Six months to EU Money Laundering Directive – are companies ready?

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

As the six month countdown to implement the fourth EU Money Laundering Directive (MLD4) begins, companies need to ensure they are ready for the new requirements, or they risk hefty penalties.  John Marsden, Head of ID and Fraud at Equifax said “At least a hundred billion pounds, equivalent to the GDP of Ukraine, is reportedly being…

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Loan market needs to be clearer and fairer to all

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

The loan market in the UK is not fit for purpose according to research by Saga Money.  The practice of offering teaser rates to tempt people into applying for a loan, only to be hit with a much higher rate on application, is rife in the market and is unfair to consumers.  The average of…

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Unsecured debt hits new peak of nearly £13,000 per household

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

New analysis published by the TUC shows that household debt rose sharply over 2016, with unsecured debt (debt other than mortgages) reaching new highs. The TUC says weak wage growth has left more families reliant on borrowing to support their living standards. The analysis finds that: Unsecured debt per household rose to £12,887 in the…

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Challenger banks could help vulnerable customers

20th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Managing Director of RBS’s personal and business banking division said customers would benefit if the power to open basic accounts was broadened A greater number of vulnerable customers would take up basic banking services if challenger banks could offer no-frills accounts, a Government committee has heard. Moray McDonald, managing director of Royal Bank of…

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Lloyds Bank to acquire MBNA for £1.9 billion

19th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

http://www.cityam.com/255938/lloyds-banking-group-snaps-up-bank-americas-mbna-credit

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31% of Students rely on Overdrafts, Credit Cards and Payday Loans

16th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

Future Finance, a specialist student loans company, has raised concerns surrounding students’ abilities to finance their educations. In a survey, which questioned 1,000 full-time students, said that 31% have had to use credit cards, payday loans and overdrafts to finance their university experience. John Hudson, manager of Funding and Financial Support at the University of Nottingham: “While…

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Gross lending up 3% in November

16th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has published its new latest findings and reports that gross lending of £21 billion in November – up by an estimated 3% on October, and also 3% up on a year ago. The CML’s lending forecasts for 2017 have been revised downwards from the previous expectations of a year ago, reflecting economic…

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December 2016: Money Statistics

13th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

The latest Money Stats indicate that consumer credit has risen above £190 billion, the highest level seen since 2008. The report by the Money Charity says that’s £7,042 for every household in the UK in credit cards, personal loans and other borrowing not secured against property. Day-to-day, people have more control over how much they borrow…

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FCA launches market study on competition in the mortgage sector

12th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today launched a market study to consider whether competition in the mortgage sector can be improved to benefit consumers. The FCA wants to understand whether consumers are empowered to choose on an informed basis between products and services and are in a position to understand whether these represent good…

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Robust growth in consumer used car finance

9th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business in the point-of-sale (POS) consumer used car finance market grew 12% by value and 9% by volume in October, compared with the same month last year. The POS consumer new car finance market also reported new business up 8% by value…

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Consumer finance up 6% in October

9th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show growth of 6% in consumer finance new business in October, compared with the same month last year. Credit card and personal loan new business together grew by 7% compared with October 2015, while retail store and online credit new business fell by 4%. Second charge…

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Castle Trust Capital to acquire Omni Capital Retail Finance

5th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

Castle Trust Capital plc (CTC) has entered into an agreement to acquire Omni Capital Retail Finance Limited “Omni Capital). Completion of the transaction is expected during the first quarter of 2017 and is subject to the approval of the Financial Conduct Authority. Sean Oldfield, CTC’s chief executive officer, said: “The Omni Capital Retail Finance business…

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Rise in debt fuelled by credit card spending

5th December 2016 Consumer Collections |

The number of British consumers who have taken on more debt over the last five years has risen sharply to 37%, up from 27% just a year ago, according to a UK-wide survey by Arrow Global. The findings come from a survey of 2,008 consumers with debt, including 804 debt defaulters (borrowers have been late with…

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