News
Rate arrears reach record levels
30 July 2010
Rate arrears in Northern Ireland have reached record levels of more than £157m. The economic downturn has made it even more difficult to recovery these arrears during the usual in year policy (over 10 months)
Financial Help with Mortgage Repayments
26 July 2010
If you are struggling with your mortgage repayments they are a number of schemes and benefits available to assist people who are on low incomes and struggling financially.
High-cost credit review published by OFT
19 July 2010
The OFT published a report on 15th June 2010 of its review of the £7.5 billion high-cost credit sector.
Significant improvements in unarranged overdrafts
02 July 2010
The banking industry has made significant improvements to unarranged overdrafts which are expected to take place over the next two year. These changes are a result of an Office of Fair Trading study in 2008 after it identified major problems such as difficulties switching accounts, that costs were not transparent and the way that unarranged overdrafts function.
Belfast money lender fined for aggressive behaviour
02 July 2010
A Belfast doorstep lender was fined a total of £200 at Belfast Magistrates' Court on 29th June.
The case was brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment against Skyline Superstore Limited, Unit 7, 6-16 Duncrue Crescent, Belfast. Skyline Superstores Ltd pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in an aggressive commercial practice under the The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Avoid Tax Credit Overpayments
30 June 2010
Anyone who receives Tax Credit - Child and Working tax elements must have their renewal or declaration form sent back by 31st July 2010.
Bank Accounts & Debt
25 June 2010
If you owe money to a bank or building society and also bank with them you are at risk of them off setting the debt.
Advice4debtNI and Northern Ireland Housing Executive working in partnership.
15 June 2010
Advice4debtNI and Northern Ireland Housing Executive working in partnership to assist their tenants who are experiencing financial difficulty.
Bankruptcy figures for January - March 2010
14 June 2010
The Court Service of NI issued figures on 21st May 2010 of number of bankruptcy's for the period January –March 2010.
From the 1st November 2009 the Banking Code is replaced by The Lending Code
10 June 2010
From 1st November 2009 the Banking code is replaced by The Lending Code. This has been issued by The Lending Standards Board, an independent body which looks after the interests of customers by monitoring the actions of lenders.
