The financial regulator has proposed forcing banks and other regulated firms to be more transparent and reveal how many customer complaints they receive... the view being that the threat of being named and shamed will make banks pull up their socks when it comes to dealing with complaints.

But banks are likely to object, especially those that fear harsh media comment.

In the meantime, Moneywise wants to know what you think about the complaint procedures of banks or other firms you have dealt with… how quickly was your complaint answered, did you get a good resolution or even compensation? Or were you left with little more but a standard apology?

As expected, the banks have appealed the High Court's April ruling that allowed the OFT to potentially cap charges on unauthorised overdraft usage.

The case is likely to be heard by the Court of Appeal before the end of 2008 - but it could take years to resolve, meaning people entitled to refunds have a long wait on their hands. And in the meantime, more and more people are being hit with fines up to £30 for going overdrawn without permission.

But is there any point to this court case? After all, if the OFT wins, then customers still stand to lose out as banks will recoup their losses elsewhere.

And while banks are paying for the cost of the court case, surely the balloon effect means us consumers will end up footing the bill at the end of the day?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b9e625ae-faa8-11dc-aa46-000077b07658.html

If F/P is possible to be sold I just wonder at the possible ramifications for policy holders.

I hold an endowment policy with them and am not sure if I should be whooping with joy or sobbing into my cornflakes.

Not even sure if I am considered a shareholder.

What do you guys think?

Is there a polite way to ask for a pay rise when your company is not doing all that well? I work in financial services (but not with the big pay packet!) and my employer has been hurt by credit-crunch etc... thing is, all my bills seems to be increasing on a weeky basis and my pay has not increased to reflect this, am worried about redundancy as rumours circulating that this is on the cards, but am sure the senor management team are booasting theeir own salaries more than us workers. Any tips - not jsut on the pay front but also how to survive the rising cost of just about everything?

hmmmm, difficult one. PErsonally i think the government needs to do every thing it can to encourage marriage seeing its acknowledged that married couples ar less likely to break up and their children do better at school.

But this comes down to legal status. married couples and gay couples have higher legal status than other couples -this seems wrong and not very democratic... But what is the point of marriage if not to cement your legal standing? Oh and love of course!!!!

And another thing. Why is it people always assume that the woman will be left worst off than the man - there are plenty of high earning woman out there who wouldn't think twic about taking an ex-partners money! There called golddiggers! My ex was one!

My daughter has returned to work a year after our grandson was born. She has opted for her son to go to nursery for part of the week but she thinks that the availability of childcare vouchers is limited by her joint income with her husband. It would be helpful to know if this is the case and where the rules are laid down. Can anyone offer advice?