Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Bolton-based Hoot Savings & Loans has secured a stronger future for its members, joining forces with Manchester Credit Union (MCU) in a deal that extends access to affordable financial services across the north west. The merger secures the future for Hoot’s 6,500 members in Bolton and Bury and adds them to Manchester Credit Union’s 30,000-strong…
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The modern ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ is expected to contribute around £30,000 (£30,209) towards a child’s biggest life milestones and two-thirds (66%) wish they could contribute even more financial help, according to new Yorkshire Building Society research. Analysis of the study found that parents who help fund key moments throughout their child’s life save…
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Almost one in three first-time buyers were considering variable and tracker mortgages in July as higher fixed rates push homebuyers to rethink how they finance their first home, new Moneyfactscompare.co.uk analysis. In July, 31.3% of first-time buyers (FTBs) researching mortgages on Moneyfactscompare.co.uk were considering variable or tracker mortgages, compared with just 9.5% in February. The…
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The equity release market returned to growth during Q2 2026, with lending and customer activity increasing as customer demand returned following a slower start to the year. According to the latest data from the Equity Release Council, total lending increased to £597 million during Q2 2026, up 4% on the previous quarter (£574m). Overall customer numbers also…
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Latest Bank of England data has shown that the total assets held by Credit Unions increased by nearly £100,000 to £4.99 billion in 2025, up 2% from the previous year. Membership also continued to grow, increasing by 0.80% to 2.29 million members. Total income increased by 6.03% in 2025 to £444.47 million, following growth of…
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Hodge Bank has announced that it has acquired the business and certain assets of Blue Motor Finance Limited through a pre-pack Administration process. Simon Edel, Alan Hudson and Richard Barker of EY Parthenon were appointed as Joint Administrators of the company, and the sale was completed immediately upon their appointment. The agreement means that the…
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New research from Trustpilot has found that 92% (over nine on ten) of financial services leaders say their organisation has a strategy focused on when and how their brand appears in answers from AI tools like ChatGPT or Google AI Mode (often called an ‘AI visibility strategy’). But nearly half (47%) are not collecting feedback…
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Businesses across the UK will benefit from greater transparency over the card fees they pay, after the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) confirmed new requirements on Mastercard and Visa. The measures follow the PSR’s market review of card scheme and processing fees. Card scheme and processing fees are paid by businesses to accept card payments –…
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Blue Motor Finance Limited (BMFL) has been placed into administration. Simon Edel, Richard Barker and Alan Michael Hudson of Ernst & Young LLP have been appointed as joint administrators. BMFL operated as a motor finance lender; the firm had been running at a loss for several years and faced significant compensation liabilities it could not…
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The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has executed search warrants across the UK as it cracks down on suspected nuisance marketing linked to car finance mis-selling claims as part of the joint regulatory taskforce. More than 12 million complaints about nuisance marketing text messages have been submitted by the public since September 2025, with up to…
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The Bank of England maintained interest rates at 3.75% in a 6-to-3 vote. The Committee said that it is appropriate to maintain the Bank Rate at this meeting. The Committee stands ready to act as necessary to ensure that CPI inflation remains on track to meet the 2% target in the medium term. Commenting on the…
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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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Latest Bank of England data has shown that mortgage lending more than doubled from £3.3 billion in May to £7.7 billion in June. June’s figure was also substantially higher than the previous six-month average of £4.9 billion. Mortgage approvals for house purchases increased to 58,200 in June, from 56,600 in May. However, this was below…
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