Low-deposit mortgages hit highest share in 18 years

9th September 2026 Consumer Lending | #featured#mortgages

Latest Mortgage Lenders and Administrators Statistics for Quarter 2 data from the Bank of England, have shown that low-deposit mortgages hit their highest share in 18 years. The data also showed that the value of outstanding mortgage balances with arrears decreased by 1.9% from the previous quarter to £19.7 billion, the lowest since 2023 Q3,…

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Mortgage borrowing and approvals fall

Latest Bank of England data shows mortgage approvals fell to 56,100 in July, down from 58,215 in June and below the six-month average of 60,800, as higher borrowing costs weighed on housing demand. The figure was below the average of around 60,800 over the previous six months. Approvals for remortgaging increased to 34,500 from 34,100,…

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Parents give children £403 a year in pocket money

2nd September 2026 Consumer Lending | #pocket money

New research by Confused.com has found that 66% currently give their child regular pocket money. A further 8% have done so in the past and 19% plan to start in the future. Among parents who currently give or previously gave pocket money and provided an amount, the most common weekly payment is £5 to £9.99…

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Consumer finance grew by 6% in June 2026

28th August 2026 Consumer Lending | #consumer finance

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business in June 2026 was 6% higher than in the same month in 2025.  In the first half of 2026, new business in this market was 5% higher than in the same period in 2025. The credit card and personal…

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Motor dealers embracing AI as finance

27th August 2026 Consumer Lending | #motor finance

New research from Close Brothers Motor Finance (CBMF) reveals that AI has transitioned into a mainstream operational tool for motor traders. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of UK motor dealerships are already actively using AI tools in their business today, with a further third (32%) planning to introduce them in the future. Among dealerships utilising or planning…

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Parents using credit cards and BNPL to cover back to school costs

Parents are taking different approaches to managing back-to-school costs, with 22% planning to use a credit card, 16% of parents planning to use Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to cover back-to-school costs, and 19% saying they have cut back on other spending to afford the return to school, new research from Compare the Market has…

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More young homeowners taking on 30 to 40-year mortgages

25th August 2026 Consumer Lending | #mortgages

Two-thirds of homeowners under 30 have mortgages lasting 30 to 40 years, with borrowers typically repaying them by age 59, according to analysis of 190,000 borrowers by Sprive. Analysis of more than 190,000 homeowners shows that two thirds (66%) of mortgage holders under 30 are now on terms of between 30 and 40 years. By…

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Credit card spending increases

25th August 2026 Consumer Lending | #credit cards

Latest data analysis by FICO has shown that average credit card spending increased by 5.6% to £835 in June. The average active balance increased 1.4% to a record £1,975, marking a 4.7% increase on a year earlier, while the proportion of balances repaid fell 2.4% month-on-month to 33.3%, with this 4.4% below June 2025. Missed…

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Consumer confidence continues to increase

Consumer confidence in the UK has reached its highest level for two years, according to GfK. The sentiment index rose two points to -14, marking an 11-point increase since April. The report shows that households are more optimistic about the economy and more willing to make major purchases. Savings intentions also fell, suggesting consumers may…

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Third of first-time buyers worry about being rejected for a mortgage

Many aspiring homeowners could be delaying their plans to get on the property ladder because they mistakenly believe they wouldn’t qualify for a mortgage, new research from Lloyds suggests. The study of more than 1,000 prospective first-time buyers found widespread confusion about what could prevent someone from getting a mortgage. More than half (58%) incorrectly…

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Nearly three in five fraud-risk cases linked to identity fraud

More than 220,000 fraud-risk cases were recorded to the UK National Fraud Database (NFD) in the first six months of 2026, with identity fraud accounting for 59%. The figures, revealed by fraud prevention service Cifas, mark the highest total volume of cases recorded throughout January-June. The latest data shows that stolen personal information is a…

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Fear prevents one in seven from applying for credit

New research from Compare the Market suggests that fear of being turned down for credit is preventing millions of people from applying for financial products altogether, as new Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) affordability checks are introduced across the UK. From 15th July 2026, BNPL providers will be required to carry out affordability and creditworthiness…

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One in four turn to credit cards, BNPL and overdrafts to fund impulse buys

While scrolling online at bedtime has become a nightly routine for many, according to new research from MoneySuperMarket. The research shows that  late-night browsing can have costly consequences, with one in five (22%) spending more than £200 in a single late-night shopping session. The research found that bedtime browsing is taking a toll on budgets,…

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