press release

Press Release - 14/07/05

CREDIT RATING AT RISK WHEN CONSUMERS SWITCH CURRENT ACCOUNT, WARNS MONEYNET

Changing current accounts can play havoc with credit histories – and give consumers more headaches than benefits, says Moneynet

AS Barclays Bank turns up the current account heat with the launch this week of a new, features-laden current account, online financial data analysis company Moneynet (www.moneynet.co.uk) warns consumers to look before they switch.

"On the face of it, the new current account offering from Barclays looks attractive,” said Moneynet chief executive Richard Brown.

“The bank has admitted it wants to poach customers from its competitors by rolling out a range of benefits that it claims are worth around £1,000 a year if you take advantage of them – but we feel borrowers should be very cautious when considering switching current accounts.

“Despite what lenders say, it is nothing like as straightforward as hopping from one credit card to another, and there is a real danger that account holders can jeopardise their all- important credit rating, as one of the key questions asked by lenders as part of their credit scoring process is “how long have you held your current account?” – a short period of time with your bank could results in a reduced credit scoring.

"And there are one or two other issues with the Barclays offering: the interest free overdraft facility and the interest free Barclaycard for ten months will probably appeal to people who want interest free borrowing. But with UK consumers now in the red to the tune of around £1 trillion pounds, we feel concerned that lenders are inviting account holders to rack up yet more debt.

"If you do borrow money via this account, the sensible option is to clear the debt within the 10 months’ time frame. And borrowers should also bear in mind that there are many products on the market offering interest free credit deals for at least the same period as the Barclaycard proposition,” said Brown.

“We are likely to see a lot more accounts with bells and whistles such as this new offering from Barclays - the current account market is worth billions to the banks and is intensely competitive.

“But our view is that borrowers should examine their real reasons for switching accounts, and ask themselves whether it is worth trading customer loyalty with their existing provider for a leap into the unknown,” said Moneynet chief executive Richard Brown.

PRESS ENQUIRIES

Richard Brown, Chief Executive, 0208 313 9030

David Andrews/Cathy Tully, David Andrews Media Ltd 07941 255855 / 01273 774109 / 07747196854

Consumer enquiries: info@moneynet.co.uk / www.moneynet.co.uk

Moneynet.co.uk is the UK's longest established online personal finance research and data analyst company. The company offers consumers a choice of thousands of low cost financial services products. From mortgages, personal loans to motor, home and medical insurance, credit cards, savings accounts and best buy fixed rate products, Moneynet is one of the most comprehensive online services of its kind in the UK. Founded by chief executive Richard Brown, the Moneynet brand is destined to become one of the UK's major players in consumer finance products.

A DAVID ANDREWS MEDIA LTD - RELEASE FEBRUARY 2005