By Robert Adungo

Consumers reviewing their finances will be glad to hear that Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and NatWest have launched a new special credit card deal offering 0% balance transfer for 13 months.

Available through the RBS, NatWest and moneysupermarket.com websites, the credit card, which charges a 1% balance transfer fee, also offers a six-month interest-free period on purchases.

The typical APR on the card is 17.9% and Greg Reed, head of credit cards at the banks says its introduction is designed to benefit those who are re-examining their finances at this time of the year.

"We know many people review their finances, including their credit cards, in the New Year. This offer allows customers to transfer their balance for a uniquely low fee and we are really pleased to offer such a good deal," he explains.

Meanwhile, YouGov's Mobile Wallet study has revealed low awareness and usage rates in the UK for contactless card technology, with just 12% of the British population believing they have a contactless card.

But according to UK Cards Association, there were 19.6 million active cards featuring near field communication and contactless technology in the UK in November.

The study concludes that consumer education is key to raising awareness about "wave and pay" technology as just 8% of the British population and 13% of those with contactless cards recognise that McDonalds, for example, supports the technology.

When it comes to providers, Barclays/Barclaycard has a lion's share of the market (71%) of contactless card owners, followed by MBNA with just 10% and Lloyds TSB with 5%.