The week unzipped: Customers see details of other accounts in banking mix-up

SANTANDER has sent up to 35,000 bank statements to the wrong address following a printing error which resulted in customers receiving details of other account holders' transactions as well as their own.

The glitch affected current account statements dated 18 December. However, the bank said customers' accounts could not be accessed using the information found on the statement.

A spokesman said that although one customer could see another customer's name, account number and spending habits, this would not give access to the account. He added that call centre staff had been made aware of the issue.

Santander has apologised and informed the Financial Services Authority, of the problem. The bank says there is no added risk of fraud as a result of the error and insists it is a one-off incident.

Home loan slump

MORTGAGE lending fell to a 20-month low in November, according to the British Bankers' Association.

Net lending by the major banks stood at 1.46 billion in November. This is half the level seen a year ago and the lowest figure since August 1999.

First-time buyers struggled to secure new loans as lenders restricted lending to safe borrowers. However, the number of people remortgaging picked up slightly in November.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders predicted stagnation in new lending to continue in the New Year.

Pipe nightmares

INSURERS are warning homeowners to protect against frozen pipes in the cold weather.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging people to check the plumbing in their homes regularly as a slight thaw could lead to many burst pipes. The insurer explains that frost-damaged pipes can go unnoticed until the ice melts and water passes through.

More Than advises homeowners to keep the house heated to a minimum of 10 degrees, even if the property is empty. If you find your pipes have burst, you should turn off the water at the stopcock, switch off the heating and move furniture and valuables out of any affected rooms.

In future, we'll fix it

THRIFTY Brits plan to mend and make do in 2011, according to research from HSBC, as they brace themselves for the double-whammy of higher VAT from January, and rising prices.

Almost half of those surveyed would seek a quote to repair key items such as laptops, TVs, washing machines and fridges if they broke down. Despite an average replacement cost of 528 for these items, consumers are prepared to pay just 73 to repair them.

Women are more likely than men to mend and make do. However, men are prepared to pay more for a repair, especially when it comes to a broken TV.

New bonds on offer

LEEDS building society has launched new three and five-year fixed-rate bonds paying up to 4 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively. Customers can access 25 per cent of the funds without notice or penalty at any time.

The society has also introduced an easy access online account paying 2.55 per cent.The account, available to new and existing customers, allows unlimited withdrawals at any time, without notice or penalty.