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

Blog

What now for the Money Advice Service?

30 October 2014

What now for the Money Advice Service?

James Daley

The Money Advice Service has been told it will not play a part in delivering the government's promised guidance for all retirees. Some are already calling for it to be decommissioned.

Blog

Why do building societies ever rip off their customers?

29 October 2014

Why do building societies ever rip off their customers?

James Daley

Yorkshire Building Society has been fined 4.1m for treating struggling mortgage customers unfairly. It's the company's second fine in six months. Why is a business that is owned by its customers doing so badly by them?

Blog

What makes a good life insurance policy?

22 October 2014

What makes a good life insurance policy?

James Daley

Choosing the right life insurance policy isn't just about finding a good price.

Blog

The unlikely winners in the bank switching wars

15 October 2014

The unlikely winners in the bank switching wars

James Daley

Halifax and Santander are cleaning up in the bank account switching market - even though their customer happiness scores are below average.

Blog

Can Co-op help stop the extended warranty rip-off?

14 October 2014

Can Co-op help stop the extended warranty rip-off?

James Daley

Extended warranties are notorious for being overpriced and unreliable. But a new approach by the Co-op may put pressure on others to price more reasonably.

Blog

Private equity tactics still showing through at the AA

9 October 2014

Private equity tactics still showing through at the AA

James Daley

While the AA may now be in public ownership, some of the hallmarks of its long stint in the hands of private equity owners still remain.

Blog

Is it really possible to reward loyalty?

7 October 2014

Is it really possible to reward loyalty?

James Daley

Natwest is the latest bank to promise to offer its best deals to new as well as existing customers. But rewarding loyalty tends to come at the cost of offering good market leading deals. Is that really what customers want?

Blog

No solution to a £200m problem

6 October 2014

No solution to a £200m problem

James Daley

The Competition & Markets Authority spent two years investigating a £200m problem in the car insurance market. Its conclusions were a serious let down.

Blog

Is this really the most popular bank on the high street?

1 October 2014

Is this really the most popular bank on the high street?

James Daley

Customer satisfaction polling is gaining ever more prominence in the world of banking and insurance. But there's significant variations in the results - so who's right?

Blog

Would you like me to read the disclaimer or put it in the post, sir?

30 September 2014

Would you like me to read the disclaimer or put it in the post, sir?

James Daley

Calls to banks and insurers often end with lengthy disclaimers. But they're too often box-ticking exercises rather than focused on arming customers with the information they need.