Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
New research from Zuto Car Finance has revealed that even in a cost-of-living crisis, almost a third of consumers (31%) still haven’t looked for financial advice. Just 23% of those surveyed rely on the expertise of a financial advisor and 22% contact their bank first to discuss any financial matters. 12% would immediately seek help…
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New research by Yapily has indicated that cost of living rise has driven a move for consumers to use buy now, pay later (BNPL) schemes rather than dipping into overdrafts The research found more than a quarter of consumers turned to buy now, pay later services in the past year compared with 18% who had used…
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Latest Bank of England data shows that the annual growth rate for consumer credit, which includes borrowing using credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts and car finance, increased by 7.2% in September from 7.1% in August, the highest rate since March 2019. The annual growth rate of credit card borrowing was 12.1 percent with outstanding balances…
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Mortgage lending is expected to rise 4% this year, following strong demand in the first half of the year, but slow sharply in 2023 with just 0.7% growth due to rising mortgage rates and falling real household incomes, according to the latest EY ITEM Club Outlook for Financial Services. This would be the lowest rate of mortgage…
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UK Finance is warning people to be alert to potential fraud, as more than half of the public (56 per cent) said they are likely to look for opportunities to make extra money in the coming months due to the rise in the cost of living. This could leave some people more susceptible to fraud.…
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Homeowners took out 13,452 new equity release plans in the third quarter with total lending hitting a record £1.7 billion, according to the Equity Release Council’s latest statistics. A record number of homeowners aged over 55 have turned to equity release to support their cash-strapped families through the cost of living crisis. According to the…
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New research by TotallyMoney has investigated the gap in personal loan interest rates for those with poor credit scores. The research found that someone with a poor credit record borrowing £5,000 over 3 years might find themselves paying an extra £116.36 per month compared with a low-rate best buy deal. Similarly, a borrower with a…
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A new study from Forbes Advisor has revealed that nearly three-quarters (74%) of British credit card holders are being forced to change their credit card usage amid crippling inflation. Within the survey, respondents were asked specifically how the cost of living crisis affected their credit card activity. In total, more than half (57%) claimed that…
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UK Finance has shared its latest credit and debit card data which has highlighted an increase in credit card usage in July when compared to 2021. The data showed that there were 343.8 million credit card transactions in July, 9.8 per cent more than in July 2021. The total spend of £18.8 billion was 17.1…
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A report launched by the Lending Standards Board (LSB) drives forward financial inclusion for disabled customers and those with other access needs who are trying to succeed in business. The LSB, the regulator of the only protections for business customers – The Standards of Lending Practice – conducted qualitative research and interviews with disability…
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Over five million families are set to see their annual mortgage payments rise by an average of £5,100 between now and the end of 2024 – with £1,200 of that reflecting higher expectations of interest rate rises since the ‘mini-budget’ according to new analysis published by the Resolution Foundation. With the UK’s low-interest rate era…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Gatehouse Bank £1,584,100 for significant weakness in its financial crime systems and controls. Between June 2014 and July 2017 Gatehouse failed to conduct sufficient checks on its customers based in countries with a higher risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. Gatehouse also failed to undertake the correct…
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Credit card use by consumers to withdraw cash has increased steadily in the past three months according to latest analysis by FICO. The figures showed that card usage increased by 6.7% and 3.4% in July. Average total sales were £790 in June and July and £810 in August a more than 14 percent increase year…
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