Speaker's Corner
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on 01 December 2009Return of sub-prime lender is great news
One high-profile sub-prime lender has made a return to mainstream lending. The more the merrier! -
on 17 November 2009
We haven’t turned the repossessions corner yet
Last week saw more positive news on the number of properties being repossessed, but we are not out of the woods just yet. -
on 22 October 2009
Little guys making big impact on energy prices
OVO Energy and First:Utility are showing up the big 6 with their energy pricing – something we should all support! -
on 16 October 2009
We don’t need loan-to-value rules!
The FSA has gone quiet on the possibility of regulating just what loan-to-values banks can lend. Good! -
on 13 October 2009
First-time buyers suffer big loss
Britannia Building Society has swept the rug out from under the feet of first-time buyers by withdrawing its 90% loan-to-value mortgages. -
on 09 October 2009
House price falls will come – but no crash
One ratings agency has this week warned of a further 20% fall in house prices – realistic, or worst case scenario? -
on 06 October 2009
How to watch the England game
You won’t find this weekend’s England-Ukraine match on any TV channel – it’s only available on pay-per-view on the internet! -
on 05 October 2009
Brits turning against home ownership
A quarter of adults in some cities have no desire to own their own home. Good! -
on 23 September 2009
The madness of Britain’s borrowers
New research has found that of those enjoying low tracker rates at the moment, more than half are opting not to overpay on their mortgage. -
on 16 September 2009
Borrowers beating down HSBC’s door for 1.99% mortgage
Online traffic and calls to HSBC double thanks to mega-low rate. -
on 08 September 2009
My hometown is a card fraud hotspot!
Ilford is a fairly unremarkable place in East London, and yet new research has found it’s in the top ten worst towns for credit card fraud -
on 04 September 2009
The art of complaining alive and well
According to new data from the FSA, more than NINE MILLION complaints were made against financial firms between 2006 and 2008! -
on 28 August 2009
Borrowers turning to variable deals
With Base Rate unlikely to move for some time, the popularity of trackers is rocketing. -
on 21 August 2009
Is the world ready for a Cockney cash machine?
Five cash machines in East London now present your options in rhyming slang. Are they having a bubble? -
on 19 August 2009
Mortgages now available through social networking site!
My nightmares are coming true – you can now apply for a range of financial products via one social networking site. -
on 14 August 2009
When a repossession isn’t a repossession
The lenders can gloss it up however they like, but appointing a receiver is just repossession by another name. -
on 12 August 2009
The return of the first-time buyer?
New figures suggest things are starting to get a little better for the first-time buyer. -
on 07 August 2009
Why you always NEED a credit card
A new report has reinforced just how essential having a decent bit of plastic in your wallet really is. -
on 06 August 2009
The worrying growth of mortgage fraud
The FSA, for once, is doing the right thing by being tough on those found to be breaking the rules. -
on 31 July 2009
OFT showing its teeth on sale and rent back
It’s a positive sign that the Office of Fair Trading is tackling the misleading claims made by sale and rent back firms. -
on 30 July 2009
Get a Helping Hand after making an insurance claim
One insurer deserves a pat on the back for giving its policyholders more than just their money. -
on 23 July 2009
Three free ways to keep up with the Ashes!
This Ashes series looks like going right to the wire, but being there is not the only way you can keep up to date with what’s happening in the cricket. -
on 20 July 2009
Don’t be a walkover with your wedding budget!
Firms queue up to part you from your cash when it comes to organising a wedding. Don’t be talked into the pointless excesses they’ll try to sell you! -
on 14 July 2009
Why the Government’s mortgage plan was doomed to fail
The Government has been given a well deserved kicking for its daft plans to get lenders active again. -
on 09 July 2009
Happiness returning to the housing market
Housing market professionals are rediscovering their smiles, but is their confidence premature? -
on 08 July 2009
Download music for free!
The Comes with Music service from Nokia and Orange might just change your life. -
on 02 July 2009
ID cards an expensive farce
We will still face a massive bill for identity cards, despite the Government’s latest U-turn. -
on 29 June 2009
Texting bank balances is a step too far
Getting your bank balance sent to you by text is not progress, it’s madness. -
on 25 June 2009
Benefits system in dire need of shake up
As figures show that more than £10bn in benefits go unclaimed, the time is right to sort out the benefits system. -
on 23 June 2009
Can MPs get on with governing now, please?
Despite the election of a new speaker, MPs are still moaning. Get on with your jobs for goodness sake! -
on 22 June 2009
Get football back on free TV!
With Setanta on the brink of going bust, now is the time to get football back on terrestrial television. -
on 18 June 2009
Sort your act out First Direct
When I apply for a new current account, that’s all I want – don’t try to trick me into taking a credit card as well. -
on 16 June 2009
Leave the licence fee alone!
The Government looks likely to propose changes to the licence fee which will see commercial broadcasters get a slice, at the expense of the BBC, but that would be a terrible mistake. -
on 11 June 2009
What’s in a name?
As Cheltenham & Gloucester branches bite the bullet, should we mourn the passing of yet another traditional British brand? -
on 09 June 2009
A good time to buy a football club?
Recession or not, football clubs still seem to provide an attractive investment. -
on 04 June 2009
Signs point the way to housing recovery
There’s a new way to gauge the state of the property market, and it comes right from the coalface. -
on 03 June 2009
It’s good to talk about money
Young people and pensions – it’s not going well is it? -
on 27 May 2009
No expenses spared
Will the MP expenses crisis ever end?
About this blog
John Fitzsimons gives his views on property, politics and the Premier League.