Nationwide is set to lower rates on most accounts by between 0.10% and 0.25%, following the reduction of 0.25% in the Bank of England base rate. Under the changes, the building society’s one-year triple access online saver will be reduced by 0.10% to 4%, while the loyalty saver will also be cut by the same amount, now starting from 3.50%. Nationwide’s flex instant saver will be reduced by 0.25%, with rates now starting from 3%. However, the society’s flex regular saver and flexone saver will see no changes to their respective rates, remaining at 6.50% and 5% respectively.

James Coleman has been appointed as training and research manager at Protection Guru, joining the business as part of its plans to increase its technical training and support capabilities. Coleman is set to join the firm from 7 January and brings experience having worked at previous positions at Guardian, Capita Life & Pensions, Phoenix, Resolution plc and Britannic Assurance. As part of the role, he will be responsible for increasing the level of technical output from Protection Guru, alongside a series of new training initiatives.

Halifax has cut rates across its mortgage offering, making reductions of up to 0.35%. The changes apply to the bank’s 18-month and three-year fixed mortgage deals, after the former product was launched in November. The 18-month fix now starts at 4.22% and 4.39% at 60% and 75% LTV respectively. Its 80% and 90% LTV products now start at 4.90% and 5.28% respectively. All products come with a £1,499 fee. Across Halifax’s three-year fixes, its fee-free remortgage now start from 4.41% at 60% LTV, while its £999 fee option starts from 4.18%. At 85% LTV, the fee-free option has been cut to 5.06%, while the £999 fee product now starts from 4.83%.

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