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credit card provider

Banks, Checking & Savings, Credit Cards, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Money, Personal Finance

Barclaycard Freedom Celebrates First Birthday

Barclaycard Freedom, the loyalty scheme from Barclaycard, celebrates strong figures on its progress since launch one year ago. The scheme has encouraged Barclaycard Freedom cardholders to spend on average 14% more in launch partner stores than other credit card customers.

There are now one million active Barclaycard Freedom customers earning and redeeming Reward Money across over 20,000 coalition partners. Over the last 12 months, the average value redeemed has doubled. Joint promotions have driven much of this growth, with cardholders who have benefited from retailer special offers spending over two and a half times more than cardholders who have not taken advantage of the credit card benefits.

Over the last year, both large and small retailers have seen a rise in custom from Barclaycard holders as a result of available Reward Money, with the average amount of Reward Money being redeemed month-on-month almost doubling. Shell service stations have seen a 15% rise in linked sales from Barclaycard Freedom cardholders and, in smaller independent retailers over a quarter (27%) of Reward Money was earned and redeemed.

Sarah Alspach, marketing director of Barclaycard Freedom, said: “Since launch last year, economic conditions have been creating a pinch on shoppers’ wallets with resulting falls in high street spending. Barclaycard Freedom has been benefiting Barclaycard credit card holders and providing value for money for retailers, while delivering double digit growth in spending. We believe it is a programme that is good for shoppers as they earn pounds, not points and it is helping drive business for our coalition partners. Indeed, footfall, together with the insight we can provide, will be a crucial element in helping our partners navigate the next 12 months.”

Via EPR Network
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Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Money, Personal Finance

M&S Money Goes Back To The Future To Compare Student Bedrooms

The average student crams into their room almost £699 worth of electrical gadgets and appliances, £444 worth of clothes, sports equipment valued at £246 and textbooks worth £231, according to the poll by M&S Money*.

The huge value of a student’s bedroom is not surprising, with over half of students (55%) owning a laptop, 48% possessing a MP3 player and 20% a widescreen television.

But students’ expensive tastes are nothing new as the survey also revealed what the typical university bedroom of 1985 looked like.

While today’s students listen to music through their MP3 player and stereo, students in 1985 enjoyed the sounds of Wham and Tears for Fears through their Walkman, ghetto blaster and turntable.

In the same year that ‘Back to the Future’ hit the big screens, the students of 1985 were watching the first episodes of Eastenders on their black and white TVs.

The 1985 student bedroom was also likely to contain an alarm clock, scientific calculator, Breville toaster, and even a landline phone for the lucky few.

The survey also revealed that only 8% of the 1985 students said they were burgled while at university, compared to 27% of current students.

Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: “While the contents of a student’s bedroom have changed a great deal in the past 25 years, one thing remains the same – they have expensive tastes.

“Our survey shows the modern day student bedroom is a goldmine for thieves, so insurance could be the best investment students make this autumn.”

The survey was carried out to mark the 25th anniversary of the launch of the financial services arm of M&S**, today known as M&S Money.

Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Money, Personal Finance

M&S Money Reveals Brits Stick To Things They Know And Love

M&S Money has revealed new research that shows when shop keepers and businesses earn the British public’s trust, customers return time and time again.

From dentists to favourite shop keepers, on average these relationships with our favourite shops and people last the test of time, according to new research by M&S Money* to mark the company’s 25th anniversary.

The results showed that people have firm favourites among their shopkeepers and other professionals, with almost 25 million Brits remaining loyal to their favourites for 20 years or more. Six out of 10 say that good customer service is the main reason they stay loyal to a person or business and over half cite reliability and good value for money.

The report also showed that 1.3 million women have stuck with the same hairdressers for over 20 years and, on average, British adults have the same doctor for almost 13 years, with over 10 million staying with the same doctor for 25 years. The research also found that despite some people’s nervousness they stay faithful to our dentists for nearly nine years. It was also revealed that men stay with their main bank for 14 years and women slightly longer at 15 years.

Colin Kersley, chief executive of M&S Money, said: “Consumers will evidently stick with businesses and people who deliver great service and look after their customers. Most people can name someone they trust completely, whether cutting their hair, managing their money, decorating their house or fixing their car.

“People clearly feel strongly about good customer service, reliability and trustworthiness as these are reasons why they stay loyal for so long. After 25 years in business, M&S Money has stood the test of time and we know how important it is to continue earning the loyalty of our customers.

Via EPR Network
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Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Money, Personal Finance

M&S Money Urge Drivers To Make Car Security A Priority This Summer

M&S Money has revealed a new survey that reveals thousands of drivers are risking invalidating car insurance claims by failing to make vehicle security a priority.

The poll* found that more than half (56%) of UK motorists have been victims of car crime – 12% of car owners have experienced maliciously damaged paintwork, 8% have had a windscreen smashed and 8% of motorists have been victims of theft of personal belongings from their car.

While 60% of car owners have an alarm installed in their vehicle, many risk invalidating car insurance claims by failing to activate the alarm when the vehicle is unattended.

The survey found that 40% of Brits do not always use their car’s security system. A further 12% of motorists never use their security facilities, while nearly half of people (43%) admitted to having left their cars unlocked.

The M&S Car Insurance policy states that when a vehicle is unattended drivers must ensure the car is locked, windows are closed, any security system activated and any keyless entry systems removed.

Via EPR Network
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Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services

M&S Money Readies For Valentine’s Day Rush For Wedding Insurance

New figures from M&S Money show that February is one of the most popular months of the year to buy wedding insurance, with sales of M&S Wedding Insurance expected to increase in the weeks after Valentine’s Day as couples planning their big day make sure they are covered in case the worst happens.

M&S Money Readies For Valentine's Day Rush For Wedding Insurance

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “Considering the cost of an average wedding and the current economic climate, wedding insurance really should be at the top of every bride and groom’s list.

“When buying wedding insurance, it is important to think through all the services planned for the big day and make sure the right amount of cover is in place. Once the cover is in place couples can get on with the preparations for the big day.”

Dave Simms, Personal Lines Manager at Ecclesiastical Insurance, which underwrites M&S Wedding Insurance, said: “Supplier failure was the main cause for wedding insurance claims in 2009 and can seriously disrupt a perfectly planned special day. Suppliers struggling in the current economic climate can cause brides and grooms stress and heartache by not being able to deliver contracted services. This often happens at very short notice before the big day.

“In such circumstances, having proper wedding insurance in place can help you get your wedding back on track and help to ensure you’re not left out of pocket because of failed services. Wedding insurance really should be a top priority for newly engaged couples.”

Couples taking out an M&S policy can cover themselves against various nightmare scenarios, including a damaged cake, lost rings or stolen flowers, however there are exclusions, for example the policy does not cover cancellation where the bride or groom decides they don’t want to get married.

M&S Wedding Insurance – Key Features:
Four levels of Wedding Cover
No excess
Up to £17,500 cancellation cover
Stress counselling included as standard
M&S Cardholders receive 100 M&S points when they take out a new policy

Via EPR Network
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Banks, Checking & Savings, Financial Services, ISAs, Money, Personal Finance

M&S Money Launches New Flexi Cash ISA Option

M&S Money has announced the launch if its new flexi cash ISA option, offering a variable rate of 2.65% AER/tax-free. This includes a bonus rate of 1.25% for 18 months from initial deposit.

M&S Money Launches New Flexi Cash ISA Option

Research commissioned by M&S Money revealed that people are now more concerned about easy access to their savings (53% compared to 22% in 2009) and are looking for interest rates with a bonus, as well as fixed rates. When asked what an important factor was to them when putting money into savings, 56% of respondents wanted a savings provider they could trust, compared to 34% in 2009.

The new Flexi Cash ISA requires a minimum deposit of £100 to be made, either paid in one lump sum or £25 by monthly direct debit, up to the Cash ISA allowance of £3,600 or £5,100 per tax year. Transfers from other ISA providers are also allowed under the Flexi Cash ISA.

Flexi Cash ISA is one of the options customers can use within the M&S Cash ISA account to divide their tax free savings allowance between variable and fixed rates. From April 2010, the new limit for Cash ISA savings will be £5,100 per tax year for everyone aged 16 and over. This new limit will already exist for those aged 50 and over from early April 2010.

As an example, with the M&S Cash ISA, a customer would be able to save £2,550 in the variable Flexi Cash ISA option, and the remaining £2,550 in one of the fixed rate savings options available.

Colin Kersley, Chief Executive of M&S Money, commented: “Our research shows that more people than last year are looking for a savings provider they can trust. At M&S Money we have been providing a safe home for customers’ savings for many years, and the company itself is 25 years old this year.

“We are also part of HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations, and are continuing to develop our savings range. Cash savings are protected under the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the first £50,000 of our customers’ savings are 100% guaranteed.”

Via EPR Network
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Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Insurance, Insurance Services, Money, Personal Finance

Put Home Insurance Top Of The Christmas Wish List

As a survey reveals that a third of households leave gifts under the Christmas tree well before the big day, home insurance provider M&S Money is advising householders to make sure security remains a priority this festive period.

Crime statistics reveal that domestic burglaries increase during the coldest and darkest months of the year – November, December and January (Home Office Report ‘Seasonality in recorded crime’).

The increased value of property stored in homes in the weeks before Christmas means that householders should be particularly vigilant to the threat of a break-in.

A survey by home insurance provider M&S Money has revealed that security is the last thing on the minds of 39% of householders who say they leave presents under the Christmas tree well before December 25th. Only 7% of householders are security-minded and wait until Christmas morning to put presents under the tree.

Furthermore, only 20% of people say they are ‘very confident’ about what is covered by their home contents insurance, meaning many people may be unaware they are exceeding the limits of their normal home contents insurance cover.

While 75% of UK households have home contents insurance, only 7.53% of policies across the market offer unlimited sum cover for the contents of homes. M&S Home Insurance gives unlimited cover so policyholders can relax knowing that they will never be underinsured, no matter what the value of the presents stored at home.

David Wells, M&S Head of Insurance, said: “At Christmas it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season and forget about home security. However, we all know there are criminals who see this time of the year as providing them with rich pickings.

“Householders can take practical measures to deter burglars and protect their homes by keeping expensive Christmas presents out of view, closing curtains during the long dark December evenings and fitting timers to lights and radios which will create doubt in the burglar’s mind.”

David added: “Christmas should be a fun time of the year. By making sure you have adequate home insurance you can enjoy festivities in the knowledge that the contents of your home are protected should the worst happen.”

Via EPR Network
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M&S Money urge pet owners to ensure household medication is securely stored following increase in reports of pet poisonings

M&S Money has urged pet owners to ensure medication is securely stored around the house following a large increase in reports of pet poisonings.

The potentially fatal mishap is a growing problem across the UK, with a 34% year-on-year increase in reported cases to Vetfone – a 24-hour advice line available to M&S Pet Insurance customers. Vetfone is manned by qualified veterinary nurses who can give concerned animal lovers immediate advice on a pet’s condition. Around 70% of calls to the service by M&S Money customers are made out of normal veterinary hours.

One of the major increases of poisonings seen involves nicotine-based products, including nicotine patches, chewing gum and inhalers.

The toxic dose of nicotine in dogs is five milligrams per pound pet bodyweight and a dose of 10mg/lb can be lethal. While a cigarette contains 15-25 milligrams of nicotine, nicotine patches can contain much more at between 8-114 milligrams of nicotine and even nicotine inhalers contain around 10 milligrams of nicotine. Signs of toxicity are dose-dependent and include tremors, weakness, depression and vomiting.

Vetfone Operations Manager & Senior Emergency Vet Nurse, Louise O’Dwyer, said:”It is very concerning that there has been such a large increase in reported pet poisonings.

“Nicotine poisoning can be particularly serious. Remember prevention is better than cure, so ensure products such as cigarettes, nicotine patches and gums and even ashtrays containing cigarette butts are kept away from your pets reach.”

M&S Money Insurance Manager, Judith Roberts, said: “Anyone who suspects that their pet has swallowed household medication should first try and identify what’s been eaten, by recovering packaging such as blister packs or boxes and then seek immediate veterinary advice.

“M&S Pet Insurance policyholders can rest assured that a qualified veterinary expert is available round the clock to provide advice and answer questions should a pet become unwell.”

About M&S Money

M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc. The company is now a top ten credit card provider and the second largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance and car insurance, as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations with over 9,500 offices in 85 countries and territories.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.

The company employs 1,200 staff at its headquarters in Chester, delivering personal financial services to its customers, reflecting the core values of Marks & Spencer – quality, value, service, innovation and trust.

Via EPR Network
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