Credit Card firms will also be able to see more signs of ‘high risk’ behaviour such as withdrawing cash with a credit card, and big changes in a customer’s credit limit.

The sharing of this additional “behavioural” information will conclude a two-year project overseen by Apacs, the UK payments authority, to help lenders better judge risk.

However, consumer groups warn the move the first change for more the first change for more than a decade could mean more customer are denied credit.

The bank has to raise money to finance its mortgage business and savers are a secure source of income. So look out for top rates over the coming months.

For instance, its Fixed Rate Access Bond pays 5.08% after savings tax (6.35% before tax) until February 20 next year on £1 or more.

Unlike other fixed-rate fixed-term deals, you can take your money out at any time without losing interest, so long as you withdraw at least £250. It can be opened in branches or by post but has to be operated through the post.

There’s also a one-year bond to next March paying 5.16% (6.45%) but you’ll lose 60 days interest on any withdrawals during the fixed term.

The figures on those looking for some help come from Transact, which runs 1,200 debt advice centres across the country. Their spokesman, James Elliott, said they were seeing a new type of client.

‘In the past it was almost uniquely people on benefits, people in social housing, who went to debt advice agencies,’ he said. ‘Since the credit crunch started they are seeing a big increase in professional people and homeowners – people who have been pushed over the edge and now can’t cope with their outgoings.

‘These services are being overwhelmed by a whole new breed of debtor – middle-class people. But it means there is now much less debt advice to go round.’

At one time, people who ran up massive credit card bills and overdrafts looked to clear the slate by borrowing more against their homes through remortgaging. But the banks have shut off that escape route with tough new rules on lending to those already carrying big debts.

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