Britons 'stashing away secret credit cards'

A number of Britons hold secret credit cards, figures show, although many people are upfront about their finances with their partners.

Despite the majority being up front about their finances, many Britons hold a secret credit card, it is claimed.

According to the Halifax, there are around 217,000 currently in the UK, representing 1% of people with a partner.

It believes people hold such cards for a number of reasons, with some saving them for emergencies and others making sneaky purchases so their partner does not find out.

Adrian Bryant, Head of Marketing for Halifax Credit Cards, comments: "It's important that people are honest about their finances with their partner as it may affect their ability to secure products in joint names."

With uSwitch.com, finding a new credit card deal could not be easier.

British Bankers Association figures from last month showed that credit card lending rose by £300 million and the annual growth rate rose to 8.5%.