BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 15 May, 2004, at 1204 BST.
The programme was repeated on Sunday, 16 May 2004, at 2102 BST.
High Street bank Abbey has been hit by severe administrative delays which are impacting on applications for its market-leading postal ISA.
The bank has apologised for the backlog, and said that any interest would be backdated to when the application form is stamped.
Abbey Director of Savings and Investment Paul Masters joined us to explain what went wrong.
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Pension payment plan concession
The government has announced a concession which will allow "vulnerable" people to receive their pension by cheque, rather than direct into an account.
The government had wanted its Direct Payment Scheme to become universal, but pensioner groups had argued that some older people do not have - or want - bank accounts.
Weekly cheque payments to some older people will be available from October; and can either be cashed at the Post Office or paid into a bank account.
We were joined by Sally West of Age Concern to discuss the details, and put some concerns to Chris Pond of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Further information:
Cardholders unable to shop online
Thousands of people who can only get a basic bank account are finding they are unable to use their cards to buy goods at some of the biggest High Street online stores.
Chris A'Court has been investigating.
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Home reversions to be regulated
The government has announced that home reversion schemes - which allow people to unlock equity in their homes - are to be regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Consumer groups have welcomed the move as they have criticised the schemes as being of poor value.
The biggest schemes are members of the trade body SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans). We asked its Chairman Jon King for his reaction to the news.
And we spoke to Colin Taylor of Key Retirement Solutions, an independent financial adviser which specialises in equity release.
Further information:
Petrol prices
With fears of soaring petrol prices, Money Box has discovered a new website which tells you where to find the cheapest petrol in your postcode. You can also compare the cost to the national average.
Producer: Jennifer Clarke
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Chris A'Court
Web Producer: Nathalie Knowles
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