Women are less "financially fit" than their male counterparts, according to Abbey.

Research by the bank found that where an obesity score refers to rates on mortgages, current accounts and credit cards, 46 per cent of women were 'overweight' compared to 41 per cent of men.

Nici Audhlam-Gardiner, head of mortgages for the firm, said there could be a number of reasons for the figures.

"You could argue that maybe women have less time and they're juggling more things and so they just make less time for their finances," she said. "And maybe also, they're just less confident in them."

She claimed that managing money has often been viewed as a male thing to do and therefore women may feel less sure.

According to Ms Audhlam-Gardiner, many people are changing their attitude towards finance as they await further news about the economy.

The possibility of a recession and speculation over house prices is leading more people to "get focused" on their finances, she concluded.

© Adfero Ltd