Money - Financial & Business News, Stocks | This is Money (2024)

Simon Lambert and Matt Conradi, of Netwealth, discuss what investors can do to make the most of the tax-free investing options that they have now - and what they should do before the end of the tax year. Matt shares his thoughts on how to pick the investments, why fees matter and how he helps clients work out a financial plan.

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I trust Nationwide will soon be putting up similar signs in towns where it is now the last 'bank' standing. According to long-standing community bank campaigner Derek French, Windsor is one of 37 largish towns (with populations more than 15,000) where Nationwide is the only 'bank' present. Bizarrely, says French, these 37 towns should all qualify for a banking hub (a community bank funded by all the big banking brands). But because Nationwide is still in town, the banks won't fund them. Shameful.

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Millions of mortgage borrowers will continue to face a financial shock over the coming years as they continue to drop off cheaper fixed rate deals. This year alone, it is estimated that 1.6 million households are due to remortgage many of whom will be coming off rates of 2 per cent or less. This pain is expected to continue in 2025 with mortgage rates unlikely to fall drastically from where they are now.

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Jeremy Hunt bounced around delivering his Budget proudly declaring his commitment to tax cuts and supporting working families. But you don't need to be a financial expert to know that the Chancellor's version of events isn't quite the whole story. On this week's Budget special This is Money podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at the winners and losers and go searching for the devils in the detail.

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Our son has had a letter from a debt collecting company saying he has an outstanding fine from nonpayment of emission zone. Neither my son or his wife have ever been to London in the car and its clearly not theirs as it has a sunroof and it's a car, not an estate like his. What can he do to get his money back?

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Nationwide Building Society has unveiled a £2.9billion deal to buy Virgin Money. The deal will create create the second-biggest UK banking entity after Lloyd's. Here is everything you need to know about what the deal means for you.

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I am a UK national but have lived in France since 1986.I've banked with Barclays since 1965, but in late 2022 my cheques stopped being honoured. I was later told I could no longer keep my account due to the Brexit rule changes, and the account was closed. My problem is that getting the £15,000 I held with Barclays transferred to my French bank has been a nightmare.It has now been 10 months and my money is still stuck in a 'holding account' which I can't access. I have filled out all the required forms - some even multiple times. Recently I got a call from the Barclays complaints department and the person told me she couldn't see or find an account for me at Barclays at all - not even a holding account.This is quite concerning. Where is my money?

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The Chancellor presented himself with a golden opportunity in the Budget to sort out the illogical mess our tax system has got into. But having come tantalisingly close to looking like he would hit the back of the net, Jeremy Hunt chose not to shoot for goal and instead passed the ball to the opposition. And so, after what may be the final Budget before an election, the Conservative Chancellor has still left us with 60% marginal tax rates.

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The Office for Budget Responsibility has reported that overseas sales of services - such as management consulting, advertising, and research and development - have grown faster than in any other major economy. They are now 12 per cent higher than in 2019, outstripping average growth of 9 per cent in other G7 countries. The news comes as debate rages over the effects of Britain leaving the EU.

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Savers can beat the top easy-access deal as well as short and longer-term fixed-rate deals by opening an account with savings platform Raisin. It is once again offering new customers a sign up bonus - but this time, exclusively to our readers.

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Close to nine in ten adults in the UK go to Amazon for their online shopping, buying everything from balloons to bicycles, screws to sofas. But, although millions default to using it out of convenience and the expectation it offers bargains, it does not always have the best prices, a Money Mail investigation has found.

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The property is among the most viewed homes for sale on Rightmove last month, and boasts a 12th century motte, a Norman keep and a round tower. The castle is currently operated as a hotel, hosting weddings, sporting events and business conferences. And during the summer months, the castle holds a variety of special events, including open-air theatre and battle re-enactments.

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Considering equity release? A drawdown plan could give you regular income - we explain the pros and cons

Formula One legend Jody Scheckter's renowned car collection is up for auction - and sensationally it includes his World Championship-winning Ferrari. In a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an F1 fan with deep pockets to acquire a championship car direct from the driver, the 1979 Ferrari 312 T4 is being offered by the South African 'unsung hero of F1' via RM Sotheby's May sale in Monaco.

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The price of gold reached a record high as hopes mount for a US rate cut this summer, following weaker-than-expected economic data published last week. The price of the precious metal surged to $2,110 (£1,661.73) an ounce in the spot market, before falling back to $2,108, after steady increases over the past few weeks. We look at what's behind the recent surge in the price of gold and how investors can get exposure to it.

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I was thinking of taking £50,000 out of the flat I own to put down as a deposit towards a 100,000 house I would buy. This would leave me with a mortgage of say £50,000. Plus the £50,000 borrowed on a buy-to-let mortgage I would be taking out on my flat. But the mortgage rates I have been offered are very high. Should I wait for rates to fall or for when I am able to buy with cash?

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I bank with Nationwide and have a current account and an Isa. I live full time in Cyprus, but Nationwide has blocked me from transferring funds to my Isa as I do not have an address in the UK. Why am I not able to move these funds that have not left the UK?

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Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and a variety of charges can leave investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.