Paul Lewis writes…

Dear Listener

Suddenly it’s the end of the series (but don’t worry, we won’t leave you alone!) and as a finale I got a rare radio interview with a man who has made his loyal investors an average return of 20% a year for 26 years. Anthony Bolton has an almost mystical status among the 250,000 people who put money into his fund. But at 56 he is phasing himself out. I asked him the secrets of successful investing – and if his replacements (there are two of them) can possibly equal his record.

We have an update on High Street Banks vs Their Customers. Thousands have challenged the penalty charges the banks make if they go overdrawn or miss a credit card payment. The law isn’t clear and there was almost a test case this week to settle the legal questions. But – surprise, surprise – the bank in question paid up at the court room door so it did not get to the judge. And we also discover that the banks which close the accounts of customers who go to court might be breaking their own rules.

Interest rates are rising around the world if not here, inflation is up and so is unemployment, oil hits a new record price, and now share prices are falling on fears of war in the Middle East. We get a live update on the economic prospects ahead.

HM Revenue & Customs has written to thousands of taxpayers asking them to look again at their tax claims. In some cases tax officials are even offering to visit and look over their shoulder while they do their accounts! But tax advisers say the Revenue could be exceeding its powers and is trying to frighten people into paying more tax.

Finally we’ll get a brief word from presenter Lesley Curwen on what’s in store in our summer sister series Inside Money. And Lesley will be sending you a weekly reminder.

The last Money Box of the series is in its shorts just after midday on Saturday (1204 BST for those more formally dressed) and we’re back on 2 September.

Have a great summer.

Best wishes

Paul Lewis

PS Don't forget you can find further information about all the items and listen online live or any time over the next week at the Money Box website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox

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