FENCA appoints Berkley as Vice President

29th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Leigh Berkley, President of the Credit Services Association (CSA), has been elected to the Board and appointed Vice President of the Federation of European National Collection Associations (FENCA), an umbrella body that serves to promote and develop European best practice, standards and legislation within the European debt collection industry. This strategic re-positioning at the top…

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FCA proposes new measures to maintain firms’ focus on culture

29th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will mark six months since the implementation of the Senior Managers’ and Certification Regime by providing feedback on implementation so far and proposing measures to further strengthen the regime. The proposed rules will reinforce the importance of individual accountability at the most senior level of organisations.  The new measures are…

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Record confidence in job security – but UK consumers cautious with extra cash

28th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

81% of UK consumers feel confident about their job security, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Spending Power Report. The monthly barometer, which tracks both spending habits and consumer confidence, showed four-in-five consumers believe their own job security is either “excellent”, “very good” or “somewhat good” –   the highest level in the survey’s history, and a…

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Consumer Credit increase as mortgages hit 19 month low

28th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Consumer credit has grown by 6.4% over the year to August, the fastest rate of growth for nearly 10 years according to the latest British Banker Association (BBA) statistics. It is thought the increase has been driven by ultra-low interest rates, people are borrowing more on credit cards and through loans and overdrafts. The number of…

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Debt problems with high cost credit products increase as payday loans decrease

28th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

More and more people are struggling with debts for guarantor loans and rent to own credit products, Citizens Advice reveals today. The charity says there has been a shift in the high cost credit market as the number of people seeking help for problems with these sub-prime products has risen by 16% over the last year…

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Financial value of personal data report

28th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

A research report by Callcredit Information Group has found that three quarters of consumers attach a financial value to their personal data. The survey of 3,000 UK-based consumers has revealed that 73% attach a financial value to the personal data they share online, which they believe businesses and organisations must recognise if they wish to use…

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Valour launches mini-bond

27th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Valour Group (UK) has launched a mini-bond to raise up to £5million from private investors. The money from The Valour Group Bond has an annual interest rate of 8.49% per annum, will be used to grow the loan book of the company’s lending subsidiary Savvy.co.uk. Mini bonds are an unsecured way for individuals to lend money…

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Equifax supports Street UK affordable online lending platform launch

27th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Equifax has been appointed by non-profit lender Street UK to support the launch of its online lending platform, offering affordable and responsible short-term personal loans with clear and transparent fees. Street UK provides loans to people underserved by traditional lenders. Its new online platform will offer personal loans of between £100 and £500 up to six…

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Callcredit Information Group acquires fraud and identity specialist Recipero

26th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Callcredit Information Group, backed by private equity firm, GTCR, has acquired Recipero. Recipero has built one of the world’s largest proprietary databases containing detailed information of the history and ownership of mobile devices, in a deal designed to accelerate the growth of the company’s fraud and identity protection strategy. Mike Gordon, CEO, Callcredit Information Group,…

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Financial Education report from the Money Charity

26th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Money has released research examining financial education in secondary schools. The Key Findings of the report: Financial education is not as effective as it should be. Almost two thirds of teachers tell us financial education in the UK is somewhat or very ineffective. The introduction of financial education to the curriculum achieved little on the…

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PRA Group confirms FCA authorisation

23rd September 2016 Consumer Collections |

PRA Group has announced its UK business has received full authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Tiku Patel, Chief Executive Officer of PRA Group Europe said “The FCA approval process requires very high standards of conduct and customer treatment and we are delighted to have received full authorization. Delivering fair customer outcomes is at the…

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Ofgem publishes complaint handling report

23rd September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Customers who make a complaint are less satisfied with how their supplier handles it compared to two years ago, according to Ofgem’s biennial complaints survey. Ofgem commissions a survey every two years which compares how suppliers deal with their domestic and micro-business customers’ complaints. Since complainants were last surveyed in 2014, the total number of…

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Council tax arrears is the biggest debt problem in Wales

22nd September 2016 Consumer Collections |

A new report from Citizens Advice Wales “Fairness for all – Improving council tax debt collection in Wales” highlights the findings of research undertaken to better understand the recent increase in council tax arrears seen over the last few years. Council tax arrears is now the largest debt issue representing 13%t  of all debt issues. Council…

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