Our customers have been avid early adopters of contactless payment technology, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of Android Pay’s UK launch. Customers can add their MBNA-issued credit cards to Android Pay from today to make convenient contactless payments in stores, as well as online payments in apps.

You can be among the first to the party with an MBNA card, and getting started is very straightforward: you simply need to download the Android Pay app from the Google Play Store and sign up for Android Pay through the app. You can then add your preferred MBNA MasterCard® or Visa credit card by using the camera in the app to capture card information, or by entering card details manually, and you are ready to tap and go.

We're excited to bring the simplicity and security of mobile payments to MBNA customers with Android Pay. Starting today, people will be able to use their Android device to pay at almost 460,000 contactless payment terminals in the UK.

MBNA is hugely proud to have supported the Chester Marathon since it started. Many of our employees have taken part and raised money for charity over the years.

Chris Hulse and Andy White have always had a strong vision for what this race should be, and it is their drive and dedication to delivering a quality event that made it easy for us to agree to extend our sponsorship.

We are delighted to see MBNA continue as title sponsor for the race. Their invaluable support has been crucial to the development and success of the race.

Chester Marathon is a brilliant way to showcase the historic city that we call home, and we hope that our commitment to the event for the next three years can provide a platform for it to become bigger and better than ever.

This spending data shows how the UK’s love for DIY has grown significantly over the past 20 years. Today, people are spending 42 per cent more in real terms on home improvements than they did 20 years ago. The rate of growth in DIY spending did decline sharply during the recession, but the past five years have seen the steepest rate of growth for more than two decades.

Movements in DIY spending over the past 20 years have been driven by a range of factors including economic growth, rising incomes, online shopping, special offers and, of course, the numbers of people moving home. Moving home is a clear prompt for undertaking DIY tasks, whilst dips in property transactions cause a similar dip in DIY spending. However, the fact that DIY spending as a whole has increased by 42 per cent in the last 20 years despite an 11 per cent fall in property transactions shows that many people are choosing to spend more money on improving their home rather than moving to a new one.

Innovation and new technology have also made it easier for us to ‘do it ourselves'. Innovation will continue to drive demand in the DIY market. Popular DIY items have changed markedly over the years, driven in part by the advent of new technology and web functionality. Today’s hits include Wi-Fi-enabled alarms, digital laser measuring devices and LED lighting, items that did not exist back in 1996.

Our customers have been active early adopters of contactless payment. Again, they have a head start in accessing new payment technology as we join the first wave of card providers offering Android Pay in the UK, giving our customers greater choice and convenience in how they pay.

With more mobile wallet options becoming available, more card issuers participating and more merchants updating their payment terminals, it’s an exciting time as we see consumer confidence in contactless payment growing.

Our customers are looking to MBNA as the credit card experts to deliver handy new ways to pay – ways that offer them convenience, speed and safety. We’re investing in delivering our customers Samsung Pay at the earliest opportunity, showing how we’re helping make life easier for them.

Online shopping is turning our traditional spending habit on its head. While some of us are still content to brave our Christmas shopping in the final few days, many more of us are now taking advantage of the promotions driven by Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The data shows that the goalposts are moving and millions of shoppers are reaping the rewards of major discounts in stores and online. As more of us become aware of the promotions offered, we expect sales to rise even further.

At MBNA, we focus every day on making sure we get the details right for our customers. People want to know they can rely on us for the ‘financial stuff’. Our new campaign showcases how we make a virtue out of being boringly good at managing your credit card.

By removing certain fees, we’ve created a simple and easy-to-understand credit card that gives people amazing flexibility when it comes to borrowing. We believe it’s a card that transcends the current UK credit card comparison tables and delivers value like no other.

American Express is delighted to partner with MBNA in providing the Everyday Plus product. By combining American Express’ global brand and value, together with MBNA’s expertise, we have developed a truly compelling product.

This is a card that could easily persuade some rate tarts to ditch the switching habit.