High-risk home loans, once dubbed ticking timebombs by the City watchdog, are back on sale - but this time with a safety net attached.
A quarter of UK bank customers have experienced problems with their account in the past 12 months, according to a survey by consumer group Which?.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has reassured savers with Northern Rock plc and new owner Virgin Money that account holders will have separate cover at each of the two banks.
The FSA today confirmed the merger between the Yorkshire Building Society and its smaller rival Norwich & Peterborough(N&P) which will complete on 1 November.