Chewing the fat, shooting the breeze, having a natter - call it what you like, talking to people is darn important and everyone should do it as often as they can (except in libraries). We talk to our members as much as possible, through our blog and discussion board and by getting people to email contactus@zopa.com if anything's on their mind.

Having an expensive water feature in your glass-fronted, white marble lobby may make you feel good in the morning, but chances are it doesn't help the people who actually use your company. That's why the Zopa head office is pretty low-key, and the closest thing we have to a water feature is a tap.

Dec 18 2007

One in three over-55s spend pensions on children and grandchildren

One in three people over 55 are using their pensions to help support their children and grandchildren, according to a report.

The research, by Birmingham Midshires, shows that on average 12 per cent of money spent by parent and grandparents that are over 55 goes towards helping older children and grandchildren.

Jason Robinson, director of savings operations at Birmingham Midshires, said: "These findings suggest that the over-55s are actually using their pensions and savings to provide a financial lifeline to younger family members – at the same time as adjusting to enormous change in their own income and lifestyle."

Pensioners in the north-east are the most generous as five per cent of them take on a part time job to help towards family expenses, compared to one per cent in the rest of the country, according to the report.

Meanwhile, people in the UK lent £26 billion to their friends and family over the last year, according to a report by PayPal.

© Adfero Ltd

This entry is filed under Finance trends and facts.

« People should clear Christmas debts “as quickly as possible”

First time buyers facing deposit challenges »