The information is given to banks and is used to help determine whether or not a person should be given credit and how much. Applications for credit remain on file for two years. To find out more about credit ratings, click here . We buck bear market Recent falls in share prices are encouraging investors to buy back into the stock market, according to financial services company Fiserv. A survey of 1,000 people found one-third of consumers are planning to invest either directly in shares or in stock market funds over the next 12 months.
Men are twice as likely to invest in the stock market as women, according to the study.
People from the Midlands and those aged between 18 and 34 are least likely to own stocks or shares. The UK is rapidly becoming a nation of investors and this is set to increase across all areas of society. For more information and advice on all areas of savings and investment, click here . The industry body's annual survey of insurance spending habits found the amount of insurance taken out by younger people was much less than by older people. Home and contents insurance protects against damage to homes and damage and theft of possessions within the home.