It appears that both consumer confidence and bank confidence are returning after a year in the doldrums.

The Woolwich is now offering a one-year tracker mortgage at 1.98 per cent – the Barclays base rate plus 1.48 per cent on 60 per cent loan-to-value LTV - in addition to rate cuts on two-year fixed mortgages by ten percentage points to 3.99 per cent and 4.09 per cent for 70 per cent LTV.

Finally, Woolwich has reduced its three-year fixed rate by 0.4 percentage points to 4.49 per cent.

Andy Gray, head of mortgages at Woolwich, claimed that with more people looking for deals, the one year tracker is “the right mortgage at the right time”.

He added: “If base rate conditions remain the same, this would then roll into a 2.99 per cent rate, which is an extremely strong rate.

“For anyone looking for the security of a longer deal, there are two- and three-year fixed rate mortgages available for both new and existing Woolwich customers at extremely competitive rates.”

Over at HSBC the launch a 1.99 per cent mortgage deal has seen consumer interest in the bank’s offerings increase significantly.

Online traffic has doubled since the product was unveiled on September 1st and call volumes have increased by 78 per cent compared with July and August.

Martijn van der Heijden, head of mortgages at HSBC, commented: “Since announcing the 1.99 per cent deal we have seen a huge amount of interest from customers.”

He added that despite speculation that the deal would be reserved for a minority, in reality over half the UK’s 11.5 million mortgage holders qualify for the deal and HSBC accepts more than seven in ten applicants.

The rate is available on the lender’s two-year discount mortgages for customers with a 40 per cent deposit.

This week, it was reported that Woolwich, the mortgage arm of Barclays, has launched a new range of deals, including a one-year tracker with a rate of 1.98 per cent available for minimum loans of £200,000 for people with a 40 per cent deposit or more.

Compare mortgage deals online to see which deal best suits you.

Interest rates were kept on hold for the sixth consecutive month last week, and savers are feeling the pain.

The average rate on easy-access savings accounts is now 0.77% - down from 0.98% in March, when the Bank of England cut rates to today’s historic low of 0.5%, figures from Moneyfacts, the data firm, show. The average cash Isa rate has dropped from 1.76% to 1.46%.

This is really bad news for savers who have seen returns from their savings diminish massively in the past year. Many thousands of people have money in the bank and live off the income. If you’re retired and living in accommodation that is rented then it is difficult to see any real upside to the low interest rates.

Take a look at the current savings products that are available in the market.

You should take a look at whether you have any debts first. Typical savings accounts are currently set at around the 3% mark. If you have for example some credit card debt you would be best off looking to pay your debts off.

If you have the £1000 to invest at 3% over one year that will give you a return of £30. LEaving you with £1030. If you had £1000 of Credit card debt - with the average credit card currently having an interest rate at around the 18% mark your £1000 debt could grow to up to £1180 over a year, depending on any repayments you make. This would obviously leave you £150 worse off than if you had just paid the debt off.

Have you opened a cash ISA this year?

A cash ISA is effectively a tax-free savings account each adult can put up to £3,600 a year in. If you haven’t opened one this tax year (April to April), then it’s the first place to put your cash. Compare Cash ISA’s here.

Are you putting money aside each month rather than a lump sum?

Regular savings accounts are a specific product which earns you higher interest if you can pay £10 - £500 in every month. For more details and the best buys compare Savings accounts here.

Are you willing to lock the cash away for twelve months (or more)?

Fixed rate savings accounts guarantee you a specific rate of interest, for a set period of time (most commonly for one year). If you think you may need to get your hands on the money, then don’t fix. However if you can sacrifice access for a while, then with savings rates likely to fall, fixed rates are a good way to ensure a decent interest rate. Compare fixed rate (term) accounts here.

• La Tasca - 50% off
• Toby Carvery - Meal and Ice cream for £5
• ASK - 3 courses for £11.95
• Gourmet Burger Kitchen - 2 for 1 most expensive free.
• Pizza Hut - 50% off

La Tasca - 50% off

Get 50% off at La Tasca restauraunts every day until the 30th September 2009.

Simply register on the La Tasca website and print the voucher off.

Restrictions: One voucher per table, per visit at participating outlets, subject to availability. Not valid with any other offers, set menus or promotional menus. Over 18s.

Toby Carvery - Meal and Ice cream for £5

Get two courses and ice cream for £5 at Toby Carvery.

Simply print this voucher.

Restrictions: Valid for up to four people per visit, each paying £5. Can’t be used with any other offers.

ASK - 3 courses for £11.95

Get a starter (from a selection of four), a main (from a selection of six) and a dessert (from a selection of three) all for £11.95 this weekend only.

Register on the ASK website and print off the voucher.

Restrictions: Only dishes highlighted on the voucher are included in the offer, no substitutions or extra pizza toppings allowed. Fri 18 and Sat 19 Sept only. Cannot be used with any other offers.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen - 2 for 1 most expensive free.

Buy one burger or main course salad at Gourmet Burger Kitchen and, unusually, get the most expensive one free!

Simply print off this voucher.

Restrictions: Not valid with other offers. UK only. Excludes Build Your Own and Laverstoke Park Farm burgers.

Pizza Hut - 50% off

Save 50% on your bill at Pizza Hut

Simply register on the Pizza Hut website website and print the voucher off.

Restrictions: Only valid on food. Excludes buffet, set menus, kids birthday parties, deals, drinks, happy hour and takeaway deals and delivery. Not valid with other offers or discounts. The voucher can be used for takeaway (full price only) but not with online orders. One voucher per table, max ten people. Mention voucher when ordering.

For people with mortgages the 0.5% interest rate is great, assuming they are not on a fixed repayment mortgage and their lender has passed the savings on to the customer.

People with a typical mortgage of £150,000 over 25 years will on average save around £250 per month on their mortgage repayments compared to what they were paying a year ago. However, We would recommend that you do not get used to these savings and that now is a good time to be overpaying your mortgage, by simply keeping up the same level of repayments as you were previously. By paying the additional £250 per month you could bring the total repayment period of the mortgage down considerably.

Interest rates will eventually have to go up, so why not get a good deal on a re-mortgage now and take advantage of the current low interest rate fixed repayment mortgages.

This blog will aim to provide you, the user, with up to date information on savings, investments, mortgages, loans, debt problems and anything else relating to your finances.

During these tricky credit-crunch times we will also be helping you save money, while still being able to enjoy yourselves, by providing money off vouchers for well known food establishments and shopping chains. On top of this we will also be offering advice on how to save money, reduce debt or make more of your investments.

Keep coming back for more updates, vouchers and great money saving offers.