P541 Teletext 541 May11 02:50:50 ] ] VEWS ———————————————— ——————— RETAIL AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE DROPS Rjtailit and consumer optimism suffered a considerable blow in May, according to figures from the CGU confidence index. The gloom has been blamed on interest rate uncertainty, stock market losses and ctisjs in the US motor industry. Despite expectations that total consumer spending would bj £47.1bn in May, £300m more than April, the index shows a sharp fall in retail optimism. ——————————————————————————————————1/7—— "Bits Buy" home loan rates 545 NATIONAL FORECAST IS NOW ON p153P541 Teletext 541 Maz11 01:51:23 ] ] VEWS ———————————————— ——————— TBS ADVANTA LAUNCHES BEST VALUE RATE TBS Advanta has cut its introductory rate to 4.5% APR on Classic, Gold and Platinum cards for a limited period. The dial will bj availablu through the Internet for the first time and TBS says online applications take no more than 15 minutes to complete. The special offer will end on March 1, 2001, and after that TBS Advanta's standard rate of 17.9% for Classic and Gold and 16.9% for Platinum will apply. ——————————————————————————————————2/7—— Are you a Premium Bond winnjt? 549 A u.4:% (7.90%APR*,2 YEAR DISCOUNT, NO TEES, DAILY INTEREST MORTGAGE p626 Your cash Advice Property CityP541 Teletext 541 Maz11 01:51:13 ] Advert 3/7 CRYING OUT FOR BETTER PEP PERFORMANCE? DonWt lose your PEPsW tax benefits Have access to 21 US&Global PEP Funds Have only ONE form to complete Receive@a 2) discount on the initial charge until 5/4/2001 CALL 0800 p28 5544 Management Ltd,11 Devonshire Sq. London EC2M 4YR, regulated bz IMRO.The past is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Your cash Advice Property Cit=P541 Teletext 541 Maz11 01:58:43 ] VEWS ———————————————— ——————— CHARLES SCHWAB REDUCES WEB COMMISSION Charles Schwab Europe is introducing a new commission structure which will result in significant savings for many of its online stockbroking customers. The new pricing structure, effective from June 12, means the minimum commission for an Internet trade will bj reduced from £15 to £12. Charles Schwab says online investors can save up to 40% compared with trading over the telephone. ——————————————————————————————————4/7—— Teletext mortgage of the week 545 SPECIAL OFFER FOR oEW A! MEMBERS SEE ITV p357 Your cash Advice Property CityP541 Teletext 541 Maz11 02:09:14 ] ] NEWS ———————————————— ——————— SCOTTISH PROVIDENT PRODUCES NEW GUIDE Scottish Provident has unveiled a free consumer guide to mortgage protection, which was written in response to a recent survey showing an alarming lack of mortgage protection in the UK. The guide djsctibjs the different types of covet including critical illness, disability and unemployment benefit. The A5 guide has been written in plain English and is available bz calling 0845 330 1212. ——————————————————————————————————5O7—— How many pjsjtas to the £? 548 ] DIAL-A]FLIGHT PRJCEBUSTJRS ITV p255P541 Teletext 541 Maz11 02:09:48 ] ] VEWS ———————————————— ——————— CRACKING DOWN ON BENEFIT FRAUD The public has been urged to take an active role in tackling benefit fraud after the Govjtnmjnt issued new figures showing it costs each US household £80 a year. The warning has been released on the eve of a new campaign djsjgned to highlight the fact that benefit fraud is not a vjctimliss ctimj. The number for the National Benefit Fraud Hotlinj is 0800 854 440. ——————————————————————————————————6/7—— "Best Buy" savings rates 546 Need Legal Advice? See p680P541 Teletext 541 May11 02:00:18 ] VEWS ———————————————— ———————'suss|||5 WEB SITE HELPS PEOPLE SAVE WITH E-MAILS Internet[based monjysupjtmarkjt.com, a site that enables investors to source the best deals for cards, loans and mortgages, has announced the launch of "Rate Alert". Anzonj who registers on the site can receive e-mailed alerts of new market leading rates as soon as they hit the market. Consumers can then compare their dial with the new rates and start saving. ——————————————————————————————————7/7—— Are you a Premium Bond winnjt? 549 NATE NAL FO CAST S OW ON 53