Todays news

Daily Mail research has suggested that customers wishing to activate their credit cards with their banks are being passed on to insurance companies such as CPP, which encourage customers to take out a card protection policy. According to the newspaper, the insurer does not offer to cover fraud losses, but will instead pay up to £60,000 to cover any 'legal and communication costs'. Figures show that only 0.5% of CPP customers claim on their identity theft policy.

Asda has warned of a deterioration in consumer confidence since the start of 2011, which it believes will worsen as further austerity measures take effect. Its chief executive, Andy Clarke, said that many consumers are anxious about rising fuel and food rates at a time when they are seeing less money in their pockets and job insecurity within the public sector.

The Guardian has revealed that HSBC's chief executive, Stuart Gulliver, is employed by the bank through its main holding company, the Netherlands-based HSBC Asia Holdings, which employs 443 of the bank's staff and is designed to manage their benefits regardless of where they are placed to work. The newspaper also reveals that the new head, whose principal address is in Hong Kong, is on a £1.25m salary and is entitled to an additional 50% as a pension contribution. He also expects to pay income taxes in both Hong Kong and Britain

Customer Service - are you having a laugh!

Well known make of fridges and freezes Lec have a policy which they are "legally" obliged to make parts for any model for up to 8 years. Does that mean if they were not "legally" obliged it would be shorter time , maybe two years. That is unless there is demand for particular part or parts then they would continue to make them for sale in some instances.

In my case I have a Lec "retro" fridge and the door has dropped on it's hinges, I'm unable to source the hinge kit through Lec and so my fridge is only good for scrap. I've had this fridge for about eight years and after speaking to Lec at length today won't be buying any of their products in future - what's the point as I have no way of knowing when the spare parts will be taken off sale.

It also suggests to me their products are not built to last past eight years or maybe their products are built so well they never need new parts once they are more than eight years old.

From Straplines to Rebranding

Northern Rock has launched a campaign featuring the strapline 'Northern Rock. Works for me', which it hopes will communicate the idea that it listens to its customers' needs and responds with transparent, simple products. The press and radio-based campaign, which will feature mortgage and savings customers of the bank, follows research which found that customers value good, friendly service as well as a fair and open relationship with their bank.

Standard Life has redesigned its corporate livery to 'reflect the pace of the organisation', changing its blue and yellow sash into a small yellow triangle protruding from the top right corner of the name, which sits above the words 'the way forward'. The assurer paid £5m for the rebranding, which its chief executive claims is 'forward-looking... digital, [and] about technology'. Its website, literature and staff cards have been changed accordingly.