Banking

The Bank of England has held the base rate at 5.25% for the seventh time in a row. But with some economists and traders still predicting a rate cut in August, there could be a knock on impact on mortgage and savings rates. Here's what you need to know.

If you bank with Nationwide, you could get a free £100 paid into your account this month as part of the building society's returning 'Fairer Share' scheme. The bonus will be paid to millions of its current account customers who also have savings or a mortgage with it.

The Bank of England has held the base rate at 5.25% for the sixth time in a row. But there are now stronger signs that a rate cut might be coming soon – which could have a knock on impact on mortgage and savings rates. Here's what you need to know.

TSB will shut at least 36 of its branches in 2024 and 2025, the bank has announced. Below we list the branches disappearing and what the alternatives are if you still want face-to-face banking.

Over 4,700 people have signed a petition calling on Nationwide – a building society owned by its customers, who are known as members – to let them vote on its decision to buy rival lender Virgin Money. The petition argues there's "no guarantee" the proposed £2.9 billion deal will benefit members "in any way", though Nationwide says the move will enable it to offer "better mortgages and savings rates".

NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank, which are all part of the NatWest Group, will shut at least 100 of their bank branches in 2024/25, after the Group announced a further 18 RBS closures.

The Bank of England has held the base rate at 5.25% for the fifth time in a row. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn.

If you're a Chase customer, you'll soon need to pay in at least £1,500 a month to qualify for its 1% debit card cashback offer. But depending on when you signed up, this change won't take effect immediately – and you can work around it if you'll spend less than £1,500 each month.

Barclays will shut at least another 99 bank branches throughout 2024 and 2025 after announcing 22 more closures. This is in addition to the 177 branches it closed in 2023. Below we list the branches disappearing and what the alternatives are if you still want face-to-face banking.

The Bank of England held the base rate at 5.25% for the fourth time in a row on Thursday 1 February. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn.