Chair appointed to new integrated Association

10th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Bob Wigley has been announced as the chair of the new integrated trade association called Financial Services Trade Association, which will bring together six member organisations operating across a wide range of financial services in the UK. The six trade associations which are set to merge are: The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) British Bankers’…

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Continued growth in consumer finance in 2016

10th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

The latest figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show growth of 9% in consumer finance new business in 2016. New business in December grew by 2% compared with the same month in 2015. Credit card and personal loan new business together grew by 8% in 2016, while retail store and online credit…

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BNP Paribas appoint new UK compliance head

10th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

BNP Paribas has named Francois Regnier as it’s new head of its compliance team in the UK. Regnier has worked at BNP Paribas since 2001, according to his LinkedIn profile, most recently serving as its chief operating officer and deputy to Verstraeten. His appointment was announced internally to the bank’s UK compliance department earlier in Januar. Regnier…

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Mortgage possessions fall in Q4 of 2016

10th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

The number of properties taken into possession last year declined by almost 25%, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Last year’s total of 7,700 cases of possession compared with 10,200 in 2015, and was the lowest number since 1982. Over the course of 2016, the number of mortgages in arrears also fell by 7%. However,…

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Second-charge mortgage repossessions 37% lower in 2016

9th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that the number of second charge mortgage repossessions was 144 in 2016, almost 37% lower than in 2015. In the final quarter of 2016, the number of repossessions was 39, up by 18% compared with the same quarter in 2015. The rate of second-charge…

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Overdraft charges could cost more than payday loans

8th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Which? is calling for the regulator to act on un-arranged overdraft fees after new research finds charges from big high street banks could cost up to 180% of the amount borrowed. The Which? research has found that  consumers needing as little as £100 could be charged up to £156 more by some major high street banks…

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Danske Bank mortgage lending grows by 96%

7th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Danske Bank has revealed its Northern Ireland business saw new mortgage lending approvals grow 96% over the past year. The Northern Irish arm reported a profit before impairments of £91million for the 12 months to the end of December 2016, a 5% increase on 2015. Kevin Kingston, CEO of Danske Bank UK, said it had introduced…

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47% of the UK classified as “just about managing”

6th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

New research from Provident Personal Credit has revealed that almost half (47%) of the UK consider themselves to be ‘just about managing’ (JAMS) financially. The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 14% had to give up necessities like food and daily travel costs to pay for unexpected expenses, with a further 11% of respondents saying they had…

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Principality Building Society appoints new CEO

6th February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Steve Hughes has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Principality Building Society. Hughes is currently the Finance and Transformation Director is set to move into the role in early March following Graeme Yorston’s decision to step down as CEO. Laurie Adams, chairman of Principality said “After a rigorous selection process, I am…

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CMA order moves Open Banking revolution closer

3rd February 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) shake-up of the banking industry will offer overdraft users the opportunity to save an average of £180 a year, while other current account holders can save an average of £92. In its final report on the retail banking market published last year, the CMA announced a package of reforms…

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Callcredit and Smartr365 announce partnership

3rd February 2017 Consumer Collections |

Callcredit Information Group has announced a partnership with a new to market fintech platform, Smartr365, to speed up mortgage applications and provide real-time affordability assessments. The partnership will include providing Smartr365 users with access to MOGObankconnect, an app that enables consumers to securely share online banking transaction data using their personal device, to confirm income…

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1 in 5 self-employed households struggling with financial worries

2nd February 2017 Consumer Collections |

The financial stresses and pressures of self-employment are taking their toll on family life, according to the latest report from Scottish Widows’ think tank, the Centre for the Modern Family. Findings of ‘Self-employment and the Family’ show that one in five relatives of a self-employed worker (20%) report increased stress levels in their household due…

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38% of consumers believe they get best deals through comparison sites

31st January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Latest research from Equifax has discovered that 38% of people, in the UK, believe they always get the best deals through a comparison website. The online survey, conducted by YouGov also found that 70% of people use a comparison website when choosing a financial product. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has recently launched a…

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