A roundup of today's other stories in brief.

Cowen urged to expand BES to other areas

The Irish Taxation Institute (ITI) has urged Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to expand the tax-driven Business Expansion Scheme to areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure and broadband.

"Investment in these areas is now imperative if we are to meet the stated objectives of achieving a high-value economy," ITI chief executive Mark Redmond said.

He said the BES review published by the Government this week provided "compelling evidence" that the scheme was central to sustaining economic activity.

The risk taken by BES investors had produced real economic returns, he added.

Banco Halifax opens in Dublin

Banco Halifax Hispania is now offering mortgages to the Irish expatriate market seeking to buy a home in Spain. The bank is also offering current accounts, savings and insurance services to Irish consumers moving to Spain.

A new Banco Halifax team is now based in St Stephen's Green, Dublin, to enable Irish consumers to open a bank account or arrange finances for a Spanish property before they leave Ireland.

Meanwhile, IFG Spain has launched an insurance policy which will allow individuals to insure properties in Marbella against the risk of demolition.

According to IFG, because of a planning permission "fiasco" in Marbella many Irish people now face the loss of their properties.

PIBA seeks move on moneylenders

The best method of controlling the level of interest charged by licensed moneylenders is to give the financial regulator a policing role, according to Liam Carberry, chairman of the Professional Insurance Brokers Association (PIBA).

Mr Carberry said that although the capping of interest rates might work in some countries, it carried too great a risk that the rate at which the cap was set could become the norm.

The involvement of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in the licensing process of moneylenders was a "positive step", Mr Carberry said, but he added that financial education programmes needed to be introduced at primary and secondary school level.

"Lack of knowledge and information about finance is placing unnecessary stress and strain on individuals and families," Mr Carberry said.

Tesco launches fixed-rate loan

Tesco Personal Finance has launched a fixed-interest rate loan of 6.9 per cent APR. It is available during January and February on loan amounts from €2,500 to €30,000. Tesco does not charge set-up fees or exit penalties on its loans.

David Beattie, head of Tesco Personal Finance, said this new offering was the lowest fixed-rate loan currently available in the country.

New series of Titan Bonds introduced

IIB Bank has launched a second series of the Titan Bond which is managed by Oppenheim Investment Managers. The Titan Bond is an actively-managed portfolio comprised of 18 sector-based global indices.

The term of the bond is six years, and two different risk levels are available - the secure option and the growth option. The minimum investment amount is €10,000.

Five-star rating for pet insurer

Pet insurance provider Pet Plan has been awarded a five-star rating for its Lifelong Extra pet insurance plan by research company Defaqto.

Pet Plan is a leading provider of specialist pet healthcare insurance in the UK. It provides cover for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and chincillas.