The Nationwide Building Society, in its latest results for July, has found that 20 percent of the adult population are not putting any savings aside.
They also found that the number of people saving on a regular basis also fell, down to 46 percent from 54 percent just three months ago. Two thirds of people believe they should be saving according to the Nationwide Building Society, though the key, as with most things, is to do something about it.
A spokesman from the Nationwide Building Society said that consumers appeared to be feeling the pressure being put on them by rising prices but also asked them to at least look at savings vehicles such as ISAs and Childrens Trust Funds. These are tax efficient and so can make a big difference.
Having looked at the savings habits of the nation the Halifax can now highlight which parts of the country save the most, and the least.
Top of the Halifax savings league is London, with an average savings balance of over GBP14,200. In second place was South Buckinghamshire, followed by Shrewsbury to make up the top 3 saving locations. The top performing savers outside the south of England can be found in Derbyshire, having an average savings pot of just over GBP11,600.
A spokesman from the Halifax was pleased to see how good the average figures were but did hope that those without such levels of savings would aim to increase the amount they save.
Lloyds TSB will be striving to reunite around GBP69 million with its owners, spread over 120,000 savings accounts that are laying dormant.
The bank will be working on accounts with more than GBP100 in them and will be using a specialist search company to locate the account holders and reacquaint them with their funds. The average amount per person will be in the region of GBP575 so it is a very worthwhile exercise and one that the recipients of the money are sure to appreciate said a Lloyds TSB spokesman.
These accounts appear to have been forgotten by their owners, hence the use of the search company. Lloyds TSB would not mind account holders getting in touch with them directly though, so if you think you have a dormant Lloyds TSB savings account get in touch with them and see if there is a windfall waiting for you.
