Chancellor appoints new Women in Finance Champion

12th December 2025 Appointments |

The Chancellor has appointed Nationwide Building Society CEO Dame Debbie Crosbie as the new Women in Finance champion, as ministers step up the pressure on the City to go further and faster on women’s progression to senior roles. Dame Debbie succeeds Aviva CEO Dame Amanda Blanc, whose tenure saw senior female representation in key finance roles jump from 32% to 36% as well as leading the charge on…

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Fraudster jailed after using Covid loan funds on share dealing platforms

12th December 2025 Commercial Credit Management | #fraud

A Derby businessman who used Covid support scheme funds on online trading platforms has been jailed. Temidola Ojelabi secured £80,000 across two Bounce Back Loan applications for Platinum Gates Limited in 2020 when businesses were only entitled to a single loan. Money from the loans was then used on online trading platforms when it should…

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Consumer finance new business grew by 6% in October 2025

12th December 2025 Consumer Lending | #consumer credit

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew in October 2025 by 6% compared with the same month in 2024.  In the ten months to October 2025, new business in this market was 5% higher than in the same period in 2024. The credit card and…

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Consumer car finance new business increase by 3%

12th December 2025 Consumer Lending | #car finance

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes grew in October 2025 by 3% compared with the same month in 2024. The corresponding value of new business was 8% higher over the same period. In the ten months to October 2025, new business volumes grew…

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Asset finance grows by 7%

12th December 2025 Asset Finance | #asset finance

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) in October 2025 grew by 7% compared with the same month in 2024. In the ten months to October 2025, new business was 2% higher than in the same period in 2024. The…

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Second charge mortgages grew by 22% in October 2025

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that second charge mortgage new business volumes grew by 22% in October 2025. Commenting on the latest new business figures for the second charge mortgage market, Fiona Hoyle, Director of Consumer & Mortgage Finance and Inclusion at the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), said “The…

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Economy expected to grow by 1.4% in 2025

The UK economy is expected to grow by 1.4% in 2025, revised slightly up from the previous forecast of 1.3%, driven by strong public spending. However, GDP is expected to slow to 1.2% in 2026, before rising to 1.5% in 2027 – unchanged from the previous forecast, because of productivity challenges and cautious fiscal tightening.…

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