In 2007 approximately 18,000 unsecured personal loans were taken out to pay for school fees, with a total value of around GBP165 million according to Sainsburys Bank.
Looking at the historical data Sainsburys Bank also found that over GBP2 billion extra was spent on school fees in 2006 compared with just 2 years previously. This is a massive additional amount to cover and explains the increasing use of unsecured personal loans and other forms of borrowing to fund childrens educations.
Looking ahead Sainsburys Bank also expect the trend to continue. With a rising cost of living, more children enjoying private education and also the fact that school fees themselves rise at levels well above the rate of inflation they are predicting more borrowing.
In order to try and balance their accounts Barclays are looking to raise in the region of GBP4 billion from external investors. This is to avoid using a rights issue which could seriously affect their share price.
Barclays Bank currently has one of the lowest capital reserves figures in the industry and will certainly face stiff criticism if this is not being seen to be addressed. Criticism tends to equal falling share prices and the bank do not want to see their position further weakened by such activity.
The bank has many facets to its business, with Barclays Insurance, stockbrokers and high street banking just a number of the best known. There is no question that they are operating well but in the current economic climate and with other financial institutions having suffered already it is important that Barclays can source this additional funding.
According to the latest survey by Lloyds TSB confidence in job prospects and safety of employment are way down compared with just a year ago.
Around 35 percent of those asked by Lloyds TSB felt that their job was less secure now than it was last year. One in ten thought their prospects were actually better now than in 2007, though this figure is 40 percent down on last year, reflecting the changing attitudes of the nation.
Added to this downbeat view was the fact that there is also an expectation of increased inflation, with costs already soaring. The people of Britain would really like to say things are looking better but they are thwarted at every turn by the look of this Lloyds TSB information.
