Millions of customer still face “Credit Blackout”

3rd April 2017 Consumer Collections |

More than three million people have been frozen out of credit in the past 12 months, despite mainstream lenders promising to increase access, according to new research.  Almost one in five people who applied for credit in the last 12 months – either a credit card, personal loan or mortgage – had their applications refused,…

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118 118 Money receives FCA authorisation

27th March 2017 Consumer Collections |

118 118 Money has received full authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Since launching in Cardiff, Wales in 2013, the lender has issued more than £150million in unsecured personal loans ranging from £1,000-£5,000, to customers who are unable to receive credit from their banks. Mark Burgess, COO and Interim CEO of 118 118 Money…

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Britain’s poorest, excluded from banking, turn to high-cost credit

27th March 2017 Consumer Collections |

Poorer people in Britain are being excluded from the financial system and forced to rely on expensive and substandard banking products, according to a new report. There are 1.7 million adults in the country that do not have access to a bank account, the report said, raising the risk that they will turn to high-cost…

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Bridging Finance Solutions and Target Group announce Partnership

22nd March 2017 Consumer Collections |

Target Group has signed a deal to supply its Bluechip Web Portal to Bridging Finance Solutions (BFS), the short-term property finance provider. To further improve processing efficiencies BFS panel solicitors will have access to their allocated cases via the portal and will be able to upload documentation and leave case notes, which updates the Bluechip…

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Starling Bank announces partnership with TransferWise

20th March 2017 Consumer Collections |

London fintech startup TransferWise has teamed up with UK-based, digital-only Starling Bank in a partnership aimed at providing easier and cheaper international money transfers. Launching in the UK this summer, the service will enable customers to make transfers from the UK across the 35 currencies available in the TransferWise app, including the euro, US dollars,…

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New regulation will deny credit access to 600,000 people

6th March 2017 Consumer Collections |

Over 600,000 consumers of short term loans may no longer have access to credit, according to a report by the Consumer Finance Association (CFA) and economic analysts, Oxera. Without access to a regulated form of finance many consumers are unable to take action to manage their cash flow or cover emergency financial costs. They could end…

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Payday loans complaints rise by 22%

28th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

The latest complaint figures released by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) shows that Payday loans complaints have risen by 22%. Complaints to the financial ombudsman about payday loans have risen to almost 200 a week. During the second half of 2016 the Financial Ombudsman Service received 5,095 new payday lending complaints, up 22% on the first six…

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Rise in Guarantor loan problems

20th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

The number of guarantor loan problems Citizens Advice has helped people with has risen by 40% over the last year, latest figures show. When taking out a guarantor loan the borrower gives the name of a guarantor, normally a friend or family member, who is then pursued for payment if the borrower can’t repay. Last…

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Tactics of doorstep lenders causing serious hardship

15th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Some doorstep lenders are taking advantage of their position and putting people at risk of serious debt problems, Citizens Advice warns. A new report published by the charity today has identified a number of concerning practices by some doorstep lenders. The evidence, submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority today as part of its review into…

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Overdraft charges could cost more than payday loans

8th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Which? is calling for the regulator to act on un-arranged overdraft fees after new research finds charges from big high street banks could cost up to 180% of the amount borrowed. The Which? research has found that  consumers needing as little as £100 could be charged up to £156 more by some major high street banks…

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Buddy Loans secures full FCA approval

7th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Buddy Loans has received full accreditation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), enabling the U.K.’s leading guarantor loan provider to give more consumers access to credit. The Cheadle-based company was set-up in 2013 by entrepreneurs Guy Mackenzie and Nicholas Zapolski, to provide consumers, who have been refused loans from mainstream lenders, with affordable credit.  Buddy…

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New lender gains FCA approval

31st January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Nava Finance Limited today announced that the Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed that as of 27 January, 2017 Nava Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA, enabling Nava to begin offering personal loans to UK consumers. The company is now focused on working towards an initial launch date, which will be announced when…

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Consumer borrowing increases in December

25th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

The British Bankers’ Association (BBA) has releases it’s latest figures indicating a growth in consumer borrowing during December, but there are signs that demand may soften in 2017 as consumers and businesses anticipate higher interest rates. Gross mortgage borrowing totalled £12.6bn, up 3.6% from December 2015; while net mortgage borrowing grew by 2.5% compared to December…

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