Brits to spend out an estimated £6.6bn on spontaneous overseas holidays

Brits are projected to splash out an estimated £6.6 billion on spontaneous spending while on holiday abroad this year as they look to make the most of their overseas breaks, research from savings app Spring has revealed. A survey of 2,000 Brits found that 79% of holidaymakers admit to spending extra on spontaneous purchases while…

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Mortgage approvals hit 15-month high

Latest Bank of England data has shown that mortgage approvals reached a 15-month high of 65,900 in April, a 3% increase from March. Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals fell to £4.4 billion in April, from £6.8 billion in March, below the previous 6-month average of £5.1 billion. Approvals for remortgaging were broadly unchanged…

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2026 Credit & Collections Industry Award winners revealed

The winners of the 2026 Credit & Collection Industry Awards have been announced following a live in-person event yesterday (Thursday 21st May) at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham. There were 19 winners (three of which were partnership wins) from the awards categories, which were presented by awards compere Eshaan Akbar. The Credit & Collections Industry Awards were…

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Consumer finance new business grew by 9% in March

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew by 9% in March 2026 compared with the same month in 2025.  In Q1 2026, new business in this market was 6% higher than in Q1 2025. The credit card and personal loans sectors together reported new business…

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Consumer credit growth climbs to 8.9%

Latest data from the Bank of England has shown that consumer credit growth climbing to 8.9%, exceeding the 8.6% recorded in February. Within this total, the annual growth rate for credit card borrowing increased to 12.3% from 12.1% a month earlier. Consumer deposits with banks and building societies increased by £5.5 billion in March. The…

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FCA to review APRs as a borrowing cost

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a review into whether Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) help consumers understand borrowing costs, with the regulator seeking views on whether it should change how these are communicated in credit advertising. APRs indicate the yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and fees. A representative APR means at least half…

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Consumer finance grew by 5% in February

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew by 5% in February 2026 compared with the same month in 2025.  In the first two months of 2026, new business in this market was 4% higher than in the same period in 2025. The credit card and…

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Mortgage borrowing increased to £4.8bn in February

Latest Bank of England data has shown that net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased to £4.8 billion in February, from £4.2 billion in January. The rise in February is also above the previous six-month average of £4.5 billion. The data also shows that net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased to 62,600 in…

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New accessibility guidelines launched for payment cards

UK Finance has launched a new Accessible Cards Code of Practice, designed to help customers with accessibility needs or impaired vision use payment cards in-store and online. The Code means the UK is the first country in the world to have national common accessibility guidelines for flat printed payment cards. The new guidelines cover physical…

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Consumers reduced credit card spending in January

Latest FICO analysis of credit card data for January 2026 shows a post-Christmas reduction in spending as customers prioritised payments after the festive break. However, with spending lower year-on-year and increases in missed payments, the financial pressures that were a feature of the UK economy for the majority of 2025 have continued into the new…

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Credit card repayment rates fall

A new analysis of its credit card data for 2025 by global analytics software specialist FICO has found a fundamental shift in market dynamics from traditional cyclical patterns to clearer management of affordability challenges. The year was characterised by consumers struggling to manage existing debt levels, with average balances reaching record highs while payment rates fell. The…

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21% of first-time buyers believe they need to be debt-free for mortgage approval

New research from Compare the Market suggests there  is still some uncertainty around how credit cards factor into mortgage applications, with 21% of prospective first-time buyers believing they need to be completely debt-free to be approved for a  mortgage1 The survey findings indicate that around one in ten prospective first-time buyers believe they must never…

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UK faces financial literacy crisis as households misjudge credit risks

The UK is facing a growing financial literacy crisis, with millions of households navigating credit without fully understanding how it works, according to new research from Creditspring.  As borrowing becomes faster and more accessible, consumers risk making costly, but entirely avoidable, financial decisions. Across the UK, understanding of even the most basic credit concepts remains…

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