Are you paying too much for you insurances????

20 May, 2010

People often think that, once they have their mortgage and life insurance inplace, that is it. A simple review lasting 30 minutes can put most people back on track and in many cases reduce their monthly premiums.

Some people choose to keep their premiums the same, but add extra benefits.

Benefits could mean extra cover for larger pay outs, a wider array of cover e.g. Critical illness, family income protection, etc .

"All our reviews are totally free, we do not charge a penny." Jucon Kalvin CeMAP.

Free Mortgage & Protection Reviews

20 May, 2010

The quickest way, fill out your basic details on our web-site, and then we will come back to you, with the five best priced products, on standard terms.

However this is how most companies attract their customers, but in reality, the best method is to make an appointment (30 mins) and get a full taylor made product to suit you, your family and your home.

This can be done by contacting us and arranging a suitable time.

In times like these we all need to be proactive and stay ahead of the game. Save money, or let your money do more for you.

House prices up 8.4%

28 July 2010

The June data from Land Registry's flagship House Price Index shows an annual price increase of 8.4 per cent.

This is the eighth month in a row in which the annual figure has been positive and takes the average property value in England and Wales to £166,072. The monthly change from May to June is an increase of 0.1 per cent.

House prices are now around the same levels as they were in the summer of 2006. All regions in England and Wales experienced increases in their average property values over the last 12 months. The region with the highest annual price change is London with an increase of 12.2 per cent. The region with the smallest annual price rise is the North East with a movement of 0.7 per cent.

Wales experienced the greatest monthly rise with a movement of 2.9 per cent. The North East region experienced the most significant monthly price fall with a movement of -1.3 per cent. The most up-to-date figures available show that during April 2010, the number of completed house sales in England and Wales rose by 26 per cent to 49,323 from 39,280 in April 2009.

NAEA Cheif Executive, Peter Bolton-King, comments:

"The latest Land Registry statistics show that the housing market is slowly recovering. This is to be welcomed, but many people are still excluded from owning a home because lending remains unfairly restricted.

"There are enormous regional differences in house prices and in the state of the housing market recovery generally. Buyers, especially first time buyers, are confused and should take advice from professional NAEA members on their local market."

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist said:

"The data suggests house prices on completed sales in England and Wales edged up a further 0.1 per cent in June. As a result, house prices on this measure are just 9.5 per cent away from their previous high, recorded in November 2007.

"The strongest monthly gain in June was in Wales but London continues to post the highest year-on-year increase (12.2 per cent). The Welsh data is not only out of line with recent Land Registry figures (from the country) but also with the results of the RICS Housing Survey (which show a much more subdued picture) making us question the sustainability of this rise in prices.

"More generally, most RICS indicators suggest that prices across England and Wales could slip back a little during the second half of the year. London may be the exception to this.

"The more worrying element of the Land Registry data is the continuing weakness in transaction activity. While the latest numbers only refer to April, they show completed sales in England and Wales at less than 50,000.

"Moreover, subsequent figures on mortgage approvals suggest that this number is unlikely to pick-up anytime soon. With the average number of monthly transactions prior to onset of the credit crunch roughly double this figure, it is clear mobility has been impacted and many people who wish to take their first step on the property ladder or move home have been unable to do so."

Metro Bank opens for business‎

29 July 2010

The British banking revolution begins today with the opening of the UK's first High Street bank for over 100 years. Metro Bank opened its doors to retail and business customers at 8am today.

The historic launch of Metro Bank will transform the face of British banking. Metro Bank will adopt a retail store model offering unparalleled service and convenience, a sharp contrast to the conventional UK bank branch operation.

Open seven days a week from early to late, Metro Bank, like the great retailers, will put the customer at the heart of its proposition.

Metro Bank will first open with stores in London; One Southampton Row, Holborn followed by Cromwell Road, Earls Court a month later. A further 10 stores are planned in Greater London over the next two years as part of a 200+ store expansion plan.

Metro Bank will serve the banking needs of the retail and business communities. Metro Bank Business Banking will offer personalised business banking services including credit and cash management with local managers making local loans.

Craig Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer at Metro Bank, said:

“Metro Bank will stand out from other High Street banks by providing unparalleled service, convenience, and value for money. We know that UK banking customers are looking for a new, convenient way of banking with easy to understand products and that's what we will offer. We will deliver a service that exceeds expectations with the customer at the heart of everything we do.

“People's lives have changed, great retailers have moved with them and banking should reflect that, so Metro Bank will be where customers work, where they live and where they shop at weekends. We know that customers want the ability to bank when they want, where they want and how they want – in store, on the phone or online. Metro Bank is going to change the face of UK banking for good, starting today.”

Metro Bank will differentiate itself from other High Street banks by offering extended opening hours with stores open seven days a week for retail and business customers (8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday), every day of the year apart from Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Customers will also be able to open accounts with a rapid opening procedure and instant issuance of permanent debit and credit cards within 15 minutes (subject to acceptance), as well as free coin counting at every store, for customers and non-customers alike, with the Metro Bank Magic Money Machine.

Anthony Thomson, Chairman at Metro Bank, said:

“Metro Bank will offer customers a great retail experience, and we want to make banking fun for everyone. We believe customers simply want a better experience from their bank, the kind they typically get from a great retailer and that's what we intend to give them. The British public deserves a better banking experience.”

Metro Bank will offer customers a simple product range suitable for everyone, and will be competitive with the products that the High Street banks currently offer.

Its product range includes:

- Current accounts

- Cash account

- Savings accounts (Instant access savings, ISAs, Fixed term savings and Young savers)

- Credit card

- Loans

- Mortgages