UK travel insurers: a mixed performance

The events of September 11 have undoubtedly hit travel insurers hard and 2002 has been difficult for all those involved in the travel and tourism industry. But, some insurers have fared better than others, reporting no negative effects and growth above expectation. This can be put down to their customer base, their distribution channels and changing travel trends in general.

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UK travel insurance: US attacks will hit growth

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UK travel insurance: agent regulation could hit growth

The government has launched an investigation into the sale of travel insurance by travel agents following reports of mis-selling. Travel agents could be included under FSA regulation as a result of the investigation, which would give consumers added protection, but might also lead to a slowdown in the growth of the travel insurance market.

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UK tax laws: loophole closed on extended warranty

Price hikes on policies sold with electrical goods by high street retailers could raise the attractiveness of cheaper cover from direct providers. The direct vendors' success, however, will be dependent on the ability of direct players to raise consumer awareness and put pressure on retailers' point-of-sale advantage.

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UK sub-prime mortgage market poised for further growth

The UK sub-prime mortgage market is set to grow further, after experiencing yet another year of strong growth in 2006. According to research from Datamonitor, the UK sub-prime mortgage market is expected to reach GBP31.5 billion by 2011, growing at a yearly compounded average rate of 4.7%, compared to the mainstream market's rate of 2.6%.

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UK spending on plastic cards reaches new high

Despite a testing 12 months, total spending on payment cards in the UK market has once again reached a new high. The combined value of transactions made on charge, credit and debit and private label (store) cards was GBP470 billion in 2005, up 50% on the level in 2001, with plastic cards becoming increasingly popular for both day-to-day purchases and borrowing.

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UK secured lending growth set to cool

Secured lending in the UK is set to calm over the next five years. As the UK's housing market slows to a soft landing, the rapid growth rates the secured lending market has enjoyed over the last five years are set to cool. Furthermore, as more mainstream lenders become involved, smaller specialist lenders will find it more difficult to compete on equal terms.

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UK savings: with-profits sales to grow across all channels to 2008

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UK savings: stamps of approval

The Post Office is to resurrect savings stamps, designed to assist low income groups in meeting bill payments and other outgoings. Although not without flaws, the stamps may be an effective mechanism for helping low income groups better manage their finances. The banking sector has much to learn from the system, as the stamps target a consumer group it has not always effectively tuned into.

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UK savings: rising debt could threaten stability

Record levels of personal indebtedness are an increasing cause for concern, according to the Bank of England. Despite evidence that at present most people are able to meet their debt commitments, the upward trend in debt cannot continue indefinitely without threatening economic stability. As a result, the consumer credit market is likely to see a slowdown in growth ahead.

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