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Personal Finance News 17 December 2025 - 29 December 2025

India’s Dec 31 tax crunch: Link Aadhaar-PAN and fix your ITR before deadlines hit

India’s Dec 31 tax crunch: Link Aadhaar-PAN and fix your ITR before deadlines hit

NEW YORK, December 29, 2025, 00:09 ET A Dec. 31 deadline is approaching for Indian taxpayers to link their Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar, the national identity number, with unlinked PANs set to become inoperative from Jan. 1, local media reported. The Economic Times The timing matters because PAN is widely required for tax filings and for many financial transactions. An inoperative PAN can disrupt banking and investment activity, The Economic Times reported. The Economic Times The year-end squeeze is compounded by another cut-off on the same date: Dec. 31 is the deadline to file belated and revised income
29 December 2025
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Nationwide £50 Bonus Cheque Deadline: How to Claim the “Big Nationwide Thank You” Before 1 January 2026

Nationwide £50 Bonus Cheque Deadline: How to Claim the “Big Nationwide Thank You” Before 1 January 2026

With New Year just days away, Nationwide Building Society is urging members who received a paper cheque—rather than an automatic bank credit—to pay it in before 1 January 2026 or risk losing the money. Nationwide says all payments under its “Big Nationwide Thank You” scheme have already been issued, but cheques must be paid in by the deadline to avoid missing out. Nationwide+2Nationwide+2 The timing matters: 1 January 2026 is a UK bank holiday, so leaving it to the last moment could be a gamble if your bank’s cheque-deposit options (branch, app, or Post Office) are limited over the holiday
28 December 2025
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Lloyds and Halifax Branch Closures 2026: Full List of 55 UK Bank Branches Shutting, Key Dates, and What Customers Can Do

Lloyds and Halifax Branch Closures 2026: Full List of 55 UK Bank Branches Shutting, Key Dates, and What Customers Can Do

Dozens of Lloyds Bank and Halifax branches are set to close across the UK in 2026, as Lloyds Banking Group continues to reshape its high-street footprint amid a long-term shift toward digital banking. A widely shared closure schedule lists 55 sites earmarked to shut next year — 40 Lloyds Bank branches and 15 Halifax branches — with closures starting in January 2026 and further dates running into October 2026. GB News+2GB News+2 Alongside the closure timetable, both banks publish branch-specific “Closing Branch Review” documents and guidance on alternatives such as nearby branches, Post Offices, and planned Banking Hubs. Lloyds Bank+1
28 December 2025
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Optional Joint Taxation for Married Couples in India: ICAI’s Budget 2026 Proposal Explained—Benefits, Risks, and What Could Change

Optional Joint Taxation for Married Couples in India: ICAI’s Budget 2026 Proposal Explained—Benefits, Risks, and What Could Change

As conversations around Union Budget 2026-27 gather momentum, one proposal keeps resurfacing in tax circles and middle-class dinner-table debates: allowing married couples to file a joint income-tax return in India—optionally. The idea, recommended by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) as part of its pre-Budget submissions, is being positioned as a potential “game changer” for households where one spouse is the primary earner. The Times of India+2The New Indian Express+2 But what does “optional joint taxation” actually mean in practice? Who could benefit, who might not—and what would the government need to redesign in India’s tax and compliance
27 December 2025
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Premium Bonds vs Savings Accounts in 2026: When NS&I Premium Bonds Make Sense — and When They Don’t

Premium Bonds vs Savings Accounts in 2026: When NS&I Premium Bonds Make Sense — and When They Don’t

Premium Bonds have long been one of Britain’s most beloved ways to save: no risk to your capital, a monthly “thrill” of a prize draw, and the chance—however remote—of a £1 million jackpot. But after a series of prize-rate reductions and with top easy-access savings accounts still paying around 4.5% in late 2025, the obvious question for UK savers is whether Premium Bonds are still a smart home for cash. MoneySavingExpert.com+2MoneyWeek+2 That question has also been at the centre of a recent debate in the UK press, including The Economist’s look at how “rational” the country’s soft spot for Premium
27 December 2025
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2026 Tax Refund Season Could Bring Bigger Checks: IRS Withholding Decision, “Free Money” Buzz, and Key Filing Changes Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

2026 Tax Refund Season Could Bring Bigger Checks: IRS Withholding Decision, “Free Money” Buzz, and Key Filing Changes Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

As the U.S. heads into the 2026 tax-filing season, a familiar phrase is resurfacing in headlines and TV segments: “free money.” The reality is more technical—but potentially meaningful for millions of households. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says it did not update federal income tax withholding tables for Tax Year 2025 as it phases in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). That means many workers may have had taxes withheld from paychecks as if certain new deductions and tax breaks didn’t exist—setting the stage for larger-than-usual refunds when 2025 returns are filed in early 2026. IRS At the same
26 December 2025
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PAN–Aadhaar Linking Deadline 31 December 2025: Who Must Act Now, How to Link, Check Status, and Recover a Lost PAN Number

PAN–Aadhaar Linking Deadline 31 December 2025: Who Must Act Now, How to Link, Check Status, and Recover a Lost PAN Number

As India heads into the final week of 2025, the PAN–Aadhaar linkage story has surged back into the news cycle—this time with a sharp year-end cutoff and a clear risk: an “inoperative” PAN from 1 January 2026 for those who miss the requirement. Income Tax India Across updates published on 26 December 2025, the message is consistent: taxpayers should check their PAN–Aadhaar linking status immediately, complete any pending steps on the Income Tax e-filing portal, and avoid last-minute technical delays that could disrupt routine banking, investing, and tax activities. The Times of India But there’s a crucial nuance often missed
26 December 2025
Mortgage Rates Today (Dec. 18, 2025): 30-Year Fixed Holds Near 6.2% After Cooler CPI — Plus 2026 Forecasts and What Borrowers Should Watch

Mortgage Rates Today (Dec. 18, 2025): 30-Year Fixed Holds Near 6.2% After Cooler CPI — Plus 2026 Forecasts and What Borrowers Should Watch

December 18, 2025 — Mortgage rates are ending the week in a familiar place: stuck in a tight band despite major headlines on inflation and central-bank policy. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.21% this week, according to Freddie Mac’s widely watched weekly survey, as lenders and borrowers weigh a softer inflation print against lingering uncertainty in the data and the path of interest rates in 2026. Freddie Mac+2Bureau of Labor Statistics+2 Below is a detailed look at mortgage rates today, what’s moving the market on 12/18/2025, and how major housing forecasters see rates trending into 2026—including why some experts expect only a slow grind lower
18 December 2025
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2025 Tax Filing Changes: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Tips, Overtime, Car Loans, SALT, Refunds — and Small Businesses

2025 Tax Filing Changes: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Tips, Overtime, Car Loans, SALT, Refunds — and Small Businesses

December 18, 2025 — As the year closes, Americans are getting their first real preview of how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (often shortened to OBBBA) will reshape the 2025 tax return they’ll file in early 2026. The law (Public Law 119-21) introduced new deductions, lifted familiar limits, and locked in major parts of the 2017-era tax structure—while the IRS continues rolling out guidance and forms designed to make the new rules workable for taxpayers, employers, and lenders. IRS+1 What’s making this moment feel unusually complicated is timing: many of the most talked-about provisions apply to money earned in
18 December 2025
Bank of England Set to Cut Interest Rates to 3.75% After UK Inflation Drops to 3.2% — What It Means for Mortgages, Savings and Markets

Bank of England Set to Cut Interest Rates to 3.75% After UK Inflation Drops to 3.2% — What It Means for Mortgages, Savings and Markets

Borrowers could get an early Christmas boost today as the Bank of England prepares to lower the UK Bank Rate from 4% to 3.75%, a move widely seen as the most likely outcome after a sharper-than-expected fall in inflation and fresh signs that the economy is losing momentum. Reuters+2The Guardian+2 The decision, due at 12pm UK time on Thursday, 18 December 2025, would be the fourth interest-rate reduction of 2025 and the sixth cut in the current easing cycle, after policymakers paused in November with a split vote. Reuters+2Bank of England+2 Why a Bank of England rate cut now looks
18 December 2025
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HDFC Bank Cuts FD Rates After SBI: Latest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates, RBI Repo Cut Fallout and What Savers Should Do (Dec 17, 2025)

HDFC Bank Cuts FD Rates After SBI: Latest Fixed Deposit Interest Rates, RBI Repo Cut Fallout and What Savers Should Do (Dec 17, 2025)

HDFC Bank has lowered fixed deposit (FD) interest rates for select tenures effective Wednesday, December 17, 2025, joining a growing list of lenders recalibrating deposit returns after the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 25-basis-point repo rate cut to 5.25% earlier this month. The move follows State Bank of India’s (SBI) FD trims that took effect on December 15, 2025, underscoring how quickly the latest policy easing is flowing through to everyday savings products—especially for deposits below ₹3 crore, the bracket most retail customers fall into. The Economic Times+2Upstox – Online Stock and Share Trading+2 For depositors, the takeaway is simple:
17 December 2025
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Mortgage Rates Today (Dec. 17, 2025): 30-Year Fixed Hovers Near 6% After the Fed Cut—What It Means for Refinancing and a $700,000 Mortgage

Mortgage Rates Today (Dec. 17, 2025): 30-Year Fixed Hovers Near 6% After the Fed Cut—What It Means for Refinancing and a $700,000 Mortgage

Mortgage rates are still refusing to “follow the Fed” in a straight line, even after the Federal Reserve’s December policy move. If you’re shopping for a home or debating a refinance, today’s numbers—and the reason they’re behaving this way—matter more than the headlines. After the Fed cut its target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage point to 3.5%–3.75% on December 10, many borrowers expected mortgage rates to slide quickly. Instead, rates have stayed in a tight band in the low-6% range, and in some surveys they’ve even ticked higher week-over-week. Federal Reserve+1 Below is a December 17,
17 December 2025
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Stock Market Today

Vodafone shares steady up after Q3 wobble — Germany, buyback and next results now set the tone

Vodafone shares steady up after Q3 wobble — Germany, buyback and next results now set the tone

7 February 2026
Vodafone shares rose 1.47% to 110.60p Friday, recovering part of Thursday’s 4.68% drop after a Q3 update. Group revenue climbed 6.5% to €10.5 billion, but Germany’s 0.7% service revenue growth missed some forecasts. Vodafone launched a new €500 million buyback tranche, bringing total buybacks since May to €3.5 billion. Investors remain focused on Germany’s pace and cash flow execution.
NatWest Group stock: buyback filing and Rightmove mortgage deal set up a busy week

NatWest Group stock: buyback filing and Rightmove mortgage deal set up a busy week

7 February 2026
NatWest shares closed up 1.45% at 659.4 pence Friday, buoyed by a buyback of 797,428 shares and a new digital mortgage deal with Rightmove. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% but signaled possible cuts, with markets pricing in two reductions for 2026. NatWest plans to expand its Accelerator community to 50,000 members by 2026. Annual results are due Feb. 13.
Unilever share price holds at 5,250p as results week looms — what investors watch next

Unilever share price holds at 5,250p as results week looms — what investors watch next

7 February 2026
Unilever shares closed flat at 5,250p in London Friday, underperforming the FTSE 100’s 0.6% gain. The company issued 4.2 million new shares for employee plans, bringing total shares to over 2.18 billion. Investors await Q4 and full-year results on Feb. 12, with analyst consensus pointing to 3.9% Q4 sales growth. Unilever’s U.S. ADR rose 0.8% to $72.12.
BP share price near 52-week high ahead of Feb 10 earnings as buyback runs on

BP share price near 52-week high ahead of Feb 10 earnings as buyback runs on

7 February 2026
BP shares closed up 1.9% at 478 pence Friday, just below a 52-week high, as the company continued buybacks ahead of next week’s results. BP repurchased 2.789 million shares on February 6. Oil prices firmed on geopolitical risk, with Brent at $68.05 a barrel, but sector outlook remains uncertain. Investors await BP’s earnings and dividend decision due Tuesday.
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