Co-op issues festive tips for loans and credit cards

A leading high street bank has issued debt and credit card advice to help consumers manage their personal finance during the Christmas period - and b

15:44 22 December 2004

A leading high street bank has issued debt and credit card advice to help consumers manage their personal finance during the Christmas period - and beyond.

The Co-operative Bank is offering consumers suggestions designed to help them avoid a festive financial hangover.

Short-term advice consists of not letting debt build up during the Christmas period - it won't go away by simply forgetting about it. The Co-op also advises that consumers could benefit from checking out consolidation loans as a way of getting a better debt management deal.

If consumers have problems in controlling their credit cards - hide them - that way there is no chance of adding to debts that may already exist.

Long-term financial solutions are also important; the Co-op states that by working out a budget consumers can accurately assess their income and expenditure.

Sheila Macdonald, chief operating officer at the Co-operative Bank, said: "People often make resolutions at this time of year, and it is the perfect time to make some serious decisions about your financial future.

"Taking simple steps, like transferring to a credit card provider that offers a cheaper borrowing rate than your existing provider will save you money if you don't pay off your balance every month."

Ms Macdonald added: "You should also consider consolidating credit card debts by taking out a personal loan, which gives you fixed repayment terms. Long term, by putting some money away each month into savings, you can soon build up a tidy sum."