FCA report calls for mortgage innovation

4th May 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its interim report into the mortgage market. The FCA found that competition in the mortgage market is working well for many people. The FCA has identified a number of ways in which the market could work better for some people. The FCA’s proposals are particularly aimed at helping…

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Judges confirmed for the Credit & Collections Technology Awards

3rd May 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Credit & Collections Technology Awards has confirmed the judges for the 2018 event. Launched in 2017, the second annual awards seek to recognise excellence in credit and collections technology. The judging panel includes industry association leaders whose expertise includes specialisms from a diversity of different backgrounds, this ranges from consumer and business commercial through to lending and collections.…

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Consumers silently struggling with debt

3rd May 2018 Consumer Collections |

More than half of consumers with debt are struggling according to a new poll that reveals most people take on the strain themselves rather than seek help. The Nationwide Building Society poll of more than 2,000 UK adults reveals that of those in debt, 57 percent are experiencing debt problems and feel like they are…

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Consumer credit data indicates monthly slowdown in lending rate growth

1st May 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Bank of England has published its latest monthly Money and Credit report showing consumer credit growth was 8.6 percent in the year to March 2018, down from 9.4 percent in February. Outstanding balances for consumer credit stand at £209.2 billion exceeding the previous quarterly peak of £208.2 billion in the third quarter of 2008. The…

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Ireland Money and Banking Statistics: March 2018

30th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Ireland’s Central Bank has released its latest money and banking statistics for March 2018. The figures show that lending for house purchase increased by €184 million.  This represents the fifth consecutive month of positive annual growth. Other highlights include: Developments in Household credit and deposits Loans to households, adjusted for loan sales and securitisations, declined…

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PRA rule change limits Lender choice for portfolio landlords

26th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) rules introduced at the end of September 2017 are having a significant impact on the buy-to-let mortgage market according to Paragon’s latest PRS Trends research. The research is based on interviews with 203 experienced landlords in Q1 2018. The new rules comprise the second phase of the PRA’s buy-to-let underwriting standards and…

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Irish redress payments reach €459 million

25th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Irish Central Bank has published its April update on the Tracker Mortgage Examination, showing that, at end-March, banks and smaller lenders had paid out €459 million to customers affected by their failings. This is an increase of €162 million since the December update on the Examination. The update also showed that an additional 3,400…

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Illegal Lenders to face crackdown

25th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Illegal lending loan sharks will face a fresh new crackdown today as the government announces new funding to tackle unlawful lending. Over £5.5 million will be spent to fund the fight against loan sharks, helping to investigate and prosecute illegal lenders and support their victims. 100,000 of money already seized from loan sharks will also…

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Arrears and repossessions increase expected

25th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Levels of arrears and repossessions are expected to grow this year, according to Jackie Bennett, Director of Mortgages at UK Finance, at the UK Finance Speaking at a UK Finance annual mortgage lunch,  Bennett noted that arrears were at a historic low in 2017 with 89,000 people with arrears balances of 2.5% or more of their…

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Finance industry calls for collaboration to tackle cyber threat

25th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Greater organisational collaboration across the financial services sector, working alongside law enforcement and Government agencies, will be the key means of putting cybercriminals out of business according to the latest report from UK Finance and KPMG launched today. The report, “Staying Ahead of Cybercrime”  discusses how greater cooperation both within businesses and between firms, law enforcement…

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FCA warns of loan scam

24th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is urging the public to be alert to the growing threat of loan fee scams targeting borrowers. This plea comes as last year over £3.5 million was lost to loan fee fraud and reports to the FCA consumer helpline increased by 44%. Victims of loan fee fraud are often targeted…

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More than four in ten consumers admit financial struggle

23rd April 2018 Consumer Collections |

More than four in 10 consumers have admited they struggle to make ends meet financially, a study has found. The findings, from a survey of 2,000 UK adults, revealed 43 per cent are short of the cash they need to pay the bills an average of seven months each year.But one quarter said money is…

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Latest FCA data shows 3.76 million complaints about financial services firms

20th April 2018 Consumer Collections |

Latest data released by The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows that there was 3.76 million complaints made against financial services companies during the second half of 2017, an increase of 427,032 on the first half of the year. Complaints about PPI rose by 40% to 1.55 million, the highest level of complaints about PPI for…

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