Just as you compare prices on the High Street, you should compare prices in the financial market.

That's the gist of the latest report by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the City watchdog.

The findings are hardly surprising and they echo research carried out by Working Lunch last month.

Consumers could save:

Current account �26 Savings account �117 Mortgage �230 Credit card �137 Personal loan �117

By shopping around and taking advice money can be saved on a whole range of products including current accounts, savings accounts and mortgages.

And it's not only those of us with some cash that can save, hundreds can be saved on credit cards and personal loans.

Savings

By comparing the average with the most expensive, the FSA has calculated that savings of up to �700 could be made annually on financial products.

Young couples - under 35, no children
Current account, savings account, mortgage, personal loan and credit card debt
Total possible saving = �711

Older families - 35-54, with children
Current account, savings account and mortgage
Total possible saving = �284

Retired couples - above state pension age
Current account, savings account and annuity
Total possible saving = �340

For more information check out the FSA's dedicated website pages:

www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer

www.fsa.gov.uk/tables

or call their consumer helpline on
0845 606 1234.