banking

Mastercard and NatWest Launch UK Virtual Cards

Mastercard and NatWest have partnered in 2026 to launch a mobile virtual card offering for UK companies and their employees. Virtual cards generate card numbers digitally for business spending, replacing shared physical cards and cutting expense reconciliation work.

20 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Chase Protect Launch: £12.50 Insurance Bundle in App

Chase has launched its first UK insurance product, Chase Protect, at £12.50 a month. The bundle covers worldwide travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and car breakdown cover, with purchase and claims handled entirely through the Chase banking app.

20 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

What Is Money Muling? Warning Signs and How to Avoid It

Money muling is moving stolen money through your own bank account, and it's illegal even if you didn't know. Here are the warning signs, how criminals recruit, and what to do if you're approached.

17 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Money Muling: Only 18% of Britons Can Spot It as Illegal

Home Office research published 16 July 2026 found only 18% of UK adults can correctly identify money muling as illegal. Here is what the research found and who is most at risk.

17 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

FlexPlus vs Ultimate Reward: Packaged Account Phone Insurance

Nationwide FlexPlus at £13 a month covers all family phones. Halifax Ultimate Reward at £17 a month bundles travel and breakdown cover too. Both can beat separate policies for households with two or more handsets.

12 Jul 2026 · 10 min read

Sainsbury's Money launches: your bank is no longer a bank

Sainsbury's Bank has ceased to be PRA-authorised and no longer holds banking permissions. The new Sainsbury's Money brand distributes products from partners instead: NatWest for credit cards and savings, LV=/Allianz for car and home insurance.

10 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Do Sole Traders Need a Business Bank Account? UK Rules Explained

UK sole traders aren't legally required to have a business bank account, but most banks' own terms prohibit business use of personal accounts, and FSCS protection works differently than many assume.

7 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Basic Bank Accounts UK: FCA Finds a Third of Experiences Poor, Nine Banks Ordered to Improve

The FCA found only 28% of basic bank account interactions were rated good or very good in a 298-case mystery shop, with 34% poor or very poor. Nine banks have agreed improvement plans, and the Breaking the Cycle pilot is expanding to five more lenders.

7 Jul 2026 · 9 min read

Business Credit Score UK 2026: How It Works, What Affects It and How to Improve It

A business credit score determines whether lenders, suppliers and landlords extend credit. This guide covers how UK business credit scores work, which agencies score businesses, and how to improve your rating.

29 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Working Capital Finance UK 2026: Options, Costs and When to Use Each

Working capital finance covers the gap between money going out and money coming in. This guide compares overdrafts, revolving credit, invoice finance, merchant cash advance and business loans using UK primary source data.

29 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Business Loan UK 2026: How They Work, What They Cost and How to Compare

UK business loans in 2026: rates from 6.9% APR, amounts from £1,000 to £5 million, terms from 1 month to 25 years. This guide covers types, costs, eligibility and how to compare lenders using primary sources.

29 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Revolut Alternatives UK (6 Compared)

Six Revolut alternatives compared: Monzo, Starling, Chase UK, Kroo, Wise and Tide. Four are full UK banks with FSCS protection up to £120,000 per person; Wise and Tide safeguard funds under FCA e-money rules. Fees, overseas spending, CASS switching and business accounts compared.

21 Jul 2026 · 8 min read

Best Ways to Borrow £10,000 UK 2026: Personal Loans, 0% Cards and Alternatives

Last reviewed: June 2026 Best ways to borrow £10,000 UK -- June 2026 * Cheapest option -- personal loan: From 5.9% APR representative.

27 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Cash ISA for Over 60s UK: Best Rates and How They Work in 2026

Last reviewed: June 2026 Best cash ISA rates for over 60s -- June 2026 * Best easy-access cash ISA: Trading 212 -- 4.51%

27 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Asset Finance Calculator UK: Monthly Payments, Total Cost and Tax Savings Explained

Calculate UK asset finance payments. £50K at 8% APR over 5 years is approximately £912 per month. Compare Total Cost of Finance, not just monthly payment.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

How to Offer Finance to Customers UK: FCA Rules, Appointed Reps and BNPL 2026

Offering finance to UK customers requires FCA authorisation or appointed representative status. BNPL is regulated from 15 July 2026.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Plant and Machinery Depreciation UK: Capital Allowances, AIA and WDA Explained

Plant depreciation differs for accounts and tax. AIA gives 100% first-year relief up to £1m. WDA applies at 18% main pool or 6% special rate.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Used Plant and Machinery UK: Buying, Finance and Tax Treatment Guide

Used plant saves 40-70% versus new and still qualifies for AIA. Finance available for machines up to 15 years old. Same tax rules as new plant.

26 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Commercial Vehicle Loan UK: HGV Finance, Trucks and Specialist Vehicle Funding

Commercial vehicle loans cover HGVs, trucks and specialist vehicles. AIA up to £1m available. FLA reports 15% fall in HGV finance in Jan 2026.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Business Van Finance UK: AIA, Tax Treatment and How to Finance a Work Van

Vans qualify for AIA up to £1m, unlike cars. No 15% contract hire disallowance. Electric vans have a £0 BiK rate for 2026/27.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Business Car Finance UK: Hire Purchase, Contract Hire and Tax Treatment Explained

Business car finance options include contract hire, finance lease and HP. EVs qualify for 100% first-year allowance. Cars cannot claim AIA.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Excavator Finance UK: Hire Purchase and Lease Options for Construction Plant

Finance an excavator from £15,000 to £500,000+ on hire purchase or finance lease. High approval rates for construction plant. Rates from 5% APR.

26 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Business Equipment Finance UK: How to Fund Machinery, Technology and Tools

Business equipment finance lets UK companies acquire machinery without upfront payment. 96% FLA approval rate. AIA up to £1m under hire purchase.

26 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

How Does Asset Finance Work in the UK? Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

Asset finance lets businesses acquire equipment without upfront cost. Lender buys the asset, business makes monthly payments. 96% FLA approval rate.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Asset Finance Rates UK: What to Expect and How to Get the Best Deal (2026)

UK asset finance rates range from 4.5% to 25% APR depending on asset type and credit. BoE base rate is 4.25% (June 2026). Compare on APR.

26 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Asset Finance Bad Credit UK: Lenders, Approval Tips and What to Expect

Asset finance is available with bad credit because the asset acts as security. FLA reports 96% approval rate. Specialist lenders consider CCJs.

26 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Hire Purchase vs Finance Lease UK: Tax Treatment, Key Differences and Which to Choose

Hire purchase transfers ownership at end of term; finance lease keeps it with the lender. HP gives AIA and capital allowances up to £1m.

26 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

Before You Close a Bank Account: What Stays Linked and What Does Not

Closing a bank account does not automatically cancel direct debits, redirect payments or close linked products such as savings accounts or loans. A closed

25 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Before You Open a UK Bank Account as a Migrant: Right to Bank Rules

Banks must offer a basic bank account to anyone who is legally resident in the UK, regardless of immigration status or credit history. If a mainstream acco

25 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Before You Use an Overdraft: Why the New Fee Rules Still Catch People Out

FCA rules since 2020 require banks to charge a simple annual interest rate on overdrafts rather than daily fees. Rates are typically 19-40% EAR. An overdra

25 Jun 2026 · 3 min read