Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Latest data from UK Finance has found that mortgage lending activity dipped in early Quarter 2 (Q2) following stamp duty changes but had recovered by June, with forward‑looking application data pointing to continued momentum into the third Quarter. The FCA’s mortgage affordability stress test has helped keep arrears low on mortgages granted since its introduction, but…
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Latest Bank of England data showed mortgage approvals for house purchases rose in July for a third consecutive month, Mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 800 in July, to 65,400. Approvals for remortgaging decreased by 2700 in July, to 38,900. Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals decreased by £0.9 billion to £4.5 billion…
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Since the financial crisis of 2008-9, 3.3 million prospective homeowners have missed out on the opportunity to own a home according to new research by leading Pepper Money. The research indicates that if pre-crash financial trends continued, then this would have enabled 3.3 million more households to geton the property ladder. The findings come in…
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Latest data from UK Finance has shown that credit card spending rises to £21.8bn, an increase of 1.8 per cent when compared to May 2024. There were 394.4 million credit card transactions in May, 3.1 per cent more than in May 2024. Outstanding balances on credit card accounts have grown by 6.4 per cent over…
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Latest credit card market data from global analytics software leader FICO shows how rising spend and falling payments to balance are continuing to push up average balances. Increased spending follows expected seasonal trends, but the percentage of balance paid continues to trend downwards, which will be a concern for lenders. The data showed that spending…
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The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to reduce the base rate from 4.25% to 4%. The MPC voted 5 to 4 in favour of the move, with the dissenting members preferring to leave rates unchanged at 4.25%. Commenting on the change, Ryan McGrath, Director of Second Charge Mortgages at Pepper Money, said “Interest rates…
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New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew in June 2025 by 11% compared with the same month in 2024. In the first half of 2025, new business in this market was 5% higher than in the same period in 2024. The credit card and personal…
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New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that FLA members across the asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance markets provided £80.3 billion of new lending in the first half of 2025, 4% higher than in the same period 2024. Of this total £20.2 billion was provided to businesses for investment…
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Younger generations are challenging outdated stereotypes that they are financially irresponsible by showing greater dedication to saving and investing than their older counterparts, new research from Scottish Friendly has revealed. The research shows that while a third (31%) of adults are saving less than they were a year ago, Millennials and Gen Z are nearly twice…
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Lenders’ online and in-app application processes can help prospective borrowers understand what they’re signing up for, a review by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found. However, improvements could be made to these digital processes so that consumers can make informed decisions about their finances. The FCA’s review is part of its strategic focus…
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Latest Bank of England data has shown that net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £3.1 billion to £5.3 billion in June, compared to a £2.8 billion increase to £2.2 billion of net borrowing in May. The ‘effective’ interest rate – the actual interest paid – on newly drawn mortgages decreased for the…
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Latest Bank of England data has shown that net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals rose to £1.4 billion, from £0.9 billion in the previous month. et borrowing through other forms of consumer credit remained broadly unchanged at £0.7 billion over the same period. Commenting on the date, Richard Pinch, Senior Director of Risk at…
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£6.4 billion per year could be added to the UK economy by improving financial inclusion, according to new economic modelling by WPI Economics, commissioned by Fair4All Finance, the not-for-profit financial inclusion organisation. The study shows that £5.9 billion could be raised annually from increased productivity and employment due to improved financial wellbeing. A further £110…
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