Northern Irish business insolvencies rise whilst personal insolvencies figures stay low

18th October 2021 Business |

Latest statistics from the Insolvency Service have shown that Northern Irish personal declined and that business insolvencies increased in September when compared to 2020’s figures. In September 2021 there were 11 business insolvencies registered in Northern Ireland, 10% higher than in September 2020 but 69% lower than September 2019. This comprised of one administration, nine…

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Major retailers bombard online shoppers with Buy Now Pay Later

18th October 2021 Alternative Consumer Lending | #BNPL

Online shoppers are being bombarded with Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment options at the checkout, often with little or no information about late fees, credit checks and the risk of falling into debt, a Which? investigation of more than 100 major retailers has found. Which? looked at 111 of the biggest online retailers in…

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FCA Chair to step down in Spring 2022

18th October 2021 Appointments | #FCA

Charles Randell, Chairman of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), will step down from the regulator a year earlier than planned. Randell, who took up the role in April 2018 and was meant to serve a five-year term, will leave the FCA and the Payment Systems Regulator in spring 2022, having spent four years in the…

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HCEOA welcomes VAT on fees clarity from Ministry of Justice

18th October 2021 Consumer Collections | #enforcement

The High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA) has welcomed this week’s publication of a new Ministry of Justice guidance document entitled VAT on High Court Enforcement Officer Fees. The Ministry of Justice has released the new official guidance, which clarifies how VAT on High Court enforcement fees should be treated, following a range of discussions…

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Over one-third of care home residents struggling to pay for their care

18th October 2021 Arrears and Recoveries | #debt

Over one-third of care home residents face long term struggle of paying for their care according to new ONS statistics. The research found that in 2019/20 it is estimated 143,774 or 36.7% of people in care homes in England were self-funders. This compares to 248,153 who are state-funded. The South East had the highest proportion…

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Bank of England issues warning over potential loan default rise

A Bank of England (BOE) survey of lenders suggests that more households are expected to have defaulted on mortgages and other loans by the end of November. The Bank’s credit conditions survey asks banks and building societies to detail the climate over the previous quarter and what they expect in the next three months. While…

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Daligas becomes 15th energy supplier to go bust this year

Gas-only retailer, Daligas, has confirmed it is ceasing to trade, blaming the unprecedented energy market conditions, the record high wholesale prices and the current energy cap. Daligas becomes the 15th energy company to go bust year meaning that a total of almost 2.4 million customers have now seen their energy supplier exit the market in…

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Arrow Global announces new CEO appointment

15th October 2021 Appointments | #appointments

Arrow Global has announced that, following the completion of the takeover by TDR Capital, Lee Rochford has decided to step down as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Rochford will be succeeded by Zach Lewy, Founder, Group Chief Investment Officer and CEO of Arrow’s Fund Management and Investment (FIM) business. The change takes effect immediately, Rochford…

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Credit Kudos launches Open Banking credit score platform

15th October 2021 Consumer Collections |

Credit Kudos, the Open Banking credit reference agency, has launched Signal, a highly accurate, explainable Open Banking credit score to help lenders serve more customers, reduce defaults and evidence risk decisions. Available now, the score enables lenders to move beyond the limitations of traditional credit data, allowing them to accurately score all applicants, not just…

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Rollout of new £100 contactless limit begins

15th October 2021 Consumer Collections | #payments

The national roll-out of the new £100 spending limit for contactless card payments will begin today (Friday 15th October). Consumers will start to see retailers accepting contactless card payments up to £100, which will give them more flexibility when shopping in-store. This will also help with bigger spends where speed and convenience are valued, such…

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Phillips & Cohen appoints SVP Digital Operations

15th October 2021 Appointments | #appointments

Deceased account care servicing and technology solutions specialise, Phillips & Cohen Associates (PCA) has announced that Shawn Farris has joined its senior leadership team in the newly created role of Senior Vice President (SVP), Digital Operations. Farris is a proven leader and seasoned executive within the Accounts Receivable Management industry with an extensive background in…

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FCA issues warning to businesses over hybrid working risks

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued new guidance to companies operating a remote or hybrid working model. The new directive states that firms will be evaluated by us on a case-by-case basis and should be able to prove that the lack of a centralised location or remote working does not or is unlikely to…

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Two more energy companies go bust

14th October 2021 Consumer Collections |

Two more UK energy firms have ceased trading amid soaring wholesale energy prices. Pure Planet and Colorado Energy have announced they are ceasing to trade. Pure Planet supplies gas and electricity to around 235,000 domestic customers and Colorado Energy supplies gas and electricity to around 15,000 domestic customers. The founders of Pure Planet have hit…

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