West Bromwich Building Society is offering a High Income Over-65 90-day notice account for a minimum investment of £5,000. The account pays 4.75% monthly, or 5.00% on deposits over £100,000.

Earlier access is permitted in exchange for 90 days' loss of interest. All withdrawals  must be made via BACS to a nominated bank account.

The account is open to anyone aged aged 65 or over. The maximum investment is £250,000.

Two of the leading house price forecasters have declined to make predictions about prices in the coming year.

Halifax and the Nationwide, which each publish house price surveys each month, usually give their estimate at the end of each year of the way they think house prices will move in the year ahead.

Halifax, which, as part of HBOS, is in the process of being taken over by Lloyds TSB, said it was "not appropriate" to comment on the market at present, while Nationwide said it was simply too difficult.

Savers don't have much to celebrate at this festive time. A total of 47 providers have already decreased rates on 100 savings products by as much as 2.22%, according to research by comparison site uSwitch.

Among these changes, 34 providers decreased variable rate products by 1% or more, and the average is 1.13%. This is despite just a 1% base rate decrease. Some cuts were as high as 1.75%.

Variable rates took the biggest hit between 1 and 4 December.

The Financial Services Consumer Panel, the champion of customers of banks and financial companies, has come into conflict with the Financial Services Authority over the FSA’s handling of the current market crisis.

The rift is significant because, contrary to popular belief, the FSCP is not a consumer lobby group such as Which? (formerly known as the Consumers’ Association) or Citizens’ Advice. The FSCP has statutory status and is appointed from the “great and the good” by the FSA itself to represent the interests of consumers, but at the same time is expected to “understand” banking issues.

One in seven people in the UK have failed to save a single penny this year. As a turbulent 2008 draws to a close, a survey by Alliance & Leicester has found that 13.5 million people have not managed to put any money aside as the recession deepens - and most of them say they regret it.

A more provident two-thirds of the population have managed to put at least some money away during 2008.

Start saving for next Christmas now. Chorley Building Society is offering a "Santa Saver" account, paying 6% gross. The account deposit period commences on opening and finishes on the 25th November each year. The minimum opening balance is £1 and the maximum total deposit allowed per month is £150.

Multiple deposit transactions are allowed subject to the above maximum monthly allowance, and prior months' missed deposits or shortfalls can be made up (advance deposits not allowed), but no withdrawals are allowed until the maturity date.