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Last Updated: Friday, 21 April 2006, 13:21 GMT 14:21 UK
Standard Life flotation
Sandy Crombie, Standard Life
BBC Radio 4's Money Box
Saturday 22 April, 1204 BST
Sunday 23 April, 2102 BST
On Radio 4 and online

Europe's biggest mutual insurer has begun lobbying its 2.4 million members to approve flotation on the stock market.

Standard Life's senior managers are seeking to persuade policyholders that it is the only way to secure its long-term financial health.

But many policyholders - who stand to receive windfalls if the bid is approved - are angry, blaming poor management for the firm's predicament.

We spoke to a range of policyholders including Mike Hogan, who tried to get elected to the mutual's board to voice his concerns about the flotation.

And we were also joined by Standard Life chief executive Sandy Crombie.

Further information:


Dynamic currency

A young women paying for goods with a card
Customers are supposed to be given a choice as they pay
People using their credit cards abroad are increasingly losing money as retailers convert their purchases into pounds rather than record them in the local currency.

The practice is now common in Spain, France and Italy but it can happen in other countries too.

Holders of any type of credit card need to be watchful but people who have the Nationwide Visa credit card, which has always been one of the best to use abroad, are getting particularly angry about it.

Further information:


Financial inclusion

People at cash machines
The government wants to improve access to financial services
A new campaign to highlight the problems of people without access to mainstream financial products has been announced by the government.

Millions of low-income households have difficulty obtaining affordable credit and even bank accounts.

A campaign to raise awareness of the issues among intermediary groups like charities and housing associations was announced at an event at Westminster this week.

Jennifer Clarke reported from the launch.

Further information:


Cash Isas

£10 notes
Savers can invest £3,000 tax-free in a mini-cash Isa each year
Two weeks into the new tax year and there is a new £3,000 allowance to be invested in tax-free cash savings accounts (Isas).

Money Box looked at some of the best offers and found that when transferring an existing Isa balance, the deals may not be as good as they seem.

Further information:


Pensions legal challenge

Ann Abraham's investigation lasted for 16 months
Eighty five thousand workers who have lost their company pensions are taking their case to Europe.

Pensions consultant Ros Altmann, acting on behalf of the workers, will be seeking a judicial review of the government's refusal to honour the Financial Ombudsman's findings at the European Parliament Petitions Commission.

Further information:


Producer: Louise Greenwood
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Jennifer Clarke and Sonia Rothwell



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