Regulators to tackle poor claims management practices

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) are joining together to tackle misleading advertising and inadequate information provided by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms working on motor finance claims, and the risk that excessive fees are charged to clients.  …

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Consumers cutting back as confidence in the economy falls

Consumer confidence in the UK economy fell during the last quarter, reaching the lowest point so far this year, according to KPMG’s latest Consumer Pulse survey. KPMG’s poll of 3000 UK consumers saw the number of people feeling that the economy is worsening increase from 51% to 62% in the last three months – and…

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Revolut and Monzo lead fraud complaints table

3rd October 2025 Consumer Lending | #fraud

A Freedom of Information request by Which? has found that Revolut and Monzo have emerged as the top banks for fraud complaints filed with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Revolut received 1,875 complaints, while Monzo had 1,063. The data is split between authorised push payment (APP) fraud and other scam or fraud complaints.  APP fraud involves…

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Households with £2,000 in savings are 60% less likely to fall behind on bills

2nd October 2025 Consumer Lending | #bills#savings

Households with £2,000 in savings are around 60% less likely to fall behind on household bills, according to new research from the University of Bristol’s Personal Finance Research Centre, commissioned by the Building Societies Association (BSA). The study, which followed thousands of UK households over a decade, provides new evidence that savings play a crucial…

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Over half of people now use mobile wallets

2nd October 2025 Buy Now Pay Later | #payments

New research by UK Finance has found that more people are now using digital payments, with rising use of in-app purchases, digital wallets, and Buy Now Pay Later for shopping. At the same time, cash payments have again fallen. These trends indicate that people are increasingly opting for digital payment options, a trend that is…

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94% don’t realise former flatmates could be affecting their credit score

1st October 2025 Consumer Lending | #credit

New research from MoneySuperMarket warned that former flatmate’s finances could be pulling down their credit score. Despite 79% of people having lived with a flatmate, 94% don’t realise that joint financial products – like shared bank accounts or bills –  can directly link their credit score to a housemate’s. Worryingly, only 8% of those surveyed…

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Mortgage borrowing fell in August

Latest Bank of England data showed that net borrowing of mortgage debt fell by £200 million month-on-month to £4.3 billion in August. This came after a £900m decrease to £4.5bn in July. Mortgage approvals fell last month as uncertainty hit one of the key indicators in the property market. Mortgage approvals for house purchases decreased…

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Generation X risks becoming the first generation to be worse off than their parents in retirement

29th September 2025 Consumer Lending | #savings

Generation X, often described as the ‘forgotten generation,’ is heading towards retirement with worryingly low levels of preparedness, according to new research from PensionBee. The analysis found that savers over 50 have significantly smaller pension pots than they need, with women holding an average of £30,644 compared to £54,512 for men. This gulf highlights how…

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Number of students with debts over £100,000 jumps by a third

25th September 2025 Consumer Lending | #student loans

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by Royal London to the Student Loans Company (SLC) has revealed a huge spike in the number of borrowers burdened with student loan debt in excess of £100,000, which jumped by a third to more than 150,000 in the first six months of the year. The FOI revealed…

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98% of adults still living with parents can’t afford to leave

24th September 2025 Consumer Lending | #affordability

New research by the Skipton Group has highlighted the alarming nature and scale of the housing crisis facing millions of adults trapped living with their parents. The data shows that an overwhelming majority are stuck – 98% of them are unable to afford to buy the average first-time buyer home in their area based on their…

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One in seven have never checked their pension

24th September 2025 Consumer Lending | #pensions savings

One in seven (14%) adults have never checked their pension, despite reviewing their other financial products more frequently according to new research by Standard Life. Those who are closest to retirement are more likely to have not engaged with their pension, with 17% of over 55s admitting they’ve never checked theirs, compared to 12% of…

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Rise in car insurance drives over a millions to break the law

24th September 2025 Consumer Lending | #car insurance

Millions of drivers in the UK admit to driving without insurance due to the recent rise in premium costs according to new research by CRIF. The findings show that 5% of motorists have previously driven without motor insurance due to rising costs, despite it being a legal requirement.  This equates to around 1.4 million drivers…

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Interest rates remain at 4% – consumer credit reaction

19th September 2025 Consumer Lending | #interest rates

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to hold interest rates at 4.0%. Commenting on the MPC’s decision not to change the Bank Rate Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgage and Housing Policy at the Building Societies Association said “CPI Inflation has remained elevated at 3.8% and is expected to stay higher for…

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