Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
One in three consumers (35%) have checked their credit score during lockdown, with four million people looking at it for the first time according to latest research from TransUnion The research has revealed that this increased interest is due to people having more time (33%), with many on reduced working hours, combined with concerns about…
Read moreNew insights from Experian’s Credit Barometer suggests consumers’ chances of getting approved for credit are now 60% higher than at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown Consumers now have a wider choice of credit cards and loans, because more lenders are returning to the market as the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease. Around half of lenders…
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The Bank of England’s latest money statistics has indicated that despite an increase in mortgage borrowing there was still a significant net decline in consumer credit. The statistics indicate that the amount consumers owed on credit cards and loans fell by a record amount over the last 12 months. A slump in borrowing and spending…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out new best practice guidance for firms to do more to protect vulnerable consumers. The second consultation is its revised guidance for firms on the fair treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances, alongside new research on the experiences of vulnerable consumers. More than 24 million people display one…
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The Financial Conduct Authority has announced that it will introduce a ban on discretionary commission models. The ban, follows a consultation in October 2019. Currently, some car retailers and motor finance brokers receive a commission that is linked to the interest rate that customers pay – creating an incentive to sell more expensive credit to…
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The Financial Conduct Authority has launched its updated Financial Services (FS) Register – including a simpler design and clearer language. The redesign aims to help consumers protect themselves from harm and will provide a better experience for the Register’s users. The Register – which had more than 7 million unique users in the past year…
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The financial questions consumers find most baffling are – what loan-to-value means, the difference between PCP and PCH finance and what a balloon payment is, according to new research by Virgin Money. The bank’s survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed almost a third of consumer (31 per cent) are confused when it comes to money…
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Consumers over-55s are expected to borrow £19 billion less over the next two years as a result of the coronavirus crisis, according to new research from equity release lender, more2life, and economics consultancy, Cebr. The reduction is expected to be due to the older generation being more cautious amid the current economic uncertainty and cutting…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says that it is seeking views on extending the implementation deadlines for the Certification Regime and Conduct Rules In a new consultation paper, the FCA says it is making changes to its rules following the extension to the deadline by which FCA solo-regulated firms need to have implemented the Certification…
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Lenders have provided over one million payment deferrals on credit cards to help customers whose finances have been affected by Covid-19 over the past three months, according to figures published by UK Finance. The trade body’s members have also provided almost 707,000 payment deferrals on personal loans for customers impacted by the pandemic. In addition,…
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Latest figures in The Bank of England Credit Conditions Survey’ have found that demand for lending suffered a fall during the three months to the end of May. The survey suggests demand for loans is set to increase at a time when banks start to slow down lending and prepare for a wave of bad…
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New research from TransUnion’s study tracking the impact of the pandemic has shown that over a quarter (27%) of UK households now do not expect any future financial impact as a result of the pandemic, almost double the figure (14%) when the study began in March. TransUnion says that this demonstrates the steadying effect that…
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The government has confirmed that the new statutory Breathing Space scheme will launch in May next year. The government has published draft regulations titled The Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. The news will mean that people in problem debt will be able to access 60…
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