opportunities are offered to an individual to maintain sustainable personal finances for example full range of financial
products and services available from banks, building societies and other financial services providers, such as credit
unions and friendly societies
CURRENT ACCOUNTS
Banks and building societies are the
main providers of current accounts,
which allow for the safe storage of
money
holders of current accounts can make payments using
cheques
direct debits
telephone banking
mobile banking
standing orders
debit cards
internet banking
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
customers are effectively lending money to that financial
institution, which the institution can then use to fund loans,
overdrafts and credit cards to other customers.
regular (monthly) savings accounts
notice savings accounts
fixed-term, fixed-interest savings bonds or deposit accounts
credit union savings accounts
National Savings and Investments
BORROWING PRODUCTS
If borrowing is unplanned and the borrower fails to
consider whether they will be able to afford to pay the
regular monthly payments then n borrowing can lead to
problems that might damage the sustainability of the
individual’s finances.
The main products that allow people to borrow money
overdrafts
personal loans
credit cards
store cards
mortgages
INSURANCE
General insurance – usually short term), this insurance is
designed to protect: − your home, your car and your
income and health
Life insurance – also called life
assurance, this pays out a sum of
money when someone dies
Income protection insurance provides a monthly income
to replace salary or wages if you are unable to work as a
result of illness or disability
PENSIONS
People save in pension schemes throughout their
working lives so that they will have an income in their
retirement
state pension
occupational pensions
personal pension plans
stakeholder pensions
the National Employment Savings Trust
INVESTMENTS
People put money into investment products because of
their potential to achieve very high returns. But the
promise of high returns is balanced by the increased risk
of losing some or all of the money invested.