Benjamin Taylor

Money Analyst – Banking and Insurance

Benjamin's experience

Benjamin joined MSE in June 2022 as an Editorial Assistant. In his pre-MSE days, he studied English at the University of Sheffield and worked an array of odd jobs.

A little more about Benjamin

He lives in London and enjoys going to Morrisons, seeing friends and family, and just generally walking about. He supports Norwich City Football Club.

Benjamin says...

"As a member of MSE's Money team, I cover everything from credit cards, ISAs, loans and car finance, to pet, cycle and home insurance. I joined MSE to try to help people claw back pounds from big business and love to read about MSE users' innovative successes each week on the MSE Forum."

Latest from Benjamin Taylor

Don't just stick with your student bank account after uni – loyalty can cost! Some banks let you switch even if you've not had their student account and you can get 0% overdrafts for up to three years. If you've graduated recently, see if you can ditch and switch your account to save £100s in interest.

22 January 2026

The Help to Save scheme gives low-income earners a savings boost – and it's become more accessible. Now open to more Universal Credit claimants, the scheme offers a 50% bonus on the amount saved, paying up to £1,200 over four years. If you’re claiming Universal Credit here’s how the account works and how you could benefit.

20 January 2026

Best banks if you have Power of Attorney.

If you have Power of Attorney and manage somebody else's finances, choosing the best bank for day-to-day use and any savings can be a challenge. We've full bank-by-bank help on how to register for access to existing accounts, plus the easiest banks to deal with if you're looking to open a new account.

7 January 2026

A 0% money transfer allows you to shift cash from a card to your bank account to clear your overdraft or give yourself a 0% cash loan for up to 14 months. This guide has full info and the best deals, though not many cards offer these transfers any more.

6 January 2026

When you get a home buildings insurance quote, you'll be asked for your home's rebuild value, which is how much it would cost to repair your home if it were completely destroyed, not how much it's worth. It will often provide an estimate for you, but it's always worth checking this (and regularly throughout the policy) to ensure you have the right amount of cover – this short guide shows you how.

19 December 2025

Payday loans are a financial nightmare, and you should avoid them entirely if possible. This guide explains alternative (and much cheaper) ways to borrow, and – if a payday loan is the only answer – what to watch out for.

17 December 2025

Help to Buy ISAs are now closed to new applicants. Didn't get one in time? Lifetime ISAs also offer a 25% bonus for first-time buyers. But if you do have a Help to Buy ISA, here's everything you need to know, including how to claim the 25% bonus, whether it's worth transferring to a Lifetime ISA and how to get a better rate by changing provider.

11 December 2025

2 December 2025

Joint savings accounts can be a useful way for two people to share responsibility for a pot of money or reach shared savings goals. Both account holders will have access to the cash though, so you should only open one with someone you trust. This short guide runs you through the options.

17 November 2025

Opening a joint bank account with someone lets you both manage it, which can be useful for household bills or pooling your cash. However, any money you pay in will then belong to you both, so only do it with someone you trust. This short guide runs through it all, including how sharing an account can let you double up on free cash and other perks.

13 November 2025

If you want to take more control of the money you're saving for retirement, a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) might be right for you. SIPPs are DIY or personal pensions which allow you to choose your own investments. Our guide looks at the key need-to-knows plus platforms you could try.

12 November 2025

If you've a poor credit history, using a credit card to show you can repay on time each month can help rebuild your creditworthiness. Our guide has full info on how to best manage a credit card, plus our Credit Card Eligibility Calculator will show your chances of acceptance before applying, reducing the risk of a failed application.

11 November 2025

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Accessing credit can be tricky for those with limited credit history. If you're saving for a house deposit or considering a large purchase, using a credit builder card can make your mortgage or loan application look more appealing to lenders. This guide runs through who's eligible for a credit builder card, and how you can use them to boost your credit score.

11 November 2025

If you cycle, you don't always need bike insurance – but lack of cover could put a nasty spoke in your wheel if the worst happened. This guide is designed to help you decide if you should get insured, or ride without a financial safety helmet.

21 October 2025

A car insurance quote can often feel like a figure plucked from nowhere, but there are a number of factors that come into play when insurers give you a price. In this short guide we run through the key metrics that could affect what you pay.

14 October 2025

If you have an older car that's considered classic or vintage, you'll likely need a specialist insurance policy to provide the cover you need. Here, we run through the basics of classic car insurance, including what it covers and the things you should consider when buying a policy.

18 September 2025