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BBC Radio 4's Money Box
On Radio 4 and online
Saturday 14 October 1204 BST
Sunday 15 October 2102 BST
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The government has rejected a call from the high street banks for better regulation of firms that sell a controversial debt solution.
Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) are often sold to people with debt problems as an alternative to bankruptcy.
IVAs allow people to pay a percentage of their debt over a fixed period of time with the rest written off.
But there have been growing concerns from lenders and debt advice charities about the way they have been marketed.
On Saturday's Money Box we spoke to Jon Bartman of IVA provider Money Debt and Credit and Eric Leenders of the British Bankers' Association.
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NI banks
Northern Bank is one of Northern Ireland's "big four" banks
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Bank customers in Northern Ireland pay higher charges and earn less interest than they would in a more competitive environment, the Competition Commission has found.
It said unclear and complex charges by the big four banks plus a reluctance amongst customers to switch providers have restricted competition.
The investigation was prompted by a "super complaint" lodged by the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland back in February 2005.
We spoke to Christopher Clarke of the Competition Commission and Rosamond Bennet of Northern Bank.
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Shredding confidential information
Shredding personal information reduces the risk of identity theft
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We are all encouraged to take care with any documents which contain our financial or personal details. But are banks and other companies doing the same?
The Information Commissioner is investigating how customers' personal information was found in bins outside a post office and three banks in Southampton.
Bob Howard reported on whether there are adequate guidelines in place to make companies protect our information.
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Savings war?
We speak to Mr Sismey-Durrant about the new Icesave product
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A new online savings account offering a market-leading interest rate of 5.2% looks set to shake up the UK market.
The Icesave account is the first of a number of new products to be launched by Landsbanki, a major Icelandic financial institution.
It promises to beat the Bank of England base rate by 0.25% until 1 October 2009 but customers must keep at least £250 in the account.
We spoke to Mark Sismey-Durrant, managing director of Icesave, and we rounded up the other best-buys including accounts with ICICI; Sainsbury's Bank; Birmingham Midshires; ING Direct; Direct Line; Virgin and Kent Reliance Building Society.
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Housing benefit for the under 25s
The charities say the rule brings debt and eviction to some people
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A housing benefit rule which brings hardship and homelessness to some young people should be abolished, a group of charities has said.
Under the single room rent restriction, under 25s are only entitled to the average local rent for shared accommodation.
But the charities say of a lack of shared or affordable housing means many young people struggle to pay their rent in full.
We heard from affected tenants and spoke to Liz Phelps of Citizens Advice, one of the charities calling for a change in the law.
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OTHER NEWS
More retailers to refuse cheques
From Tuesday, customers will not be able to pay by cheque in Next stores, apparently to allow a "faster and more efficient till point service".
Meanwhile WH Smith has confirmed it is currently running a no-cheque pilot in some stores. It will decide whether or not to expand that trail at the end of this month.
Unclaimed Standard Life shares
Standard Life has updated its website following a recent Money Box interview which highlighted the lack of clear online guidance for what a customer should do if they believed they were eligible for shares.
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Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Jennifer Clarke
Reporter: Bob Howard
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