Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Consumer confidence has improved in the run-up to Christmas, according to the latest GfK consumer confidence index. The index score has risen two points since last month but remains firmly in negative territory at minus 22 – an improvement on the minus 29 reported this time last year. All five components within the survey saw…
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Six in ten (62%) people in the UK have a credit card, however nearly two thirds (65%) don’t fully understand how their credit card use can impact their credit score, according to research from Compare the Market. The research found that although nearly a third (31%) of people say they have a “strong” credit score,…
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Consumers are feeling more optimistic as the headline inflation rate begins to fall according to latest research by TransUnion. As signs suggest significantly improved economic fundamentals, consumers are reporting more positive sentiment. Overall, 37% of UK consumers are feeling optimistic about their household finances, up from just 28% in Q4 2022. The study also shows…
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One in four people (14 million people) plan to borrow money for Christmas according to research by the Money and Pensions Service. The survey of 3,016 UK adults, commissioned by the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), shows that one in four (26%) are likely to borrow or use credit for upcoming holidays like Christmas and…
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Latest Bank of England has found that consumer borrowing fell in October, showing that consumers borrowed £1.3 billion last month compared to £1.4 billion in September. The decline came as consumers borrowed less on credit cards, with the rate of other forms of credit remaining stable. The data also showed that individuals repaid, on net,…
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New research from GfK has found that there were signs shoppers were feeling more confident in their spending. GKF’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index was still in negative territory in November, but had increased by six points to -24. Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director GfK, said “Consumer confidence strengthened in November with improvements across all measures.…
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Latest data by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) has shown that consumer finance new business fell in September 2023 by 3% compared with the same month in 2022. In the nine months to September 2023, new business also remained 3% lower than in the same period in 2022. The retail store and online credit…
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Latest data from UK Finance has found that there were 377.9 million credit card transactions in August, 0.1 per cent fewer than in August 2022. The total spend of £20.6 billion was 2 per cent higher than August 2022. Outstanding balances on credit card accounts have grown by 8.5 per cent over the twelve months…
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UK inflation fell sharply in October to 4.6 per cent, its lowest rate in two years, down from 6.7 per cent the month before, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Commenting on the date Andy Mielczarek, Founder and CEO of SmartSave, a Chetwood Financial company, said “Any drop in the rate of inflation…
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New research by car finance provider, Ford Credit has uncovered a gap in consumer financial literacy with one in ten admitting they can’t confidently explain key financial topics. More than 50% of people looking to buy a car in the next 12 months plan to use car finance; this comes at a time when the…
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New research by. by Opinium for Hargreaves Lansdown has found that half of people are borrowing to cover the cost of nasty surprises – including two thirds of young people, parents, and high earners The research found that people are much less likely to have avoided expenses out of the blue (46%) than we were…
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Mortgage lending is expected to record decade-low growth in 2023 and 2024, according to the latest EY ITEM Club Outlook for Financial Services, as mortgage rates reach their highest since 2008, economic growth remains subdued and weakening housing market sentiment drives down demand. Overall, mortgage loans in 2023 are expected to rise just 1.5% (net) and 2% (net)…
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Latest cost of living research from Royal London has revealed how consumers have raided their savings to cover the rising cost of living. The cost of housing, food and energy bills have risen by an average of £494 a month by September this year when compared with August 2022. In the fourth wave of its…
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