Barclays Bank current account customers have been made aware of some changes to the bank accounts, including an overdraft service and some new accounts.
The new overdraft service is called Personal Reserve and replaces the existing unauthorised overdraft facility. An annual fee of GBP22 provides access to an additional overdraft for up to five days. This can be used as a safety net for Barclays Bank customers who go over their normal limit, protecting them from additional bank charges.
In addition five new Barclays current accounts have been introduced, offering alternatives from free in credit accounts to annual fee accounts with extra services and interest free overdraft options. The choice provided for the customer is growing explained a Barclays spokesman.
Citibank has revealed that it intends to reduce its portfolio having suffered at the hands of the sub prime lending difficulties in the USA.
Of all the financial institutions to suffer over the American mortgage problems Citibank felt the pain more than any other. The sub prime area of lending is one that they were heavily involved in. Due to this they are to sell around 20 percent of their assets over the next couple of years, worth around USD400 billion.
They have already announced the areas of business where the cuts will be made, namely consumer banking and securities banking. Citibank has stated it has an objective of generating revenue growth of 10 percent within 36 months, and these cuts are part of their plan. By freeing up resources they can focus more on the areas where growth can be achieved whilst reducing their exposure to potentially difficult markets.
According to a Natwest Bank survey the people of Manchester are the biggest spenders in the UK, with the typical household spending GBP26,000 each year.
This spending figure is a full GBP2,000 more than the capital city, London, which will come as a big surprise to many. What may come as an even bigger surprise is that Manchester is also a great city for saving according to the Natwest Bank survey, with a higher than the national average 53 percent of Manchester residents putting money aside.
A spokesman from the Natwest Bank was pleased to see Manchester setting such a good example with their levels of savings, especially considering their spending habits. They should be seen as a shining example to others said the spokesman.
