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Saturday, 7 April 2007, 13:33 GMT 14:33 UK

Bank charges challenge

BBC Radio 4's Money Box
Saturday 7 April at 1204 BST on Radio 4 and Online
Stacks of pound coins

A lawyer is engaged in a battle to force a court decision on whether bank penalty charges are unlawful.

He is frustrated that banks prefer to pay back the charges to customers who complain rather than go to court.

Next week he will attempt to persuade a judge that banks should be forced to explain their charging structure once and for all.

We spoke to lawyer Tom Brennan and Mark Gander of the Consumer Action Group.

Further information:


Loan sharks

A poster from the campaign

Some people on low incomes find it difficult to borrow from banks and turn instead to loan sharks.

These are illegal lenders who charge exorbitant rates of interest and often turn violent when payments are missed.

A new campaign to fight this type of crime is being rolled out across the country, as Bob Howard reported.

Further information:


Financial scandal averted?

Man entering doors at FSA headquarters

A financial scandal, similar to the one involving 'split cap' investment trusts, may have been averted.

The Association of Investment Companies and some MPs feared that the Financial Service Authority was putting smaller investors at risk by allowing foreign investment companies a much lighter regulation than the tough rules it imposed on UK based firms, but this week the FSA said it would not proceed in the way it had planned.

We heard from FSA managing director Hector Sants and John Howard, Chairman of the Financial Services Consumer Panel.

Further information:


Blocked out

Red and green peppers Some people on lower incomes are still finding they are unable to buy groceries using the online services of some major supermarkets.

Why are some stores still refusing to let them shop - three years after Money Box first highlighted problems for people with a basic bank account and card? Chris A'Court investigated.

Further information:


BBC Radio 4's Money Box was broadcast on Saturday, 7 April 2007 at 1204 BST.

The programme will be repeated on Sunday, 8 April 2007 at 2102 BST.




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