases in their credit-card interest rates over the past year have won compensation, says Elizabeth Colman in The Sunday Times.
Around 18,000 credit-card complaints were received by the Financial Ombudsman Service in the year to the end of March, with 75% upheld. However, the success rate for specific interest-rate rise complaints was almost 100%. So if you think your credit-card company has put up its rate unfairly, complain.
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Mortgage lending hit an eight-year low in April. Net lending by major banks totalled £3.7bn, the lowest figure since March 2001, says the British Bankers' Association. But the number of mortgages approved for purchases rose slightly to 27,685 last month, the second-highest figure in the past year.
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The Nottingham Building Society's latest bond has "shot to the top" of the best-buy tables, says Miles Brignall in The Guardian. The two-year fixed-rate savings bond pays 4.35% that's 3.45% after tax for basic-rate taxpayers. Find out more by calling 0845 423 8464, or visit www.thenottingham.com.
National Savings and Investments has increased the interest rate on its no-notice bonds to 1.7% for balances above £500 and 2% on balances over £25,000. You can invest up to £1m and minimum withdrawals are £500. Visit www.nsandi.com for more details.
Lloyds TSB has launched a "tempting" mortgage for first-time buyers, says The Observer. The 95% loan-to-value mortgage is fixed for three years at 4.39%. But there is a big catch. In order to get the Lend a Hand deal, buyers will need a friend or relative to put down a 20% deposit for them. This 20% will then sit in a Lloyds TSB savings account earning 3.5% for 42 months.
After that, provided mortgage repayments and rising house prices have brought the loan-to-value ratio below 90%, the money can be withdrawn. Otherwise it has to remain in the account until the ratio falls below 90%.
Over the past three years 133,985 homes in England have been put in too high a council-tax band, reports The Sunday Telegraph. To find out how you can go about checking your council-tax banding, and whether you can challenge your local council over it, visit moneysavingexpert.com.
Bargain hunters should sign up to Fixture Ferrets, says The Times. In return for 10p a week, this website will keep you up to date on all the offers available at supermarkets in the UK. It will even send you text alerts about new discounts.
