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	<title>Credit Cards Loans and Mortgages UK</title>
	<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:39:21 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Building and Contents Insurance: Actually Not the Same Thing</title>
		<description><![CDATA[By and large contents insurance and building insurance are sold alongside each other and therefore aren’t usually considered separate entities. However there are occasions when a prospective policy holder would do better owning one over the other—of course both cover the unexpected loss of property, so this is meant as a quick and dirty guide [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/building-and-contents-insurance-actually-not-the-same-thing.htm</link>
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		<title>Seeking Alternative Forms of Credit in the UK</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Times continue to be tough in the UK. Austerity measures introduced by the government are continuing to bite, there are no end of problems with the Euro and it&#8217;s members, unemployment is high and to top it all of it&#8217;s rapidly approaching Christmas&#8230; the most expensive time of year! With all these problems, it&#8217;s no [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/seeking-alternative-forms-of-credit-in-the-uk.htm</link>
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		<title>DFH Financial Solutions Ltd – The Experts for all Debt Management</title>
		<description><![CDATA[DFH Financial Solutions are all too aware of the various difficulties that can creep up on anyone. Everything can be fine and then a major problem happens &#8211; possibly redundancy, an accident or illness &#8211; and the level of debt which had previously not been an issue has now become a crisis. The best way [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/dfh-financial-solutions-ltd-the-experts-for-all-debt-management.htm</link>
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		<title>The Rollercoaster Continues in the UK</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It would certainly be an understatement to say that the last three years have been challenging. The biting recession, property prices nose-diving, lenders going bust and those that are left seemingly reluctant to lend have contributed to as great a sense of uncertainty as seen in two generations. The effect of the new Coalition Government’s [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/the-rollercoaster-continues-in-the-uk.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Advice &#8211; Help with getting it right</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Getting the right insurance is better than getting the cheapest deal. Economic times are hard and everybody wants to get a good price but if that means a policy doesn&#8217;t pay a claim then what&#8217;s the point? Websites can only scratch the surface when it comes to giving life insurance advice and in fact, most life [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/planning/life-insurance-advice-help-with-getting-it-right.htm</link>
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		<title>Secured homeowner loans: The loan of last resort?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;If you own your home then you may be accepted for a secured homeowner loan. Even if you have a bad credit rating, do not fear as most lenders will still offer you a loan for up to 85% of the value of your home for a maximum of 35 years. Great news! Or not? [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/loan-information-and-articles/secured-homeowner-loans-the-loan-of-last-resort.htm</link>
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		<title>Launch of Dividend Income Investor.com</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Subscription-only website Dividend Income Investor.com has launched today as a follow up to Early Retirement Investor.com and in response to a specific request via their e-newsletter Dividend Alerts. Steven Dotsch, founder and managing editor of EMAR Publishers, says “In November last year, a subscriber of our e-newsletter Dividend Alerts challenged us to back up our [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/stock-market-and-share-trading-articles/launch-of-dividend-income-investor-com.htm</link>
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		<title>Retail Forex Trading is a Relatively New Investment Medium</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Nearly everywhere you look these days, the probability is high that you will either see or hear a promotional ad for currency trading. The Internet is inundated with them, and even a few brokers have gone so far as to buy time on national television networks. Retail forex trading has arrived, so to speak, and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/stock-market-and-share-trading-articles/retail-forex-trading-is-a-relatively-new-investment-medium.htm</link>
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		<title>Maintenance Payment Insurance &#8211; Protection against loss</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Maintenance payments provide essential financial support and can sometimes be the only source of income that is available to cater for the welfare of a young child or children. Because the payments come from an individual they depend on the individual being able to maintain the payments. Unfortunately, circumstances can lead to the individual being [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/planning/maintenance-payment-insurance.htm</link>
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		<title>Think Money welcomes fall in Scottish insolvencies</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Financial solutions company Think Money has welcomed new figures from the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) which show a fall in the number of insolvencies in the second quarter of the financial year. The company said that this could reflect improving fortunes for borrowers, but added that the figures should also come as a reminder that [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/think-money-welcomes-fall-in-scottish-insolvencies.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance with High Cholesterol</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Certain things can cause problems when looking for life insurance and usually these are things that can have an affect on someone&#8217;s life either now or in the future. High cholesterol can stand in the way of life insurance under some circumstances but usually it is not too much of a problem. If the high [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-high-cholesterol.htm</link>
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		<title>IVA Case Study</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have debts that you simply can&#8217;t afford to repay, one option is an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement). This is a formal agreement with your lenders in which you&#8217;ll repay as much of your debts as possible for an agreed period of time, after which your remaining debt will be written off. Your payments [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/iva-case-study.htm</link>
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		<title>eToro Re-Launches Foreign Exchange Trading Website</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Website re-launch caters for growing diversity and experience levels of UK traders LONDON, UK, 03 November, 2009 – eToro (eToro.co.uk), the fastest growing online financial trading platform has re-launched its website as part of its on-going digital development strategy to cater for increased traffic and the growing diversity of UK traders. The improved site delivers [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/share-trading/etoro-re-launches-foreign-exchange-trading-website.htm</link>
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		<title>Credit Card Interest Rate Gone Up?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There is no disguising the fact that financial institutions are tightening purse strings and reducing the amount of credit available to consumers and businesses. Credit card companies have started making changes to the way they do business which reflects the lack of available credit. Many consumers have recently experienced credit card interest rate rises some [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/credit-card-interest-rate-gone-up.htm</link>
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		<title>First Time Buyers Mortgage Deals &#8211; Coventry Rewards Existing Customers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Coventry Building Society has launched a new mortgage offer which suggests they are, in a small way, more confident in the future of the economic situation. They are offering a 90% mortgage for first time buyers provided either they or their parents or guardians have held a savings or current account with Coventry for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/first-time-buyers-mortgage-deals-coventry-rewards-existing-customers.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Cover for Armed Forces Personnel</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Armed forces personnel may be under the impression their life insurance will cost more compared to a 9 &#8211; 5 office worker. This is not necessarily the case. Another popular misconception is that only specialist insurers can provide life insurance cover for armed forces personnel. In actual fact, the majority of military personnel could find [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/occupations-pastimes/life-insurance-cover-for-armed-forces-personnel.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Without a Medical or Doctors Report</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If there are medical conditions present it may not be possible to avoid a medical examination or a report from a doctor because without all the facts, life insurance companies are unable to evaluate the risk. Someone who is fit and healthy with no medical conditions or health problems is unlikely to need a medical [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-without-a-medical-or-doctors-report.htm</link>
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		<title>Mortgage Life Insurance Cover &#8211; Mortgage Protection</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The two main reasons people take out life insurance are: 1/ Family 2/ Mortgage Mortgage life insurance also provides protection for the surviving family. With the mortgage cleared the family can remain in their home without having to struggle to pay the bills on the income of the survivor. If the survivor is a housewife [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/planning/mortgage-life-insurance-mortgage-protection.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Couples &#8211; Joint Cover or Separate Policies?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Is there any benefit in couples each having their own life insurance policy? The simple answer is yes. There is more benefit but it may not be entirely necessary. e.g. Let&#8217;s start with Mr. &#038; Mrs. Jones, a mortgage of £100,000 and a life insurance policy for £100,000 over 20 years. If Mr. &#038; Mrs. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/planning/single-or-joint-life-insurance-policies-for-couples.htm</link>
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		<title>Secured Loans</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In order to borrow money there are various types of loans available and the rules and expectations vary from creditor to creditor and from bank to bank. The majority of loans are grouped into two main categories: secured loans and unsecured loans. There are various types of secured loans, the two major ones being home [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/secured-loans.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Divers &#8211; Cover for Scuba Diving for Occupation or Recreation</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The ability to actually obtain life insurance is unlikely to be affected by diving however there are a few things to consider which could affect the price. Scuba diving as an occupation and scuba diving for recreation can both be assessed by insurance companies in similar ways but they also have certain key differences. Recreational [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/occupations-pastimes/life-insurance-for-divers.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Inheritance Tax (IHT) &amp; Estate Planning</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance for inheritance tax can help to ensure your next of kin receive the full value of your estate when you die. Nobody likes paying Tax but it is a fact of life and unfortunately it can also be a fact of death &#8211; in the form of Inheritance Tax (IHT) which, is why [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/planning/life-insurance-for-inheritance-tax-iht-planning.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Cover with a Pacemaker Fitted</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Advances in technology have led to pacemakers being developed that are extremely reliable and robust. So much so that some life insurance are more than happy to offer cover at standard rates. Many ailments and medical conditions can lead to a life insurance policy being &#8216;loaded&#8217; or &#8216;rated&#8217; because of underlying health issues. Depending on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-a-pacemaker-fitted.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Cover for People with HIV</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A large number of people in the UK are living with HIV and many are leading very normal lives. Many people with HIV have existing mortgages and family and so a need for life insurance exists. Until recently it has not been possible for people with HIV to obtain life insurance but that is no [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-for-people-with-hiv.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Stroke Victims</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A stroke can radically affect someone&#8217;s life but it may still be possible to obtain life insurance after a stroke depending on the severity of the stroke and the after effects. Being the victim of a stroke is something that will immediately bring home just how vulnerable we all are and remind us of our own mortality. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-for-stroke-victims.htm</link>
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		<title>Declined Life Insurance &#8211; Turned Down for Life Cover</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Just because someone has life insurance declined it does not necessarily mean they will be turned down by every insurer. The main reasons applicants have life insurance turned down or declined vary and can include: Existing medical conditions Family medical history Weight Drug / Alcohol Abuse High Risk Occupation The difficulty is each insurer will [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/previously-declined-or-turned-down-for-life-insurance.htm</link>
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		<title>High Value Life Insurance &#8211; High Net Worth Cover</title>
		<description><![CDATA[High net worth individuals or couples wishing to obtain greater than average sums of life insurance can do so but life insurance companies may require more in depth medical information before agreeing to offer cover. High value life insurance of say £500,000 to £1,000,000 or above is seen as more of a risk to a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/occupations-pastimes/high-value-life-insurance-high-net-worth.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Overweight People (High BMI)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance for overweight people can sometimes be a struggle to find but with the right help it may still be possible to find competitive cover. Being overweight could potentially lead to health problems in later life and for this reason life insurance companies may charge more to provide cover to someone who is overweight [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-for-overweight-people.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Cover for Alcoholics &#8211; Alcoholism &#8211; Alcohol Abuse</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Alcoholics and alcoholism is regarded my life insurance companies in a similar way to many ailments and illnesses. The severity of the alcoholism and how long a person has been an alcoholic will play a part in determining the cost and availability of cover. Confirmed alcoholics who are still drinking are unlikely to be offered [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-for-alcoholics-alcoholism.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance with Medical Conditions &amp; Health Problems</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people in the UK are able to enjoy the peace of mind life insurance brings despite having pre-existing medical conditions or health problems. If you are not sure if your particular medical condition will affect your chances of getting life insurance it is better to speak with a specialist adviser before submiting any applications. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-pre-existing-medical-conditions-or-health-problems.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Cover with Epilepsy &#8211; For Epileptic People</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Epilepsy is unlikely to prevent an individual from having life insurance but depending on the severity of the condition it could affect the price. In many cases however, epileptic people can obtain life insurance at standard prices. An individual who suffered from childhood epilepsy but has not experienced an attack for several years should have [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-epilepsy.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance Cover with a Disability &#8211; For Disabled People</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance is most certainly available for disabled people, however it will depend on the severity of the disability and how the applicants lifestyle has been affected by the disability. There are many different reasons why a person becomes disabled including illnesses, serious accident or birth defects and these reasons will all play a very [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-a-disability-for-disabled-people.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance with Depression, Anxiety &amp; Stress</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people in the UK suffer from depression or stress related anxiety and depending on the severity of the condition it may affect the ability to obtain life insurance or the price of insurance but using a broker to research the market can take out much of the uncertainty. Very mild depression or stress may [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-depression-stress.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure &#8211; Hypertension</title>
		<description><![CDATA[High blood pressure (also called Hypertension) can sometimes have an affect on the price of life insurance but if the high blood pressure is well controlled with medication and there are no other underlying issues (such as overweight or heart problems) it may be possible to obtain life insurance at &#8216;standard rates&#8217;. &#8216;Standard rates&#8217; is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-with-high-blood-pressure.htm</link>
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		<title>How Family Medical History Affects Life Insurance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance companies will take the family medical history of an applicant into account. How this affects a life insurance policy depends on what the illness or condition is or was, how many family members were affected and at what age they were affected. Typically the only family members an insurance company will be interested [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-family-medical-history.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance is available for diabetics but it can depend on the type of diabetes and how well the diabetes is controlled. Some insurers are slightly less concerned with Type 1 diabetes compared to Type 2 and whether or not the diabetic in question is on tablets or insulin injections can also make a difference. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/life-insurance-articles/life-insurance-for-diabetics.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Pilots &#8211; Recreational, Commercial, Student &amp; Private Pilots (inc. Helicopter)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance is available for many pilots with NO &#8216;loadings&#8217; (no price increase) and NO exclusions due to flying. Many pilots could enjoy cover at &#8216;standard&#8217; rates or at least find cheaper cover by talking to a specialist. Scroll down this page or click the link below to find out more about life insurance for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/occupations-pastimes/life-insurance-for-pilots.htm</link>
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		<title>Life Insurance for Self Employed</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Life insurance is available for self employed people and it is no different to life insurance for employed people. Occupation can have an affect on life insurance but the factors that make a difference can impact employed people as well as self employed people. Generally the life insurance itself should be unaffected by occupation unless [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/occupations-pastimes/life-insurance-for-self-employed.htm</link>
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		<title>New Mortgage Offers &amp; the Best Way to Find Them</title>
		<description><![CDATA[New mortgage offers are being released almost daily in the current climate. The best way to keep on top of the best deals and offers that are emerging is to either keep a very close eye on things yourself, or let someone else do it for you. Not everyone has time to keep searching and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/new-mortgage-offers-the-best-way-to-find-them.htm</link>
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		<title>Compare Life Insurance Online &#8211; But Beware of the Pitfalls</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Being able to compare life insurance online can be a great labour saving method of getting your protection policies easily and cheaply. However, we have identified a number of potential pitfalls that could lead to someone not having enough cover, the wrong term or even having a claim refused. Going for the cheapest option isn&#8217;t [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/compare-life-insurance-online-but-beware-of-pitfalls.htm</link>
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		<title>10 Year &amp; 5 Year Fixed Rate Mortgages &#8211; Long term deals attract interest.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In uncertain financial times people develop a keen desire to protect their long term interests. Although interest rates are currently at an all time low and short term fixed rate mortgage offers below 3.5% are widely available, there is growing concern over the future highs to which interest rates could climb in the coming years, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/long-term-fixed-rate-mortgages-10-year-5-year-deals-attract-interest.htm</link>
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		<title>Bad Credit Van Loans &amp; Finance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There has always been a selection of bad credit car loans but getting a loan or finance for a van if you have bad credit can be tricky. When you&#8217;re in business for yourself as a sole trader, any bad debts as a result of business deals will reflect against the individual and it&#8217;s sometimes [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/loan-information-and-articles/bad-credit-van-loans.htm</link>
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		<title>Large Mortgages and Mortgages from £500,000 to £1 Million and Over</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Large mortgages can sometimes pose problems for borrowers but there are options available via specialist brokers that can&#8217;t be found on the high street. Many high street mortgage lenders have a maximum loan amount and in many cases this is £500,000 with some slightly more generous lenders limiting their maximum to £1 million. So what [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/mortgage-information-and-articles/large-mortgages-and-mortgages-from-500000-to-1-million-and-over.htm</link>
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		<title>Who is the Cheapest Car Insurance Company?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The answer to the question, &#8216;who is the cheapest car insurance company?&#8217; is almost impossible to answer. The reason is because the offers are always changing and different people with different circumstances will pay different amounts for their car insurance. For example, people with less no-claims discount will pay more for insurance than someone with [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/cheapest-car-insurance-company-who-is-it.htm</link>
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		<title>Low Loan to Value (LTV) Mortgage &#8211; Compare Mortgages</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With falling house prices and mortgage lenders concerned about their exposure to risk the most competitive mortgage rates are currently being offered to applicants with low loan to value mortgages. Gone are the days of 125% mortgages and free and easy lending criteria with house prices climbing month on month. Now to qualify for the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/mortgage-information-and-articles/low-loan-to-value-ltv-mortgage-compare-mortgages.htm</link>
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		<title>Should You Cancel Life Insurance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In times of financial hardship people are always looking for ways to cut back. There are many ways to do this including buying less treats, choosing supermarket own brand products or spending less on takeaways and nights out. Some may feel inclined to cancel payments to things they consider non-essential like gym membership but when [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/should-you-cancel-life-insurance.htm</link>
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		<title>So you&#8217;re thinking about life insurance?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are thining about life insurance you have already made the first step and decided &#8211; ‘I would like my family to be protected and benefit financially if I die’. Here are a few things to think about before you commit to &#8211; buy some life insurance. What do you want to protect? 1/ [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/so-youre-thinking-about-life-insurance.htm</link>
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		<title>Fixed Rate Mortgages with No Fee &#8211; New Mortgage Offers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[New fixed rate mortgage offers with no lenders arrangement fee have been launched today by Alliance &#038; Leicester. This enhances their range of fee free mortgage solutions to include 3 and 4 year fixed rates. A&#038;L now have a 2 year fixed rate offer with no fee at 4.29%, a 3 year offer at 4.69% [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/fixed-rate-mortgages-with-no-fee-new-mortgage-offers.htm</link>
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		<title>Self Employed Income Protection – Long Term &amp; Short Term Accident &amp; Sickness Insurance Cover</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Self employed people do not receive any employee benefits when they are off sick or are unable to work because of an accident so it&#8217;s important to arrange income protection insurance. Benefits from the Government are minimal and Statutory Sick Pay is currently a meagre £79.15 per week or £343 per month which is barely [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/income-protection-for-the-self-employed.htm</link>
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		<title>Income Multiples for Mortgages</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The income multiples used by mortgage lenders vary from one lender to another. Some are more &#8216;generous&#8217; than others and will allow over five times the household income to calculate how much a customer can borrow. All lenders will also take into account a variety of factors as well as just a basic income multiple [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/income-multiples-for-mortgages.htm</link>
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		<title>Critical Illness &amp; Cancer Cover &#8211; Are they the same thing?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Statistically a high percentage of us are at risk from cancer so it&#8217;s natural to consider some sort of protection that could provide a cash lump sum to either clear our debts, take care of our families or pay for treatment if we are diagnosed with cancer. Critical Illness Cover can provide exactly that but [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/is-critical-illness-cover-cancer-cover.htm</link>
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		<title>Low Rate Credit Cards Vs. 0% APR Balance Transfers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Is it better to choose a credit card with a long 0% balance transfer offer or one with a low rate that starts low and stays low? >> Compare Credit Cards Online Credit cards work well as convenience items making it easy to pay for goods and services in today&#8217;s world. By clearing the full [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/credit-card-information/low-rate-credit-cards-vs-balance-transfers.htm</link>
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		<title>Cheapest Fixed Rate Mortgages</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In the current mortgage market finding the cheapest fixed rate mortgage deals can be frustrating. People who thought they were getting the cheapest fixed rate 6 months ago are now seeing rates almost halved by comparison. Fixed rates have been changing on an almost weekly basis and as the Bank of England continues to lower [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/mortgage-information-and-articles/cheapest-fixed-rate-mortgages.htm</link>
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		<title>90% Mortgages &#8211; A Few Offers Available</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Despite an economic slowdown and the refusal by many lenders to expose themselves to risk it is still possible to find 90% mortgages. A 90% mortgage means you only need to have a 10% deposit to buy a property. There are however a few products available but the rate of interest is not as competitive [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/mortgage-information-and-articles/90-mortgages-a-few-offers-available.htm</link>
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		<title>It&#8217;s Getting Harder to Qualify for a Mortgage</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Banks and Building Societies are continuing to tighten the purse strings and reduce their exposure to risk. By cherry picking only the most suitable customers who neatly fit their strict criteria mortgage lenders are trying to safeguard their future and improve their own creditworthiness. Abbey are making it tougher for applicants by assessing their affordability [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/its-getting-harder-to-qualify-for-a-mortgage.htm</link>
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		<title>More Bailouts &#8211; The Pain of the Banking Sector</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A £300BN rescue plan has been laid out to help save the UK financial sector and improve lending woes between banks. The details as yet are slightly vague but in short the Government intends to insure banks against bad or toxic debt and provide cash in return for assets. The &#8216;Credit Crunch&#8217; has been caused [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/more-bailouts-the-pain-of-the-banking-sector.htm</link>
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		<title>Get a Quote for Cheaper Life Insurance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With the cost of living on the rise it&#8217;s important to make sure we&#8217;re not paying to much for the essentials. Most people with a mortgage have life insurance to clear the mortgage in the event of their death so that the family does not have to sell the house to pay off the mortgage [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/insurance-information/get-a-quote-for-cheaper-life-insurance.htm</link>
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		<title>Moving a Mortgage from Northern Rock</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A few weeks ago, Northern Rock announced they were not going to be offering their existing mortgage customers a new mortgage when they&#8217;re current offer came to an end. Instead, existing customers were offered products from the Lloyds TSB range. This may well suit a number of people but there is every possibility not everyone [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/moving-a-mortgage-from-northern-rock.htm</link>
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		<title>Low Rate Fixed Rate Mortgages</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Low rate fixed rate mortgages are becoming available once more with several lenders reducing rates more than once in recent weeks. Following a recent spate of rate reductions borrowers can now access a low fixed rate mortgage at just 4.69%. This low rate offer does however have a downside. The arrangement fee is 2.5% of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/low-rate-fixed-rate-mortgages.htm</link>
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		<title>Things are Looking Up for Buy-to-Let</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In the space of a few months news reports have signaled the death of the Buy-to-let market, continuing gloom and doom and significant losses for recent would-be landlords. But the grey clouds have a silver lining. Most Buy-to-let properties are purchased using an &#8216;interest only&#8217; mortgage. What this means is only the interest is repaid [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/things-are-looking-up-for-buy-to-let.htm</link>
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		<title>Rates Drop but For How Long?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s only been a matter of days since several mortgage lenders announced a drop in their rates but a number of consumers are likely to be annoyed at the circumstances which may have led them to secure a mortgage in recent weeks at a rate which puts them out of pocket compared to one they [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/rates-drop-but-for-how-long.htm</link>
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		<title>Interest in Unemployment Insurance is on the Rise</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As a knock on effect of the uncertain times we are facing in the UK the most widely advertised price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com has reported a 15% increase in the number of visitors to its Accident, Sickness &#038; Unemployment insurance section. This may be a the result of a portion of the UK population losing [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/interest-in-unemployment-insurance-is-on-the-rise.htm</link>
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		<title>Financial Doom and Gloom but Rates are Coming Down</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Everywhere you look at the moment the news is full of portents of financial doom. The word &#8216;recession&#8217; has even been used in some instances. The cost of living is on the increase at a hefty rate of knots due to oil and food price rises and the UK public is being warned to prepare [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/financial-doom-and-gloom-but-rates-are-coming-down.htm</link>
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		<title>Longer Term Fixed Rate Mortgages are Flavour of the Month</title>
		<description><![CDATA[According to a survey by Spicerhaart Financial Services consumers are opting to fix their mortgage rates for longer. Instead of choosing shorter term 2 or 3 year fixed rates in order to shop around more frequently for the best deal, borrowers appear to adopting a more cautious approach in light of recent rate rises by [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/longer-term-fixed-rate-mortgages-are-flavour-of-the-month.htm</link>
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		<title>Firstplus Homeowner Loans Wave Goodbye</title>
		<description><![CDATA[First Plus have announced they will cease lending to new borrowers on the 8th of August 2008. Homeowner loans have decreased in popularity over recent months with rising rates and lenders reducing the maximum loan-to-value on their products. Secured loans became more popular a few years ago when house prices started to take off. Lenders [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/firstplus-homeowner-loans-wave-goodbye.htm</link>
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		<title>House Price Drop Slows</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last month house prices fell by just 0.9%, less then half the rate of last month according to Fionnuala Early, Nationwide&#8217;s Chief Economist. &#8220;Prices in June are now 6.3% lower than this time last year and have fallen 7.3% from their peak last October.&#8221; Although the downturn has slowed prices are 6.3% lower than this [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/house-price-drop-slows.htm</link>
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		<title>HBoS to Remain Competitive</title>
		<description><![CDATA[HBOS intends to retain a 20% share of the UK mortgage market following news that Abbey and HSBC have achieved a 25% stake through a recent surge in demand for their products. Mr. Cammy Amaira, director of sales for IF (Intelligent Finance) said &#8220;HBoS wants to do one in five mortgages this year&#8230;.we want to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/hbos-to-remain-competitive.htm</link>
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		<title>Upward Rate Trend Continues</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Cheltenham and Gloucester, Norwich &#038; Peterborough, Lloyds TSB Scotland and Halifax have unsurprisingly increased rates on selected mortgage products. Halifax, Lloyds and C&#038;G&#8217;s rates have risen by 0.3% and N&#038;P by 0.25%. Lenders rates continue to creep ever higher as &#8216;swap rates&#8216; force the price of money ever upward. Swap rates are directly responsible for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/upward-rate-trend-continues.htm</link>
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		<title>Moneyback Bank Loan Rates Rise</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Moneyback Bank unsecured loan Typical APR has risen today by 0.4% to 7.6% and the cost of borrowing less than £5000 from the same lender has shot up by 1.9% to 10.8%. Also affected by LIBOR, the unsecured loan market has seen gradual rate rises over recent months but has failed to attract as [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/moneyback-bank-loan-rates-rise.htm</link>
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		<title>MBNA Credit Card Extends 0% Balance Transfer Offer</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Once again MBNA&#8217;s credit cards the Platinum Plus Visa and Platinum Rewards Visa have had their 0% balance transfer offers extended. A regular occurrence, the offer has been extended by 1 month this month until the 1st of August 2009. The 0% offer on purchases has also been extended by 1 month to the 1st [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mbna-credit-card-extends-0-balance-transfer-offer.htm</link>
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		<title>Inflation Predicted to Reach 4%</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Governor of the Bank of England warned yesterday that inflation could rise to at least 4% towards the end of the year. Learning to be more frugal and live with the rising cost of living is set to be on the agenda of every household in the UK. The main culprits for the rise [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/inflation-predicted-to-reach-4.htm</link>
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		<title>Nationwide Building Society Rates Rise</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For the second time in a month Nationwide Building Society has increased mortgage rates across its range. Earlier this month rates were available from a reasonably competitive 5.85% for a fixed rate deal. Now the lowest rate available is 6.35% (up to 75% loan-to-value), a rise of 0.5%. Borrowing over 75% loan-to-value now has a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/nationwide-building-society-rates-rise.htm</link>
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		<title>Are you good with money?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We all like to think that we’re good with money and a new survey from CreditExpert, the online credit monitoring and identity fraud protection service from Experian, shows that 96 per cent of us believe we’re up to speed on our current financial position. No interest in interest The survey shows: • 66 per cent [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/are-you-good-with-money.htm</link>
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		<title>Borrowing Becoming More Expensive</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Loan rates are rising across the country with some of the former leaders in the low rate loan market now being found at the bottom of the comparison tables. Northern Rock who have been consistently competitive for many years have recently upped their rate making to what is now one of the least competitive rates [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/borrowing-becoming-more-expensive.htm</link>
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		<title>National Savings and Investments rate changes</title>
		<description><![CDATA[National Savings and Investments rate changes 25 July 2007 National Savings and Investments (NS&#038;I) is increasing the interest rates on a wide range of its variable savings offers by up to 0.25% per annum. This increase follows the movement in the Bank of England base rate on 05 July 2007 which has a bearing on [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/national-savings-and-investments-rate-changes-2.htm</link>
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		<title>Trackers join the great disappearing act</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Drew Wotherspoon of John Charcol comments, “Unless you’ve been on the moon recently, you can’t have missed reports of the great fixed rate disappearing trick over the last few months. Many deals have come and gone in the blink of an eye giving borrowers little opportunity to take them up. That said, the current crop [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/trackers-join-the-great-disappearing-act.htm</link>
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		<title>Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance issues warning on pet obesity</title>
		<description><![CDATA[New research from Sainsbury’s Bank indicates that obesity is a serious problem affecting over a third (34%) of the UK’s combined cat and dog population. Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance estimates that around 2.72 million dogs and 2.87 million cats are suffering from obesity. According to a research study carried out by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/sainsburys-pet-insurance-issues-warning-on-pet-obesity.htm</link>
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		<title>Latest floods &#8211; insurers dealing with claims as quickly as possible</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Insurance companies are dealing with policyholders who have been hit by the latest floods as quickly as possible the ABI (Association of British Insurers) has said. Insurers are: wherever possible contacting their customers in the post codes affected to see what help they can provide; drafting in extra staff to deal with claims; making arrangements [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/latest-floods-insurers-dealing-with-claims-as-quickly-as-possible.htm</link>
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		<title>Worrying fraud trends &#8211; the rise continues</title>
		<description><![CDATA[At the end of June 2007, data provided by Members of CIFAS – The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, continued to give cause for concern. Comparing the first half of 2007 with the same period in 2006, CIFAS Members have seen a sharp rise in most types of financial fraud. Application Fraud (where fraudsters tell lies [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/worrying-fraud-trends-the-rise-continues.htm</link>
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		<title>Nationwide launches US Dollar and Euro Tracker Premium accounts</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Nationwide International has announced that it will be launching US Dollar and Euro Tracker Premium accounts with effect from Wednesday 1 August 2007. The accounts will offer market leading interest rates on offshore, no notice foreign currency accounts. The new accounts will be available to new and existing customers and will offer: Market leading interest [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/nationwide-launches-us-dollar-and-euro-tracker-premium-accounts.htm</link>
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		<title>Barclays launches pre-pay Travel Money Card</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Barclays has launched a new free and secure pre-pay chip and PIN card which can be used throughout the world at cash machines and anywhere VISA is accepted. The Travel Money Card is free to purchase and load with money from the equivalent of £100 to £2,500 and is available in British pounds, US dollars [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/barclays-launches-pre-pay-travel-money-card.htm</link>
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		<title>Launch of pre-paid card for employers to handle expenses</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Alliance &#038; Leicester Commercial Bank in association with MoneyCard Limited has launched a Visa Pre-Paid Card designed to pay employee expenses. Making expenses payments to employees with a pre-paid card frees organisations from the risk of issuing company credit cards and the need to handle cash. Pre-paid cards offer an alternative to difficult to manage [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/launch-of-pre-paid-card-for-employers-to-handle-expenses.htm</link>
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		<title>Holiday card fees hot up &#8211; costing shoppers £millions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[UK holidaymakers who are planning to use their credit card abroad this summer could be wasting hundreds of millions of pounds on unnecessary fees. Research from the Post Office shows that 49 per cent of UK holidaymakers plan to use their credit card to shop abroad, accounting for an estimated spend of around £9.4 billion. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/holiday-card-fees-hot-up-costing-shoppers-millions.htm</link>
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		<title>Birmingham Midshires launches new fixed rate bond</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Birmingham Midshires, a leading provider of fixed rate bonds, has announced the launch of a new 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond. From today, savers will be able to secure an attractive fixed rate of interest at 6.40% gross/AER for a full year. Birmingham Midshires’ 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond is unique to the marketplace in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/birmingham-midshires-launches-new-fixed-rate-bond.htm</link>
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		<title>UK mortgage lending remains strong but shows signs of easing</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Gross lending reached a new May record of £30.6 billion according to data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The figure is up by 12% on April&#8217;s lending total of £27.4 billion and is 5% higher than the same month in 2006 (£29 billion). However, the rate of year-on-year growth is not as high [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/uk-mortgage-lending-remains-strong-but-shows-signs-of-easing.htm</link>
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		<title>Homeowners to spend £56m on gardens this summer</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The majority of homeowners who have gardens (92%) will be spending a staggering £56million on their gardens over the next three months, with one in ten homeowners spending in excess of £500 according to a survey by esure home insurance. The value of household contents will increase as a result and as the longest day [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/homeowners-to-spend-56m-on-gardens-this-summer.htm</link>
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		<title>Insurance price comparison controversy is missing the point</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Insurance comparison website Insurancewide.com argued today that industry experts are missing the point in the controversy about comparison websites sparked by the new Direct Line advertising campaign. “The focus of industry debate about price comparison websites has largely ignored the fact that price is not the only issue when directing customers to the best insurer [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/insurance-price-comparison-controversy-is-missing-the-point.htm</link>
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		<title>Free banking at the touch of a button</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Banks are on course to put &#8216;hole-in-the-wall&#8217; machines into Britian&#8217;s poorest areas. The initiative, spearheaded by Britian&#8217;s high street banks, will see more than a million customers, who currently have to travel or use machines for which there is a charge, able to access their money free the British Bankers&#8217; Association said today. Angela Knight [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/free-banking-at-the-touch-of-a-button.htm</link>
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		<title>Use the smoking ban to take years off your mortgage</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With just over a week to go until smoking in enclosed public spaces is banned, Charcol.co.uk is urging anyone already considering using the ban as a catalyst to giving up smoking to also think of the financial benefits as additional motivation. Someone with a 25 year repayment mortgage could save over £29,000 in interest and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/use-the-smoking-ban-to-take-years-off-your-mortgage.htm</link>
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		<title>Top six credit rating myths</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Modern life depends on our ability to borrow – but what we think contributes to that crucial credit rating and what actually matters are two very different things, as new research from CreditExpert, the credit monitoring and identity fraud protection service from Experian, shows. With personal debt in the UK hitting an all-time high of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/top-six-credit-rating-myths.htm</link>
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		<title>Protect yourself from the TK Maxx hackers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you’ve shopped at TK Maxx since December 2002, your credit or debit card data could have been stolen in the world’s biggest hacker attack. At least 45.7 million payment cards have been compromised and criminals could be using the account information to run up debts in the names of millions of innocent people. If [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/protect-yourself-from-the-tk-maxx-hackers.htm</link>
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		<title>National Savings and Investments rate changes</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Investors can protect their savings against inflation with new issues of NS&#038;I&#8217;s (National Savings and Investments) Inflation-beating Savings Certificates. Following an increase in the yield on Index-linked gilts, NS&#038;I has announced it will increase the fixed rate of interest it pays, on top of the rate of the Retail Price Index (RPI), on its inflation-beating [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/general/national-savings-and-investments-rate-changes.htm</link>
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		<title>Equity release no longer a last resort</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The UK equity release market is entering a crucial stage in its development and will play a greater role in retirement planning, according to a new report from Defaqto. However, the leading financial research company believes that consumer choice and confidence in equity release products is still limited by a lack of household names entering [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/equity-release-no-longer-a-last-resort.htm</link>
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		<title>Boots launches private medical insurance on the high street</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Boots, the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer, has announced a partnership agreement with PruHealth to launch private medical insurance (PMI) in its 1,500 Boots stores. Recent research by Boots highlights that around 80 per cent of people believe they are precluded from taking out private health insurance due to its cost. In addition, 36 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/boots-launches-private-medical-insurance-on-the-high-street.htm</link>
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		<title>The dangers of the ‘school run’</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The school run can be one of the busiest and most dangerous times to be on the road. New research from Sainsbury’s car insurance reveals that during the past five years, over 460,000 people claim to have been involved in an accident during the school run whilst they had a child in their car. The [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/the-dangers-of-the-school-run.htm</link>
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		<title>Cost of running a home rises by 12%</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The annual cost of running a home is now around £11,035, according to analysis from Sainsbury’s Bank. This is as much as £1,199 or 12% higher than the equivalent cost in 2004/05 or a rise of £3.28 a day. However, homeowners could dramatically reduce this cost if they are prepared to shop around for more [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/general/cost-of-running-a-home-rises-by-12.htm</link>
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		<title>Big price gap opens up in the energy market</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A big price gap has opened up between those suppliers who have announced or implemented price cuts and the two smallest suppliers, who have yet to make any announcement, according to research by energy regulator Ofgem. Dual fuel customers with EDF Energy could save up £140 and those with Scottish Power could save up to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/general/big-price-gap-opens-up-in-the-energy-market.htm</link>
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		<title>Improve financial advice without additional burdens</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Most people ask their friends and family or go to the web for money advice a new online poll for the British Bankers’ Association reveals. Banks and post offices come next with the weekend media providing more valued information than independent financial advisers, television adverts or the Financial Services Authority. The British BBA’s survey co-incides [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/general/improve-financial-advice-without-additional-burdens.htm</link>
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		<title>Lloyds TSB is official Airmiles partner</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lloyds TSB and AIRMILES, the UK&#8217;s leading retail loyalty scheme, have announced a new partnership. From 1 June 2007, Lloyds TSB will become AIRMILES&#8217; official financial services partner, providing it with exclusive rights to offer Airmiles to its customers. New and existing customers will be able to gain more rewards than ever before, as Lloyds [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/lloyds-tsb-is-official-airmiles-partner.htm</link>
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		<title>NatWest launches new credit card travel reward programme</title>
		<description><![CDATA[NatWest has announced that it is launching a new travel reward programme. It has joined forces with ebookers, one of Europe’s largest online travel agents and secured the first ever reward deal with easyJet. The YourPoints programme will replace the Bank’s 19-year old relationship with the AIRMILES scheme from June. The airline and travel industry [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/natwest-launches-new-credit-card-travel-reward-programme.htm</link>
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		<title>Barclaycard Breathe Helps Customers go Green</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Barclaycard Breathe helps customers go green with 50 per cent of profits reducing carbon emissions. Barclaycard has announced plans to launch the first UK credit card that donates 50 per cent of its profits to give people across the country a greener card option. The Barclaycard Breathe credit card will see Barclaycard: Donate 50 per [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/barclaycard-breathe-helps-customers-go-green.htm</link>
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		<title>F&amp;C calls for Government incentives to save</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Data published this week by the Office of National Statistics shows a significant fall in the household savings ratio. According to the ONS the household savings ratio fell from 5.3per cent in the third quarter to 3.7per cent in the last quarter of 2006, the lowest level since the end of 2004. This data comes [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/fc-calls-for-government-incentives-to-save.htm</link>
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		<title>Newcastle launches new two year fixed rate mortgage</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Newcastle Building Society has added to its mortgage range with the launch of a new two-year fixed-rate mortgage at a market-leading rate of 5.22% until 30th April 2009. The product offers 95% Loan to Value (LTV) and is not subject to any higher lending charges up to 90% LTV. Key Product Details: 5.22% fixed until [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/newcastle-launches-new-two-year-fixed-rate-mortgage.htm</link>
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		<title>Alliance &amp; Leicester launches new fixed rate mortgage deals</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Alliance &#038; Leicester is launching a highly competitive new range of mortgages, which are available from Monday 2 April and include: Two Year Fixed Rate (rate reduced) 4.99% (7.2% APR) fixed until 30 April 2009, then Standard Variable Rate (currently 7.39%) Customers can borrow up to 95% of the property value Product fee &#8211; £999 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/alliance-leicester-launches-new-fixed-rate-mortgage-deals.htm</link>
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		<title>Bradford &amp; Bingley launches range of 10-year fixed rate mortgages</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Bradford &#038; Bingley has launched a range of 10-year fixed rate mortgages that carry early repayment charges for the first five years of the mortgage term only. The range is ideal for customers looking for a highly competitive long-term fixed rate that offers them the flexibility to move penalty-free after five years if they need [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/bradford-bingley-launches-range-of-10-year-fixed-rate-mortgages.htm</link>
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		<title>Saga cautions drivers to hide car keys when in the house</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Over 50s expert, Saga Motor Insurance, has sounded a warning to the nation’s drivers after their research revealed that one in ten car owners still keep their car keys on a key rack visible from outside the house, making them an open target for thieves. Saga’s study on attitudes towards key security shows that the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/saga-cautions-drivers-to-hide-car-keys-when-in-the-house.htm</link>
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		<title>Unnecessary emergency vet visits cost businesses £19 million</title>
		<description><![CDATA[British businesses are losing out to the tune of £19 million a year as workers take time off for unnecessary emergency vet visits. According to new research by pet insurer MORE TH>N, over one in three pet owners (37 per cent) took time away from work to rush their pet to the vet, lying to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/unnecessary-emergency-vet-visits-cost-businesses-19-million.htm</link>
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		<title>Urgent action needed to lift millions out of fuel poverty</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The National Consumer Council (NCC) and energywatch recently warned the government and the energy industry that time is fast running out to eradicate a Victorian affliction that still haunts our affluent 21st century society. While all eyes are on the government’s imminent energy white paper, and its big-picture plans for future energy policy, almost four [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/general/urgent-action-needed-to-lift-millions-out-of-fuel-poverty.htm</link>
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		<title>Threats to free banking have delayed OFT ruling</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Office of Fair Trading’s delay on announcing limits on bank charges is an acknowledgement that a clampdown on fees could mean an end to free banking for all, leading financial research company Defaqto believes. Defaqto’s Head of Banking David Black considers that any cap on charges is now likely to be set higher than [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/threats-to-free-banking-have-delayed-oft-ruling.htm</link>
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		<title>The new MBNA Rewards Platinum American Express Credit Card</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As our lives get busier and busier and we have less time for ourselves to do the things we enjoy, it’s good to know there’s somebody we can turn to when we need to sort out our personal lives. MBNA has launched the new MBNA Rewards Platinum American Express Credit Card offering a series of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/the-new-mbna-rewards-platinum-american-express-credit-card.htm</link>
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		<title>February mortgage lending highest on record</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Gross mortgage lending had its highest February ever at £24.6 billion according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Although lending was down by 7% on the £26.6 billion recorded in January, it is up by 9% on the £22.5 billion of lending in February last year. Commenting on today&#8217;s data, CML Director General Michael Coogan [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/february-mortgage-lending-highest-on-record.htm</link>
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		<title>Take the worry out of investing by saving regularly</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Invesco Perpetual is urging customers to limit their investment risk by saving regularly either through its monthly savings plan or phased investment option. Rick White, Marketing Director, Invesco Perpetual says: &#8220;With tax year end approaching, this is a good time for investors to look at their 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 tax year investment strategy, both in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/take-the-worry-out-of-investing-by-saving-regularly.htm</link>
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		<title>Motorists missing the opportunity to save environment and money</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With a ‘green’ Budget expected from Gordon Brown later this month, new research from Alliance &#038; Leicester Personal Loans reveals that motorists are missing out on an opportunity to save the environment through their choice of car. Despite an expected increase in taxes on ‘gas-guzzlers’ and environment-busting vehicles, only 2% of motorists are planning their [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/loans/motorists-missing-the-opportunity-to-save-environment-and-money.htm</link>
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		<title>Garden theft expected to soar as British summertime starts</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With the clocks set to go forward this Sunday (March 25th) marking the official start of British summertime, homeowners are eager to get outside and enjoy their gardens. But before they pull out the patio furniture, Halifax Home Insurance advises them to take steps to protect their homes from opportunistic garden thieves. Last year, Halifax [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/general/garden-theft-expected-to-soar-as-british-summertime-starts.htm</link>
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		<title>Banks&#8217; commitment to financial inclusion continues</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The BBA continues to highlight the banking sector’s commitment to increasing the number of consumers being provided with access to the financial system. Latest statistics show that on average, over 150,000 basic bank accounts are being set up each quarter. The fourth quarter of 2006 saw a net total (accounts opened less accounts closed) of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/banks-commitment-to-financial-inclusion-continues.htm</link>
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		<title>Lloyds TSB calls on &#8216;phone alerts&#8217; to tackle rising tide of card fraud</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lloyds TSB is stepping up the fight against card fraud, becoming the first UK bank to introduce automated telephone alerts to warn customers of suspicious transactions on their current accounts. The announcement comes as APACS reveals that cases of counterfeit fraud, where cards are cloned, have risen by three per cent, while card not present [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/lloyds-tsb-calls-on-phone-alerts-to-tackle-rising-tide-of-card-fraud.htm</link>
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		<title>Heading into your Golden Years on a Harley</title>
		<description><![CDATA[AA Insurance reveals the trend for Granny Bikers. It’s official…the days of Hell’s Angels and leather clad bikers are numbered and in their place is a new breed of biker &#8211; chicks who are more silver surfer than busty blonde. An AA Insurance survey released today announces that more than a than a fifth of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/heading-into-your-golden-years-on-a-harley.htm</link>
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		<title>Balance Transfers on Multiple Credit Cards</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Some lines of thought have suggested it may be able to strengthen an individual credit score by transferring a credit card balance onto multiple cards. I.e. a £5,000 balance transferred across 5 cards by putting £1000 on each. This may not actually be advisable be advisable in the UK. In the US there is something [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/credit-card-information/balance-transfers-on-multiple-credit-cards.htm</link>
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		<title>Choose Credit Cards, Choose Loans.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Choose the possibility of 12 months less of repayments and hundreds of pounds less interest. When considering the option of transferring a credit card balance onto another credit card to take advantage of a 0% offer or taking out a loan to consolidate the credit card debt it pays to sit down and do the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/choose-credit-cards-choose-loans.htm</link>
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		<title>Exit fee deadline day for lenders</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today marks the deadline, set by the FSA, for providers to announce their decision regarding mortgage exit fees. Commenting on this Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at moneysupermarket.com, said: “Today is crunch time as lenders make their exit fee charging structures clear – and early news is good for borrowers. “So far all of the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/exit-fee-deadline-day-for-lenders.htm</link>
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		<title>Double win for switchers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Customers of the Big 4 High Street banks now have two more reasons to switch their current account to Halifax. From 5th February, Halifax is increasing the rate of credit interest on its High Interest Current Account to 6% Gross (6.17% AER), for new and existing account holders. From the same day, Halifax will be [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/double-win-for-switchers.htm</link>
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		<title>Switch to Alliance &amp; Leicester’s premier current account and receive 7% on a linked premier ISA</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A new Alliance &#038; Leicester Premier ISA account paying 7.00% pa gross/AER is being launched for customers opening an Alliance &#038; Leicester Premier Current Account and will be available for a limited period only. This follows the very successful Premier Regular Saver offer, which was closed on 7 February 2007. Other previous offers have included [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/switch-to-alliance-leicesters-premier-current-account-and-receive-7-on-a-linked-premier-isa.htm</link>
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		<title>More good news for borrowers and savers from Nationwide</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Following the recent launch of its new Regular Savings Account and highly competitive Fixed Rate Bonds and Fixed Rate ISA Bonds, Nationwide Building Society has today announced a number of further initiatives to reward both loyal borrowers and savers. These all form part of a series of member value initiatives that will be unveiled over [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/more-good-news-for-borrowers-and-savers-from-nationwide.htm</link>
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		<title>Lloyds move to implement £35 fee for credit card customers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lloyds latest move to implement a £35 fee for credit card customers that ‘display low usage’ is set to generate a total income of £1.79 million. Nick White, Director of Financial Services at price comparison and switching website uSwitch.com comments: “It has been a turbulent week for banks with continued rumblings that free banking could [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/lloyds-move-to-implement-35-fee-for-credit-card-customers.htm</link>
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		<title>Currency Trading – What You Need to Know</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Currency trading has taken the country by storm – and with good reason. Conducted online, the pace of foreign currency trading is fast (deals can be completed in seconds) and furious. With the advent of mini-forex accounts, it’s become incredibly easy to get into the market. You can get started with a Forex mini account [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/stock-market-and-share-trading-articles/currency-trading-what-you-need-to-know.htm</link>
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		<title>Debt Problems and Debt Help &amp; Advice &#8211; Questions Answered</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Over-spending and high borrowings can be a big problem, as the latest Personal Credit Index survey from CreditExpert.co.uk recently found. Around 25 per cent of couples argue about finances and one in 20 split up after rows about money. Jim Hodgkins, managing director of CreditExpert.co.uk answers some of the most common financial worries. I owe [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/debt-help.htm</link>
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		<title>How can you improve your credit score?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Lenders use credit scores to assess the risk that you will not repay what you owe. A credit score is a mathematical calculation based on information from two main sources your credit report and your application. Each piece of information is allocated a value and each lender uses its own formula to calculate a number [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/how-can-you-improve-your-credit-score.htm</link>
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		<title>Is an IVA an easy way out of debt?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is one of many solutions for people who are in debt and are struggling to make payments. If you’re at the point where you owe so much money that you are struggling to pay even the interest on them, then an IVA is a solution that you may want to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/articles/debt-information-and-articles/is-an-iva-an-easy-way-out-of-debt.htm</link>
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		<title>GE Money Home Lending reacts to growth markets</title>
		<description><![CDATA[GE Money Home Lending has refreshed its igroup and First National product ranges, in response to recent market developments and to make home ownership and property investment more accessible and convenient to borrowers. igroup is aligning other aspects of its proposition in Northern Ireland to those of the rest of the UK. This will allow [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/mortgages/ge-money-home-lending-reacts-to-growth-markets.htm</link>
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		<title>Ever increasing debt circles</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The majority of people who take out a loan to consolidate debt then take on more debt and struggle with the consequences. Research commissioned by price comparison website moneysupermarket.com reveals more than 13 million Brits (28 per cent) have taken out a loan to consolidate some or all of their existing borrowing. However, the statistics [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/loans/ever-increasing-debt-circles.htm</link>
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		<title>Steady trend in rising premiums</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Sainsbury’s Car Insurance Index which tracks online premiums over a six month period, reveals that during 2006, there was a steady trend of rising car insurance premiums. In January 2006, the average premium was £462.72, by July this had risen to £466.63 and by the end of the year it had reached £472.52. Over [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/steady-trend-in-rising-premiums.htm</link>
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		<title>Act now if taking your pet away this summer</title>
		<description><![CDATA[All pet owners who would like to holiday with their pet this summer need to start the wheels rolling now, in order to make sure their pet passport comes through in time according to Halifax Pet Insurance. The process behind the documentation takes around six months from start to finish so action is required during [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/insurance/act-now-if-taking-your-pet-away-this-summer.htm</link>
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		<title>Halifax&#8217;s new Ultimate Reward Current Account</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Halifax&#8217;s new Ultimate Reward Current Account, believed to be the best value packaged current account from a major High Street bank, launches on Monday 19th February. The account will pay 6% Gross (6.17 AER) and offer benefits worth over £800 in total. Customers who switch banks to take out the Ultimate Reward Current Account, before [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/halifaxs-new-ultimate-reward-current-account.htm</link>
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		<title>uSwitch.com comments on Barclays results</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Barclays’ bumper profits announcement totalling £7.13 billion for the group (an increase of 35% since 2005) and overall write offs of £2 billion arrive amidst fears that the free banking era in the UK could soon come to an end. Nick White, Director of Financial Services at independent price comparison and switching website uSwitch.com, comments: [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/uswitchcom-comments-on-barclays-results.htm</link>
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		<title>UK leads the way in chip and PIN rollout</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Wednesday 14 February 2007 marks the one-year anniversary of PIN Day &#8211; the official change over to chip and PIN in the UK. To recognise this milestone, APACS, the UK payments association, has issued an update on the successful progress of chip and PIN. As at January 2007 APACS figures show that: More than 99.9 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/uk-leads-the-way-in-chip-and-pin-rollout.htm</link>
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		<title>February offers credit card customers a great deal</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Halifax Credit Cards has announced that its online exclusive One Card featuring 0% for 12 months on both balance transfers and purchases will be available until the end of February. The special offer One Card is only available via halifax.co.uk/creditcards and features: 0% for 12 months on balance transfers and purchases (3% balance transfer fee [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.creditmarket.co.uk/news/credit-cards/february-offers-credit-card-customers-a-great-deal.htm</link>
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		<title>The AA Motor Insurance Voted Top in Industry</title>
		<description><![CDATA[
