All the latest insight and commentary from James Daley and the Fairer Finance team.

Blog

How I finally paid no bank charges on my holidays

4 January 2016

How I finally paid no bank charges on my holidays

James Daley

Extortionate bank fees have been ripping off holidaymakers for years. But it's finally easy as pie to avoid them.

Blog

Can the FCA embarrass banks into being good?

18 December 2015

Can the FCA embarrass banks into being good?

James Daley

The FCA has started publishing tables of banks' worst savings accounts. But is it likely to make any difference?

Blog

Time for a ban on payday loan adverts

11 December 2015

Time for a ban on payday loan adverts

James Daley

The Children's Society have launched a campaign to ban payday loan adverts at times when children might see them. But why stop there?

Blog

What does 5 stars really mean?

10 December 2015

What does 5 stars really mean?

James Daley

Star ratings are everywhere - but they all mean slightly different things. And in some cases, they are driving companies to do things which are not particularly helpful for their customers.

Blog

Why do insurers need two years to change their renewal letters?

5 December 2015

Why do insurers need two years to change their renewal letters?

James Daley

The Financial Conduct Authority is finally consulting on proposals to force insurers to put last year's price on their renewal letters. But it may be 2018 before every insurer has fallen in line.

Blog

Still no closer to clear mortgage comparison

25 November 2015

Still no closer to clear mortgage comparison

James Daley

Which? & the CML have completed their work on simplifying mortgage charges. But they've not cracked the bigger problem of helping customers compare loans on a like for like basis.

Blog

Fund managers set for another wake up call

19 November 2015

Fund managers set for another wake up call

James Daley

The investment industry has been fighting tooth and nail to avoid modernisation. But a new regulatory investigation means it may now be set to pay the consequences.

Blog

 You shouldn’t need a PhD to understand your home insurance

12 November 2015

You shouldn’t need a PhD to understand your home insurance

James Daley

New Fairer Finance research reveals that many insurance documents are only accessible to people educated to post-graduate level. It's time for the regulator to take action.

Blog

FCA turns a blind eye to credit card market failings

4 November 2015

FCA turns a blind eye to credit card market failings

James Daley

The long awaited FCA study into the credit card market has overlooked some of the biggest problems for consumers.

Blog

Are you really treating your customers fairly?

26 October 2015

Are you really treating your customers fairly?

James Daley

The Financial Conduct Authority is busy tearing up its rules to help companies be able to communicate more clearly with their customers. But most banks and insurers and not keeping up with the shifting sands.