Dear listener

Will 2007 be the year of the building society merger? One city analyst tells us that five familiar names will disappear from the High Street next year - leaving windfalls in their wake for lucky customers.

How are Farepak customers coping with Christmas? Most have got vouchers worth just 17 pence in the pound from what they saved. Are they borrowing the rest?

Private equity hits the headlines as it buys up public companies, turns them round, and sells them at a profit - usually a very big one. Can small investors get a piece of the action?

I report from inside an Aston Martin DB6 on classic cars as an investment. But will the Aston sell when the hammer comes down at a classic car auction?

That's all in Money Box. Saturday at noon, Sunday at 9pm and any time on the web. And there's more information on our website about these items now.

And don't forget to enter the Christmas Quiz - 20 multiple choice questions that could bag you a digital radio.

Best wishes for Christmas,

Paul Lewis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/moneybox

e-mail Paul Lewis