Later life lending increases by 15.1%

UK Finance has released its latest data on the later life mortgage showing that lending increased by 15.1% in Quarter 4 (Q4). The data showed that 41,400 new loans advanced to borrowers over 55 in Q4 2025. £810 million pounds of lending was to leant borrowers aged 65 to 70, up a huge 26.56%. A…

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FCA proposes action to close gaps in borrowers’ credit files

26th February 2026 Consumer Lending | #credit files

Lenders could have access to more comprehensive information to support lending decisions, under new proposals by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is consulting on designating certain credit reference agencies (CRAs). If a lender shares credit information with one designated consumer CRA, it would be required to share it with them all. The changes…

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Falling mortgage rates trigger home listings decade high

February is on track to record the highest number of new home listings in a decade, according to Zoopla’s latest House Price Index.   Combined with falling mortgage rates, the market is currently looking particularly good for first time buyers, with 40% of homes for sale now cheaper to buy with a mortgage than rent.   Reflecting…

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Consumer credit growth forecasted to remain flat in 2026

23rd February 2026 Consumer Lending | #consumer credit

The latest EY ITEM Club data has forecasted that consumer credit lending growth will remain largely flat at 5.8% in 2026 (from 6.1% in 2025), 5.7% in 2027, and 5.3% in 2028. Even though consumer credit remains expensive, demand is expected to remain steady over the coming years. This is largely due to a combination…

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Influencers fined for issuing unauthorised financial promotions

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reported a 174% rise in actions against influencers last year, including the first arrests for promoting high-risk investments. The FCA says that financial advice on social media has become increasingly risky, with ‘finfluencers’ promoting dubious financial products, with seven reality TV stars pleading guilty to illegal promotions, receiving fines between…

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Bank of Ireland fined £3.7m after missing Confirmation of Payee safeguard deadline

20th February 2026 Consumer Lending | #bank of ireland#PSR

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has fined Bank of Ireland UK for failing to implement Confirmation of Payee (CoP) by the required deadline. The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has fined Bank of Ireland UK £3.7m for failing to implement a crucial fraud protection service on time. The bank missed the deadline by 14 months, leaving…

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Evlo and CreditLadder agree rent credit reporting partnership

19th February 2026 Company News |

Evlo has announced a new partnership with rent-reporting platform, CreditLadder. The partnership is the next milestone in Evlo’s industry-focused’ Financial Freedom for Everyone’ campaign, which is calling for reforms that make the credit system fairer and more inclusive for renters. Through this collaboration, Evlo will be able to connect its renter customers, especially those with…

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72% of consumers abandon baskets at check out after being declined for credit

18th February 2026 Consumer Lending | #consumer credit

72% of consumers abandon their baskets after being declined for credit at checkout, despite over half saying they would look for an alternative finance option. The results, from independent research commissioned by Payl8r, with the figures suggesting that single-lender checkout structures may be contributing to avoidable conversion loss. Payl8r says that the research reveals ‘false…

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Gen Z driving momentum in digital currency payments

17th February 2026 Consumer Lending | #payments

New research from FIS suggests that digital currencies, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, are firmly on the radar of younger consumers, but with limited understanding and concerns around transparency, continue to hold back wider adoption across the UK. While the FCA recently confirmed that stablecoin payments are a 2026 priority, the data shows a clear…

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Chip and PIN hits 20 year milestone

17th February 2026 Consumer Lending | #payments

Today (Tuesday 17th February) marks twenty years since Chip & PIN fully replaced signatures for in-store card purchases. Since then, the way we pay  and the way criminals attempt to commit fraud, has significantly changed. Alongside more than 25 million additional cards now in circulation compared with two decades ago, two major shifts have transformed…

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First-time buyers pessimistic about securing a property

16th February 2026 Consumer Lending | #home buying

New research from the Building Societies Association (BSA) shows that many aspiring first-time buyers could be closer to owning their own home than they think, but too many are ruling themselves out before exploring what is possible. The findings show that almost half (47%) of people who want to buy their own home have never…

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FCA outlines new BNPL measures

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined new measures for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lending, which will aim to simplify information for borrowers whilst ensuring income checks and support for those in financial difficulty. Lenders must now be authorised and comply with the FCA’s Consumer Duty, ensuring clearer information on agreements and affordability checks.…

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Consumer confidence hits decade-long low

Consumer confidence has now been negative for ten consecutive years, with the GfK index falling sharply again in January. Analysts describe a mood of resignation rather than panic, as inflation continues to outpace wage growth and households remain cautious. The prolonged pessimism is dampening entrepreneurial risk-taking and discretionary spending. The Consumer Confidence Index was up…

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