Cost of living reshaping Christmas traditions

23rd December 2025 Consumer Lending |

New research from Aegon has revealed that most people value time with loved ones over expensive gifts this Christmas, as the cost-of-living crisis reshapes festive traditions. The survey found that 57% of people say spending time with loved ones matters most, while only 9% prioritise gifts. The average total spend in the UK on Christmas…

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Consumer finance new business grew by 6% in October 2025

12th December 2025 Consumer Lending | #consumer credit

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew in October 2025 by 6% compared with the same month in 2024.  In the ten months to October 2025, new business in this market was 5% higher than in the same period in 2024. The credit card and…

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One in five have less than £1,000 in savings

11th December 2025 Consumer Lending | #savings

New data from AJ Bell has found that one-in-five (19%) people have less than £1,000 saved in an emergency cash pot. The data showed that younger people tend to have less saved than older people – 21% of over 55s have £20,000 or more saved in an emergency cash pot, while 37% of 18 to…

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FCA looks to boost growth of Credit Unions and Building Societies

8th December 2025 Consumer Lending |

A new report from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) looks to promote the growth of the mutuals sector, which includes customer or worker-owned organisations and credit unions. The FCA’s report offers a series of recommendations aimed at encouraging Credit Unions to expand and to offer more services. Credit Unions serve 2 million members and hold…

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Mortgage borrowing falls to £4.3bn in October

Latest Bank of England data has shown that mortgage debt fell back to £4.3 billion in October, after a rise to £5.2 billion in September.. The data shows that gross lending slightly decreased in October, to £24.5bn from £24.8bn, with gross repayments increasing by £1.5 billion to £22.1 billion in October. Net mortgage approvals for…

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Gen-Z making twice the amount of impulse purchases as the average person

A new survey by leading specialist bank Vanquis has revealed that Gen Z shoppers are making nearly double the number of impulse purchases as the average person, fuelled by platforms like TikTok, leaving many with financial regrets. Gen Z spends multiple hours a day on social media, with many relying on it as a source…

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Insurance customers turning to monthly credit

26th November 2025 Consumer Lending | #insurance

Paying for insurance with credit is continuing to gain popularity with customers valuing the ability to pay insurance bills monthly, according to new research by Premium Credit. Premium Credit’s Insurance Index found 28% of adults say they are more accepting of using credit to pay for insurance cover than they were a year ago confirming…

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One in eight believe they’ll need £100,000 a year for retirement

11th November 2025 Consumer Lending | #cost of retirement

More than one in eight people (13%) believe they would personally need more than £100,000 each year for a good standard of living in retirement, according to new research from Royal London. The figure is significantly higher than the £43,900 industry body Pensions UK’s Retirement Living Standards estimates that a comfortable standard of living will…

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FCA issues warning over credit builder products

10th November 2025 Consumer Lending | #credit building

New Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) research has warned that people should review and avoid using certain credit builder products. The review looked into credit builder products and the harm that they can cause to consumers, particularly if they are struggling with debt. Credit builder products claim to help people build a record of making payments,…

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1.9m have turned to loan sharks in the past 12 months

4th November 2025 Buy Now Pay Later | #loan sharks

Up to 1.9 million adults, equivalent to 4% of the population, are estimated to have used unlicensed money lenders or loan sharks in the past 12 months, according to an IPSOS UK survey commissioned by Fair4All Finance. The cost of living crisis has exacerbated this situation for many, reducing households’ headroom to absorb unexpected financial…

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Coalition of businesses and charities demand home ownership reform for millions of renters

A coalition of businesses and charities have outlined a series of demands for urgent reform to unlock home ownership for millions of renters. Following a summit in London on 29th October, the group have sent a joint letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, urging reforms that would ensure renters’ payment history is…

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Credit card spending rose by 2.4% in July

Latest data from UK Finance has found that there were 415 million credit card transactions in July, 2.4 per cent more than in July 2024. The total spend of £22.8 billion was 2.1 per cent higher than July 2024. Outstanding balances on credit card accounts have increased by 7.5 per cent over the twelve months…

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Second charge mortgages increased by 10% in August

15th October 2025 Consumer Lending | #mortgages

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that second charge mortgage new business volumes grew by 10% in August 2025. Commenting on the latest new business figures for the second charge mortgage market, Fiona Hoyle, Director of Consumer & Mortgage Finance and Inclusion at the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), said…

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