Consumers Get No Help From Insurance Companies With Petrol Thieves

Increasing numbers of consumers across the UK are finding themselves victims of petrol thieves, and there is little that can be done in terms of recompense from insurance companies. A rash of damaged petrol tanks, pried up to release fuel, have been splashed all over the news, but according to insurance companies, there is little assistance that they can offer their customers.

Despite having car insurance these consumers are finding that petrol thefts are not covered by their usual policy. While there are a few insurance providers that do offer this kind of coverage, the vast majority view it as a nuisance only, refusing to offer assistance. This has left many consumers desperate to find new ways to protect their cars and their petrol.

The best method is undoubtedly securing a vehicle in a locked garage. For thousands however, that is not an option, and they are left with few choices. Consumer advocates are pushing for the inclusion of fuel theft in car insurance coverage, but for now, the only option may be to make it easier for thieves to get at tanks by removing lockable filler caps, reducing the risk for damage to the rest of the car as thieves drill through the tanks themselves to get at the fuel.

As petrol thefts continue to make insurance news and the costs continue to rise, experts are advising consumers to put aside an emergency fund of their own to cover any potential damage, in addition to taking the proper steps to secure their vehicles. This certainly is not the best solution for most, especially for those on a limited budget, but until insurance coverage is available, there is little choice in the matter – especially when most policy excesses out-way the value of your typical car’s petrol capacity anyway.

About the Company: No Claims Discount offers consumers the opportunity to get real pricing from real insurance companies, without all the hassles. Thousands of customers have been able to find the right insurance plan thanks to their efforts. By offering consumers real world information about insurance policies, the site provides a valuable, unique service that is unmatched.

Crescent State Bank Community Banker Named President Of Kiwanis Club Of Apex

Michael G. Carlton, president of Crescent State Bank (www.crescentstatebank.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Market SM), has announced that Betty Crump, community banker for the bank’s Apex branch, has been named president of the Kiwanis Club of Apex. The club meets weekly to discuss programs and upcoming events in the community. Crump will be responsible for planning and carrying out club activities to better serve the citizens and children of Apex.

Kiwanis International is one of the largest service organizations in the world, devoted to enriching the lives of people across the globe. The Kiwanis Club of Apex was started in 1989 and seeks to provide a better quality of life for members of the Apex community.

Related Links:
www.crescentstatebank.com
www.mmimarketing.com
www.apexkiwanis.org

News Facts:
• Michael G. Carlton, president of Crescent State Bank (www.crescentstatebank.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation (NASDAQ Global Market SM), has announced that Betty Crump, community banker for the bank’s Apex branch, has been named president of the Kiwanis Club of Apex.
• The club meets weekly to discuss programs and upcoming events in the community.
• Crump will be responsible for planning and carrying out club activities to better serve the citizens and children of Apex.
• Kiwanis International is one of the largest service organizations in the world, devoted to enriching the lives of people across the globe.
• The Kiwanis Club of Apex was started in 1989 and seeks to provide a better quality of life for members of the Apex community.

Quotes:
“We are excited that Betty has been named president of the Kiwanis Club of Apex,” said Carlton. “This will be an opportunity for her to lead and direct this commendable organization to better serve our community and its children.”

About Crescent State Bank:
Crescent State Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation. The bank has total assets of $955.5 million, deposits of $711.6 million, and net loans of $759.1 million as of Sept. 30, 2008. The bank operates 13 full-service banking offices in the communities of Cary (2), Apex, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Sanford, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Raleigh, Knightdale and Wilmington (2), North Carolina. For more information, visit www.crescentstatebank.com.

M&S Money offers Credit Card Holders the Chance to become an M&S Points Millionaire

M&S Money have announced that customers who hold a credit card with the financial services company will automatically be entered into the draw to become an M&S Points Millionaire.

Customers can be entered into the draw by either buying one or more selected products from M&S Money, registering to manage their account online, and/or opting to stop receiving paper statements. Customers who purchase insurance, travel money, personal loans or make an investment with M&S Money stand a chance of winning.

As well as the one million M&S points on offer, five runner up prizes of 100,000 M&S points, worth £10,000 each, are also available to be won.

Andy Ripley, Deputy Chief Executive of M&S Money commented, “Following on from the success of our first millionaire prize draw earlier this year, we’ve extended the prize draw to include a wider range of products and ways to enter. Not only can our customers bag themselves some quality products but they also have a chance of winning 1 million points, worth £10,000, and really reap the rewards of their M&S cards.”

M&S Money are also offering five runners up prices of 100,000 points worth £1,000 to be spent in store.

This is a limited offer, between and including the dates of 4 September 2008 and 29 October 2008. The winners will be drawn at random on 21 November 2008.

About M&S Money
M&S Money (originally called Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc. The company is now a top-ten credit card provider and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers insurance for homes, cars, travel, pets and weddings, as well as loans, savings and investments.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations with over 9,500 offices in 85 countries and territories. The business continues to operate under the M&S Money brand, with an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.

Lloyds TSB Launches Next Generation of Mobile Phone Banking

Lloyds TSB has become the first bank in the UK to offer a range of banking services allowing customers to monitor and manage their money on a mobile phone.

The new Lloyds TSB Mobile Services are unique in giving customers the ability to move money instantly between accounts through a Mobile Banking application and receive text messages about their finances.

Mobile Services allows customers to securely move money between their Lloyds TSB accounts on their mobile phone. They will also be able to view their account balances, check their last six transactions and receive a wide range of text alerts, to keep them up-to-date with their finances.

The new service will also include an Overseas Transaction Alert. Subscribers will receive an alert if their debit card is used to withdraw cash from a cashpoint or to make a purchase abroad. This alert is designed to give customers control and peace of mind in always knowing what is happening on their savings or current accounts.

Lloyds TSB has four million customers registered for its Internet Banking service and new research2 shows that nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of people use Internet Banking to keep track of their finances.

However, the research also reveals that two thirds (60 per cent) want to be able to keep tabs on their accounts using their mobile phone, while half (53 per cent) want to be able to actively move money between accounts. Over a third (36 per cent) say that being able to manage their money in this way would help them to keep a closer eye on their finances.

Catherine McGrath, director of current accounts, Lloyds TSB said: “Technology is evolving at lightning speed and with these changes come new demands from our customers and new possibilities for products and services to meet their needs.”

The research highlighted the growing trend for mobile phones to be used for a range of purposes other than phone calls. Eight out of ten (81 per cent) say they send or receive texts; more than half (57 per cent) use their phone as a camera; a third (36 per cent) use it as a diary; a quarter listen to the radio through their phones; and a fifth (19 per cent) access the Internet.

Catherine McGrath adds, “Gone are the days when we used our phones only to call friends and family. Mobile phones are now part of our daily lives in a way few would have imagined just a few years ago. Just as Internet banking has taken the country by storm over the past decade, mobile banking is now set to change the way we mange our money.”
>
“Many customers are already used to the idea of keeping tabs on their bank account using a mobile phone, but we’re launching the next generation of mobile banking that allows people to stay in real control of their money wherever they are.”

About Lloyds TSB:
Lloyds TSB offers customers a wide range of current accounts, savings accounts, insurance, loans and credit cards, designed to meet different customers’ needs.

Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Lloyds TSB Scotland plc are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and signatories to the Banking Codes. Lloyds TSB Bank plc Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN . Registered in England and Wales no. 2065.

Crescent State Bank Names Commercial Loan Officer

Michael G. Carlton, president of Crescent State Bank (www.crescentstatebank.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation, (NASDAQ Global Market SM), has announced that Nikki Clemmons has been named commercial loan officer for the bank’s Wilmington office. In this position, Clemmons will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective personal business relations with clients, as well as serving as a primary point of contact for all business banking products and portfolio offerings.

Clemmons joins Crescent State Bank with more than four years of experience in the banking industry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in applied and resource economics from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Clemmons is an active member of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. A native of Hallsboro, N.C., she resides in Lake Waccamaw, N.C.

Related Links:
www.crescentstatebank.com
www.mmimarketing.com

News Facts:

• Michael G. Carlton, president of Crescent State Bank (www.crescentstatebank.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation, (NASDAQ Global Market SM), has announced that Nikki Clemmons has been named commercial loan officer for the bank’s Wilmington office.
• In this position, Clemmons will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective personal business relations with clients, as well as serving as a primary point of contact for all business banking products and portfolio offerings.
• Clemmons joins Crescent State Bank with more than four years of experience in the banking industry.
• She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in applied and resource economics from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.
• Clemmons is an active member of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Quotes:
“Nikki brings an exceptional range of abilities to Crescent State Bank,” Carlton said. “Her background will help expand our customer base and plan successful strategies to promote our newest bank products.”

About Crescent State Bank:
Crescent State Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Financial Corporation. The bank has total assets of $881.1 million, deposits of $653.2 million, and net loans of $702.1 million as of March 31, 2008. The bank operates 13 full-service banking offices in the communities of Cary (2), Apex, Clayton, Garner, Holly Springs, Sanford, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Raleigh, Knightdale and Wilmington (2), North Carolina. For more information, visit www.crescentstatebank.com.

Emerald acquires Accounting Research Journal

Providing a valuable forum for communication between the profession and academics on the research and practice of accounting, finance, auditing and commercial law, it will continue to be edited by Professor Christine Ryan, Head of Accounting at the Queensland University of Technology.

Cathy Mostyn, Director of Acquisitions at Emerald, comments: “This well-respected and established title is a welcome addition to Emerald’s already extensive accounting and finance portfolio, which is one of the largest collections with one article being downloaded every minute.” Other titles in the portfolio include Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Journal of Risk Finance and Pacific Accounting Review.

Aimed at both academics and practitioners, the Accounting Research Journal covers a broad scope of discipline areas, including accounting, finance and auditing, commercial law and cognate disciplines, as well as profitability and earnings.

Of interest to accounting, finance and management researchers, educators, practitioners and policy makers, the journal encourages articles with both a practical and academic focus.

The journal is published by Emerald from volume 21, issue 1 (2008) and it is available in print and electronic formats.

For more information about the Accounting Research Journal, visit http://info.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=arj

About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.com

Established in 1967, Emerald Group Publishing Limited is the world’s leading publisher of management research. In total, Emerald publishes over 700 titles, comprising 200 journals, nearly 300 books and more than 200 book series as well as an extensive range of online products and services. Emerald is COUNTER-compliant, meeting the international code of practice for reports that measure usage of online information products and services consistently.

Emerald’s publishing philosophy is “Research You Can Use”, which means that our content is both rigorous and relevant, connecting the academic world with the world of management practice.

The Emerald online collection of journals, abstracts and resources, Emerald Management Xtra, serves business schools and management departments world-wide. For managers in corporate and public organizations, Emerald Management First provides fast access to applied research, ideas, insights and interviews from the world’s best management thinkers.

Barclaycard is Britain’s Most Powerful Credit Card Brand

Barclaycard was the most powerful credit card brand in the UK 2007 according to the latest Issuer Brand Index

Barclaycard was the most powerful credit card brand in the UK in 2007 according to the Issuer Brand Index (IBI) monitored in Cardbeat, a syndicated market research tracking study run by the Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG). This study considers the strength of the brand to be driven by a combination of card ownership and usage, perceived brand quality, brand awareness, and general brand characteristics. The study evaluates the strength of 17 top UK credit card brands.

Highlights from the latest study include:
-Barclaycard reported as the most powerful UK credit card issuer brand beating Capital One into second spot. Barclaycard’s top position came as a result of having the highest brand awareness and second highest card usage ratings in our study. Wide card ownership also contributed to Barclaycard capturing the number one spot.
- Lloyds TSB’s customers have higher outstanding balances and use their card more for purchases than any other brand included in the study.
- Marks and Spencer’s card brand holds the top spot driven by perceived high quality and general brand characteristics but languishes at number 11 spot in the research due to its low card usage and moderate brand awareness.
- Egg’s card brand was at number 3 in terms of general brand characteristics, just behind the Co-op and Marks & Spencer’s card brand.
- MBNA and Barclaycard’s card brands are joint first in card ownership market share but there is a marked difference in usage and brand awareness.
- The least widely held card brand tracked in the study was issued by the Post Office

Matt Simester, Director at Auriemma Consulting Group commented, “As the credit crunch continues to dominate the consumer agenda, a powerful brand is critical to maintaining high quality recruitment and retention. While consumers with a poor credit history will find it hard to move issuer, those with stronger credit histories will demand better quality propositions from their current provider. Pressure to reduce costs of servicing, higher average APRs and lower investment into marketing may also impact perceived brand quality this year. I anticipate that there will be a different set of winners and losers at the end of 2008.”

About Barclaycard
Barclaycard is a multi-brand credit card and loans business which also processes card payments for retailers and merchants and issues charge and credit cards to corporate customers and the UK Government. It is one of Europe’s leading credit card businesses and has an increasing presence in the United States.

In the UK, Barclaycard comprises Barclaycard, Sky Card, Thomas Cook and Argos branded credit cards and FIRSTPLUS secured lending. Barclaycard also manages card operations on behalf of Solution Personal Finance.

###

Issuer Brand Index Methodology
The Issuer Brand Index is designed to capture brand strength of top UK card issuers in 4 separate categories:
Card Usage – Captures share of usage in terms of spending volume and reported outstanding balances
Brand Awareness – Represents familiarity with the issuer’s brand name
Quality – The perceived quality of the product and customer service provided
Brand Characteristics – perceptions of the brand by both existing customers and non-owners

World First launches blog

World First, one of the UK’s leading foreign exchange brokers is launching The Xchange, a currency research blog where readers can get up to date information on the currency markets.

Regular postings to the The Xchange include daily market updates and a weekly updates for sterling and the Australian and New Zealand dollar. In true blog style, readers are invited to comment on the content and the expectation is that the blog will generate ongoing dialogue concerning the foreign currency markets.

Jeremy Cook, chief economist and author of the weekly and daily updates says, “We have been sending out the updates by email for almost three years now and have always had readers responding with questions. Setting up the blog seemed the obvious next step so our readers can share opinions on what they think will happen in the market, what they think is reflected in the major crosses and where they expect the market to go next. Giving readers the opportunity to contribute to the site will only add to its richness, as a source of information.”

To visit The Xchange follow the link:

http://www.worldfirst.com/blog/

World First is a currency exchange broker, serving both private and corporate clients. Set up in 2004 by directors Jonathan Quin and Nick Robinson, the company is experiencing very fast growth and now employs over 50 people in two offices (London, UK and Hamilton, New Zealand).

Private clients largely use broker services to purchase a property abroad, usually a second home or investment or to emigrate.

World First’s corporate clients are generally import or export companies, making regular transfers. We help them minimise their exchange rate risk and manage their currency exposure.