November 30, 2008
Contactless cards get popular
Story link: Contactless cards get popular
As mentioned previously, I think its slightly unprofessional to resort back to historic methods of contactless card processing. The last thing you want to be finding out is that your card has been used countless times because it had been lost, and was able to be used in contactless card processing units.
Barclaycard has claimed that its contactless cards are proving popular with consumers, after the credit card provider issued the millionth card today.
The cards enable shoppers to buy items worth less than £10 without the need to sign or enter their pin number.
Pret A Manger to go contactless
Story link: Pret A Manger to go contactless
If you are one of the more reputable brands, and doing very well even with the state of the current economy, then you should give your customers enough time to protect their security.
I think that’s it’s a one step forward, two step backwards approach.
The UK adopted the Chip and Pin, which we are all used too, and quite happy with. Yes its slightly long winded and can be a pain when your denied access, but at the same time, it offers the sense of security for customers.
Pret A Manger to go contactless
Barclaycard has announced that another well-known high street retailer, Pret A Manger, has decided to embrace its contactless card technology.
Pret A Manger now joins Yo! Sushi, Coffee Republic and EAT on the list of food outlets that allow users to pay with their contactless Barclaycards.
Solid investment
Story link: Solid investment
A very impressive proposition for any investor, so it’s likely to be full by deadline date or closed off early for applicants. Any company offering 100% security and returns of that kind must have a very stable plan and solid vision.
Legal & General has announced the launch of its Growth Investment Plan Plus 17, which is aimed at individual investors.
According to Legal & General the plan guarantees investors 100 per cent capital protection at maturity and a return of 150 per cent of any capital growth in the FTSE 100 Index over the investment term, which is six years.
RBS is the taxpayers
Story link: RBS is the taxpayers
And in reward for taking over the banks, using our own cash, we get rate cuts; great!
I think it gives a clear indication of the strength of a bank based investment when you see that investors bought just 0.2 percent of the stock offered!
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has officially become the property of the tax payer, after the government used public money to buy a 58 per cent share.
Emirates and Germany, has announced it is to acquire a 30 per cent stake in Malaysian life business, following a deal with AmAssurance.
Nationwide Savings to be cut
Story link: Nationwide Savings to be cut
This isn’t really a reward for being a loyal customer to Halifax at all. It definitely wont persuade many people to put their money in the banks.
I think what it might mean though, is that people that don’t leave pay cheque by pay cheque, might look at alternatives means of storage for their money, ie: investments. This in turn could inject some much needed capital into the UK economy.
Nationwide has announced that it will cut the rates of interest offered to savers using its savings accounts.
The building society said that interest rates across all its savings and bank accounts would be reduced by an average of 1.44 per cent, though the rates on some individual savings accounts will be cut by as much as 1.6 per cent.