Opinion

There are some people who subscribe to the view that if all else fails then blind optimism and a refusal to look facts in the face will see them through.

It is ironic that at a time when the reputation of payment protection insurance is perhaps at its lowest ebb, the stiffening financial environment means consumers increasingly need the safeguards such cover can provide.

I travel regularly on trains and often chat with fellow passengers, usually based upon where each of us happening to be going on that particular day.

EUROPE

Is it right for the Financial Services Authority to impose harsher fines on firms not complying with its Treating Customers Fairly initiative when selling payment protection insurance?