Inflation fear concern for household spending

30th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

Significantly more UK households say they are spending more on essential products and services than they were a year ago, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Spending Power Report. The report has also found that significantly more consumers say they have increased their spending on essentials compared to 12 months ago with 70% of adults…

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Rise in personal insolvencies reflect ‘challenging times’

29th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Insolvency Service has released its latest statistical release shows the outcome status of Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs). The statistics show: The percentage of IVAs failing within the first two years has increased Ten IVA providers accounted for over 80% of new IVAs registered in 2017. Total insolvencies rose for the second consecutive year, returning…

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Debt advice funding review published

26th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

Peter Wyman’s independent review of funding of debt advice in the UK, commissioned by the Money Advice Service, has been published. Commenting on the release of the report, Andy Briscoe, Chair of the Debt Advice Steering Group, said “I am very grateful to Peter Wyman for this critically important independent review into the funding of…

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Mortgage lending drops to lowest level in five years

26th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

UK Finance has published the latest mortgage lending figures. Key data highlights from the report include: Mortgage activity has been building through the year, helped by increasing numbers of first-time buyers. Gross mortgage lending in the month is estimated to have been £20.2 billion, 1.2 percent more than a year earlier. Credit card spending decreased slightly…

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Household spending outpaces income growth

22nd January 2018 Consumer Collections |

Household spending increased more rapidly than income growth in the last financial year (2016-17), with the biggest rises taking place among lower-income households, the Resolution Foundation said in response to the latest ONS Family Spending figures. The ONS figures show that households increased their spending by 4 percent in 2016-17, helped by low inflation and…

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Consents Online receives FCA authorisation

16th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

Consents Online has announced that it has received authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a Registered Account Information Service Provider (“AISP”). At the website consents.online, the company provides a single place where consumers can control the information they share with third parties with complete transparency. Initially managing the sharing of bank transaction data…

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Debt fears for low-income households

16th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

A new report published the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggests that a quarter of very low-income households have high debt repayments or are behind on bills or repayment. The size of overall unsecured household debt tells us little about how much ‘problem debt’ there is. Over 60% of unsecured debt is held by households…

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One in 10 people admit to hiding debt

16th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

New research from GoCompare Money has revealed that Brits are hiding a collective £13bn worth of secret personal debt from their friends, families and even their partners. The study from the comparison site found that 40% of UK adults had some form of personal debt (excluding mortgages), owing £6,131, on average. However, despite nearly a third (29%)…

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Consumers spend £4,600 on New Year resolutions

12th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

The average adult will shell out £4,600 on ‘financial’ New Year’s resolutions such as conquering their debts or moving house, according to a study. Expensive pledges such as paying off debt, buying a car and travelling the world are just as popular as traditional resolutions such as quitting smoking. The average person will attempt two…

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Dual speed data economy predicted as Open Banking launches

12th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

Consumer insight specialist, Callcredit Information Group, is predicting the emergence of a dual speed data economy as the phased adoption of Open Banking starts on 13th January 2018. Callcredit anticipates a gap will emerge between those businesses that are willing and able to harness the additional potential insights and enhanced consumer benefits Open Banking brings,…

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Consumer new car finance volumes slow down to 8% in November

11th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business volumes in the point of sale (POS) consumer new car finance market fell by 8% in November, compared with the same month in 2016, while the value of new business increased by 2% over the same period. The percentage of private…

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Consumer finance increases by 5% in November

11th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show consumer finance new business grew in November by 5%, compared with the same month in 2016. Credit card and personal loan new business together grew by 3% compared with November 2016, while retail store and online credit new business increased by 13%. Second charge…

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FEATURE: Financial inclusion

11th January 2018 Consumer Collections |

Financial inclusion as a concept can stir mixed feelings in some people: on the one hand it means bringing as many people in to the safety of the financial mainstream as possible, away from those services on the fringes designed primarily to rip off people in vulnerable financial circumstances. On the other hand financial inclusion…

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