Personal Finance: Loose Change

WOOLWICH DIRECT, the former building society's telephone lending arm, has launched a new range of mortgages, including a two-year discount of 2.6 per cent off its new standard variable of 6.1 per cent on loans up to 60 per cent of a home's value, or 6.4 per cent for loans up to a 90 per cent value. Free valuation and legal fees. Call 0645 757575.

MIDLAND BANK has published a short guide to help consumers buying financial products over the phone. The guide offers step-by-step advice on how to buy and what questions to ask. Call 0800 180180.