Insurance.com: winning customers with content

Published By Datamonitor

Credit cards: Australian consumer survey offers insight

A Datamonitor survey has revealed that 9% of Australian credit card customers admit to only managing the minimum payment each month, while almost a quarter admit to buying items they can't afford with their card. Credit card providers therefore need to be careful selecting who to offer credit, and be transparent in communicating associated costs.

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Australia: Woolworths launches credit card

Woolworths has become the first Australian company to launch a credit card with a sophisticated loyalty program, capable of collating data regarding consumer purchases. This data will eventually be utilized in Woolworths' marketing efforts, and is seen as even more important than the financial aspect of the card.

Published By Datamonitor

Downturn reveals weaknesses in UK consumers' pensions' savings plans

Datamonitor's Financial Services Consumer Insights survey reveals that attempts to promote pension savings have been a failure, with around 69% of individuals globally still not having any pension policy in place. Consumers in the UK are particularly vulnerable and may not be able to rely on overburdened state systems in their retirement, making private pensions more vital than ever before.

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Moneysupermarket.com: profits challenged by competitive environment

Despite being one of the success stories in UK financial services over the last few years, price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com has reported a fall in profits for the first half of 2009. The site remains a popular concept among UK consumers, but the aggregator should be mindful of its competitors if it is to maintain its enviable position in the market.

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UK car insurance providers must be careful about charging interest

The latest report from the Automobile Association in the UK reveals the extent to which car insurance providers charge for monthly repayments of car insurance premiums. Datamonitor's Financial Services Consumer Insight research suggests that this tactic may not be sustainable in the long term, given consumers' growing value awareness and the financial difficulties in which many find themselves.

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Barclaycard: leading the way in account management during the downturn

UK card issuer Barclaycard has revealed that its early assistance initiative for cardholders facing financial difficulties has achieved the milestone of helping 6,000 customers. In the current climate, there is an increasing need to resolve these issues quickly and efficiently in order to boost the profitability of issuers' loan books. To this end, other issuers should follow Barclaycard's lead.

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Are we in the grip of a 'Psychological Recession'?

The Generation Recession report recently commissioned by Friends Provident has indicated that the UK is in the grip of a 'Psychological Recession', an assertion supported by Datamonitor research. While there is a significant disparity between the perceived effect of the recession on consumers and its actual effect on their day-to-day financial lives, such perceptions are perpetuating the problem.

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SUS: insurer launches innovative cover to cater to the needs of recessionary consumers

Salisbury Underwriting Services has announced the launch of a new insurance product aimed at employees fearful of losing their job and not being able to secure one of comparable pay. The product is likely to find particular favor among consumers that are worried about job security due to the recession, and feel that their financial situation will only worsen in the months ahead.

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Low interest rates depress savers

The last six months have seen unprecedented low rates of interest, which are great for borrowers but make life hard for savers. Datamonitor's Financial Services Consumer Insight survey revealed a trend of consumers wanting to shift their savings from long-term to short-term easy access, but this makes it even harder to find strong returns.

Published By Datamonitor