Central Banking: The Bank of England held its base rate at 3.75% (6-3), citing inflation risks from energy and oil while noting tighter financial conditions are already helping. Fed Watch: The Fed’s first hike in over three years lifted the target range to 3.75%-4%, with officials signaling rates could stay higher longer—good news for savers, tougher for borrowers. Household Budget Pressure: A New Jersey report warns higher borrowing costs could hit mortgages, car loans, and credit card balances as inflation pressure persists. Credit & Savings: Avant filed to create an insured national bank to serve customers directly with credit cards and personal loans, aiming to cut costs and expand access. Card Value Reality Check: A guide urges consumers to calculate the real “transaction P&L” of credit card rewards after fees, caps, and exclusions—not just chase advertised reward rates. Fraud & Scams: Check Point found scammers monitoring airline complaints on social media and impersonating support to steal payment details; separately, a Cedar County woman lost money after a fake “fraud prevention” call. Consumer Protection: Police Scotland warns concert-goers not to buy tickets via social media or suspicious links, and to use safer payment methods. Policy & Costs: Australia’s card surcharge ban starts Oct. 1, but businesses may steer shoppers toward cash discounts, complicating the “lower prices” promise. Identity Safety: A Kansas City AARP free shredding event targets documents that scammers can use.