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The 50 weirdest terms of financial jargon – and what they actually mean

Flummoxed by front-end loading? Bamboozled by bridging? Don’t know if your cap is split or your asset orphaned?

Here is Times Money’s alternative guide, for anyone who blushes at the mention of cum-dividends, or thinks churning is something that only happens to dairy products.

Nominate your Scrooge of the Year 2007

We have written about all types of scrooge-like activity by some firms this year. Broadband companies who are sending their customers round the bend with poor service and slow connection times.  Gas suppliers who are getting their arm into unsuspecting homeowners by hiking up their rates.  Banks charging hefty overdraft charges and paying paltry rates on savings. If you have suffered at the hands of a company this year, we want to hear about it.  Or perhaps you have experienced really good service? If so, tell us!

NOTE: We are no longer accepting nominations. Your top Scrooges have been named and shamed. Many thanks for all your entries. We welcome comments on the results.

Where to spread your eggs...

Savers looking for good returns on their cash are spoilt for choice at the moment, as banks desperately try to build up their reserves after the damaging effects of the credit crunch.

The 25 most outrageous insurance policy exclusions ever

Insurance policies are designed by lawyers with one thing in mind - to boost the odds in favour of the insurance company so you stand as little chance as possible of having your claim paid.

The lawyers do this by hiding "get-out" clauses, otherwise called policy exclusions, in the small print of the insurance contract. Sometimes, insurers will take pity and pay a claim, despite being legally entitled to deny it. However, this is not always the case. Reading the small print of your policy or enlisting the services of an insurance broker when buying a policy is the only way to stay a step ahead of the lawyers.

Here, Times Money has compiled 25 of the more outrageous insurance exclusions to watch out for.

Hook, Line and Sinker: Ten of the Most Audacious Swindles Ever

Ever since the invention of money there have been con artists out there ready to swindle the unwary out of their cash. Last year around 28 million Britons were targeted, according to the government, and £1 billion was lost in financial scams.

Fortunately, most victims suffer a greater dent to their pride than their bank balance. But some involve the loss of millions or even billions of pounds and cause real financial hardship. Here are ten of the most audacious financial swindles ever.