NatWest and RBS have increased the interest-free balance transfer period on their platinum credit cards to 16 months.

The Natwest Platinum credit card and the RBS Platinum credit card now offer 16 months of zero per cent interest on balance transfers from the account being opened, up from the previous offer of 15 months.

They also have an interest-free introductory offer on purchases for three months from the credit card account being opened.

Commenting on the improved offer, Hugh Chater, director of Everyday Banking at NatWest and RBS said: “Our platinum card is by far the most popular credit card we provide, and we wanted to make it even more competitive by extending the balance transfer window.

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A new credit card from Halifax could help holidaymakers save money while they are on their travels.

The firm’s Clarity card will not charge a foreign exchange fee on any transaction or a cash withdrawal fee when used abroad, meaning savings for anyone leaving British shores.

Other benefits of the card include no balance transfer fee and no annual fee, while a rate of 12.9 per cent APR applies to all transactions including purchases, balance transfers and cash withdrawals.

Mark Powys of Halifax Credit Cards said: “Our research shows that three quarters of holidaymakers would be more likely to use a credit card abroad if they knew they wouldn’t incur any fees.

“The Halifax Clarity card is the best value option for customers planning their holiday budget, and with no cash fees and a single low rate however you use the card it’s a winner at home too.”

Another way in which holidaymakers can save money is to use prepaid cards, which not only provide an alternative to travellers’ cheques, but can also help to cut costs on budget airline flights . Read full article…

Financial reform bill brings sweeping changes for consumers.

Consumers that have found themselves deeply in debt thanks to the recession are about to receive some help from the federal government.

Thanks to the new financial reform bill, which passed the Senate with a 60-39 vote and only awaits the signature of President Barack Obama to make it law, Americans are going to get more safety from the predatory practices of lenders in the form of a new body which will oversee these banks.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which will operate as part of the Federal Reserve System, will have unprecedented power to govern the rates and fees lenders issue on everything from credit cards to mortgages. Read full article…

Four banks currently being sued as part of a huge class action to recover alleged unfair fees could face further legal action if they do not supply information vital to the case by the end of the week.

Commonwealth Bank and its subsidiary BankWest, ANZ and the Bank of Queensland have all been served notice to comply with law firm Maurice Blackburn’s May 31st written request by Friday (July 16th) or face action in the Federal Court, the Herald Sun reported.

“We intend to institute proceedings promptly unless we get satisfactory responses by the end of the week,” said Andrew Watson, principal of Maurice Blackburn.

The law firm is currently targeting 12 banks on behalf of litigation funders IMF Australia and Financial Redress for what they argue are excessive punitive fees on transaction and credit card accounts since 2004.

Maurice Blackburn is aiming to launch the first of several class actions against individual banks in six weeks but is currently assessing which actions should be pursued against specific banks. T Read full article…

I recently took a closer look at the so-called “Fico Score Simulator” offered up by Fico, founder of the all-knowing and all-powerful Fico score.

The tool essentially allows consumers to determine which actions will improve their credit score the most, instead of simply guessing.

You can gain access to the Fico Score Simulator if you purchase your credit report from the company, but they offer a sample to give us some insight.

Their sample went with a base 707 Fico score, which I consider “good credit” in my credit score range.

But suppose you needed that score to be higher to qualify for a mortgage or obtain auto loan financing.

Well, the Fico Score Simulator says your best course of action would be to pay down 90-100% of your credit card balances over the next 24 months to raise your credit score to between 757-777.

This action would help you in two ways – you’d have lower credit utilization and deeper credit history on the associated account(s).

But two years is a long time to wait for such an improvement. The simulat

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