Rise in debt fuelled by credit card spending

5th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

The number of British consumers who have taken on more debt over the last five years has risen sharply to 37%, up from 27% just a year ago, according to a UK-wide survey by Arrow Global. The findings come from a survey of 2,008 consumers with debt, including 804 debt defaulters (borrowers have been late with…

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FCA launches call for input on high-cost credit and overdrafts

29th November 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today announced that it is seeking evidence and feedback to further inform its work on high-cost credit, including a review of the payday loan price cap.  Since taking over regulation of consumer credit in April 2014, the FCA has focused on products that it believes pose the highest risks…

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October 2016 figures for high street banks

28th November 2016 Consumer Collections |

The BBA has released high street bank figures for October. Dr Rebecca Harding, BBA Chief Economist, said “Consumer credit is now growing at its fastest rate since November 2006, reflecting strong retail sales growth. Consumer confidence remains robust as borrowers take advantage of record low interest rates. Mortgage approvals ticked up a little October.  There has only…

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Card payments grow by 0.6% in September

28th November 2016 Consumer Collections |

The UK Card Payments Association has announced that payment card spending grew by 0.6 per cent in September to reach £54.7 billion, driven largely by a £302 million rise in debit card spending. Card spending increased by £4.4 billion in the three months to the end of September compared to the previous quarter, a 2.8%…

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The challenges families face managing debt

23rd November 2016 Consumer Collections |

A new study from Citizens Advice reveals the challenges faced by “just about managing families” and says many of the problems are ‘fixable’. The report is based on new analysis of the problems faced by the 700,000 working people helped by Citizens Advice between October 2015 and September 2016.  It identifies the most common challenges…

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One in Seven consumers pay more than necessary via their direct debits

21st November 2016 Consumer Collections |

Consumers are losing trust in businesses as a result of poor billing practices and being pushed onto direct debit arrangements, according to new research by Echo Managed Services. Research with a representative sample of 1,000 UK adults revealed that 15% of consumers had been put on a tariff where they are paying more than necessary.…

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Consumer finance rises 7% in September

11th November 2016 Consumer Collections |

The latest figures from the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show growth of 7% in consumer finance new business in September, compared with the same month last year. In Q3 2016, new business was also up by 7% compared with the same quarter in 2015. Credit card and personal loan new business together grew by 8%…

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One in three customers disengaged with businesses as a result of online billing

28th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

The growing prevalence of online billing is putting businesses and service providers at risk of losing touch with customers according to new research, which reveals that almost one in three consumers have become distant from their bills as a result. The research of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 UK adults by Echo Managed Services, revealed…

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Visa’s profits rise 28%

23rd October 2016 Consumer Collections |

http://www.cityam.com/252161/visas-profits-jump-28-per-cent-consumer-spending-spree

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Over 9 million people to pay for Christmas on a credit card

14th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

According to the Centre for Retail Research, over 9 million people will pay for Christmas on a credit card. 70% of people admit they haven’t started saving for Christmas, meaning millions of others will have to play catch up with their finances in the short run up to Christmas. The research also found that the average household…

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Consumer Finance continues to grow

10th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show growth of 16% in consumer finance new business in August, compared with the same month last year. Credit card and personal loan new business together grew by 17% compared with August 2015, while retail store and online credit new business increased by 6%…

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Financial Conduct Authority: PacNet announcement

7th October 2016 Consumer Collections |

Following a decision by the United States Department of the Treasury(link is external) to designate the PacNet Group as a ‘significant transnational criminal organisation’, we understand that the ceasing of PacNet Group firms’ operations has led to some customer payments, including direct debits, not reaching creditors and firms. Firms affected by this should assess their payment…

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ICO fines Ocean Finance after sending seven million spam texts

29th September 2016 Consumer Collections |

Intelligent Lending, trading as Ocean Finance has been fined £130,000 after sending more than seven million texts offering a new credit card powered by a major lender. Manchester-based Ocean Finance believed it was complying with the law because the third party firm it obtained names and phone numbers from claimed it had people’s consent to send…

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