The number of consumer debt judgments issued in the UK during the first quarter of the year rose for the fifth year in a row, according to figures released by the TrustOnline. During Quarter 1 of 2018, 315,121 consumer judgments registered in the UK, almost doubled compared to 162,000 judgments issued during Quarter 1 2010.…
Read moreOver two-thirds (70%) of consumers think the use of bots programmed to respond like agents is acceptable in customer service, according to a new report titled ‘Customer engagement – the road to 2020’, commissioned by West’s Unified Communications Services. This shows that consumers are happy to move to digital from voice if it is convenient,…
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Following the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announcement on reform rent to own and overdraft reforms, industry figures have reacted on the news. Eric Leenders, Managing Director, Personal Finance at UK Finance said “People up and down the country use credit as a helpful means of managing their everyday spending, so we have been working closely…
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Ofgem has launched an investigation into the way that Utility Warehouse manages its customers who are in debt. Ofgem will investigate whether the supplier has breached rules related to the way it manages these customers, particularly whether it puts in place appropriate repayment options for its indebted customers. This includes whether it does enough to…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced new proposals designed to protect millions of people who use overdrafts and high-cost credit. The changes the FCA are consulting on follow an in-depth review into the high-cost credit market and are expected to reduce the costs for consumers and give them greater control over their finances. These…
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SSE’s has announced that it will increase its energy prices by 6.7%. The price rise will affect 2.36m customers. Commenting on the news Gillian Guy, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice, said “It’s extremely disheartening to see SSE join the rest of the ‘big six’ energy suppliers in raising prices for its standard variable customers. Today’s price…
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Latest figures from the Financial Ombudsman (FOS) show that complaints about borrowing – ranging from store cards to payday loans – have risen by 40% in the past year. Concerns have been raised about lenders’ treatment of customers with high-cost loans. Excluding complaints about payment protection insurance, almost one in four complaints to the ombudsman…
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Computershare Loan Services has announced that it will continue to administer 45,000 Bradford & Bingley mortgages transferring from UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) to an investor group led by Barclays Bank. UKAR recently announced the sale of two portfolios of buy-to-let and residential owner-occupied mortgages to the investment group. Computershare Loan Services was appointed by UKAR…
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The total number of defaults and small claims judgments issued in Northern Ireland during the first quarter of the year rose to the highest levels since Q1 2012, according to figures released by Registry Trust. There were 2,242 small claims judgments in Q1 2018, 16 per cent more than during the same quarter last year…
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The number of debt decrees registered against Scottish companies sharply rose during the first quarter of 2018, according to latest figures released by Registry Trust. During Q1 2018, 7,259 debt decrees were registered against Scottish consumers, six percent more than in Q1 2017. Despite rising in number, a 14 percent fall in average value led…
Read moreNew analysis by StepChange Debt Charity has reveals that two in five clients who received advice in 2017 were behind on at least one of their essential household bills (such as energy bills, council tax, mortgage or rent). Across Great Britain, the charity estimates the number of people behind on priority bills was over three…
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New research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) commissioned by equity release lender more 2 life estimates that over 65s will have amassed a record £86bn of debt in 2018, up from £78 billion in 2017. Last year’s research predicted that the total debt of over 65s would only reach £65 billion…
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New research by Consumers’ Association brand Which has revealed that the most expensive overdraft fees cost seven times as much as a payday loan. Which says it first raised the alarm over these fees in 2016 and is concerned that, despite scrutiny from the regulator, not enough has been done to protect consumers from these sky-high fees.…
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