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The latest news from the world of personal finance plus advice for those trying to make the most of their money.

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Money Box: 08/09/2012

08/09/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, 08/09/2012

The City watchdog warns banks to stop selling us products we don't need. With Paul Lewis.

The City watchdog warns banks to stop trying to sell us products we don't need, and does a firm's price match guarantee really mean what it says? Personal finance with Paul Lewis.

On Money Box with Paul Lewis: 

When you pop into a branch of your bank do you hate the way they always try to sell you things as well? If so you're not alone. The man who will soon be in charge of the new watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority hates it too. And in a speech this week Martin Wheatley said that paying bonuses to staff for sales makes them sell us things we don't need. Martin Wheatley's remarks followed a survey of 22 banks, building societies, insurance and investment firms. And he promised a crackdown. Paul Lewis asks him whether he would end these sales bonuses.


More than 200,000 small business customers of Santander will continue to get free banking forever after the bank did a U-turn on a plan to charge them at least £90 a year. Over the last few weeks the bank had written to its small business customers telling them that in future the 'free forever' accounts would cost them either £7.50 or £12.50 a month. Many of them objected but Santander would not keep its promise. Bob Howard reports.

Lots of firms offer to match the price of a product or service of a competitor or pay you the difference but how easy is it to actually hold them to that promise? One Money Box listener thought he had a strong case for getting back the price difference for work carried on his car out by Halfords. But he found getting the company to accept his claim was no easy matter. Bob Howard reports and Paul Lewis talks to Vena Raffle, head of investigations at the Advertising Standards Authority. 

Cold calls and out-of-the-blue texts offering services you neither want nor need are a bane of modern life. Some claims management companies are amongst the worst culprits. Paul talks to Steve Eckersley, head of enforcement at The Information Commissioner, to ask what he is doing to stop them.

Do you get points when you spend money on your credit card? If you do and you're saving them up for some expensive treat beware - points may not mean prizes. In fact points can expire quicker than the parrot you are hoping to buy with them. Rachel Springall from the comparison site Moneyfacts.co.uk tells Paul the ins and outs.

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