iwoca and Lloyds agree Open Banking partnership

1st November 2018 Alternative Business Lending |

Business lender iwoca, has announced an Open Banking partnership which Lloyds Bank. The company becomes the first ever business lender to connect with any of the UK’s nine largest banks under the Open Banking initiative, launched in January 2018. By securely linking their Lloyds Bank data, business owners can now provide iwoca up to five…

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FEATURE: The future of lending

1st November 2018 Consumer Collections | #featured

In the past decade, technological advancements have changed our daily lives beyond recognition. There is no surprise, therefore, that the demands of today’s consumers are forcing businesses to rethink the way they service their customers. The demand for immediate, round-the-clock access to information raises expectations in nearly every industry – and the lending market has…

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Digitalisation will make most financial firms irrelevant by 2030

31st October 2018 Alternative Business Lending |

A new report by research specialist Gartner says that Digitalisation will make most heritage financial firms irrelevant by 2030. These firms will struggle for relevance as global digital platforms, fintech companies and other nontraditional players gain greater market share, using technology to change the economics and business models of the industry. Speaking at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2018 on…

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Half of consumers would use biometric payment cards

31st October 2018 Arrears and Recoveries |

More than half of UK consumers (54 percent) would be ready to use biometric payment cards if they were available at their bank today, according to new research revealed by digital security leader Gemalto and conducted by GfK.  For 82 percent of consumers, it would even become their preferred payment card – generating a clear ‘top of…

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Call for enhanced regulation despite a drop in personal insolvencies

30th October 2018 Arrears and Recoveries |

The Insolvency Service has published the latest personal insolvency statistics for Q3 (July to September 2018) for England and Wales. The statistics show that total personal insolvencies fell by11% from a six-year high in Q2 2018 and are 2% lower than in the same quarter in 2017. This was driven by a decrease in individual voluntary…

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AUTUMN BUDGET 2018: No-Interest loan scheme and breathing space plans welcomed

30th October 2018 Alternative Consumer Lending |

The Government has that it will introduce a No-Interest loan scheme and breathing space plans as part of the Autumn budget announcement. Responding to the news The Money Advice says it ‘welcomes action’ on tackling problem debt, including the new details of the government’s Breathing Space scheme, plans to pilot a no-interest loans initiative and…

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Car finance slowdown drags on consumer credit

30th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Bank of England latest figures has revealed that consumer credit increased by £0.8bn in September. This was less than in August, as new borrowing for car finance fell sharply. Consumer borrowing grew at its lowest rate for three years last month after car sales dropped 20 percent, The annual growth rate of consumer borrowing…

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Equifax and consents.online launch Open Banking ID verification partnership

29th October 2018 Company News |

Equifax has announced a partnership with consents.online which will integrate Equifax Bank Account Verifier into the Open Banking journey. The new solution means identity information such as the consumer’s name, address and date of birth, can for the first time be matched with transaction data provided through Open Banking in real time. This will help reduce fraud, allowing…

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FCA data shows 10% increase in complaints

29th October 2018 Arrears and Recoveries |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today published the complaints figures for regulated firms for the first half of 2018. Complaints continued to increase for the fourth successive half year, reaching a new record level of 4.13 million complaints made to 3,161 firms. This was a 10% increase compared with the previous 6-month period. 98%…

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Universal Credit implementation causing unacceptable hardship

29th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

The introduction of Universal Credit is causing unacceptable hardship and difficulties for many of the claimants it was designed to help according to a report by the Government’s public accounts committee. The report says that while the Department is responsive to feedback on its digital systems from staff, it has persistently dismissed evidence that Universal…

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Bean set to be acquired by BGL Group

26th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Affordability specialist Bean has announced that is set to be acquired by BGL Group (subject to regulatory approval).BGL Group is a leading digital distributor of insurance and household financial services, and owner of brands including comparethemarket.com and life insurance provider Beagle Street. Bean is owned Saverd, the company behind personal the finance app.  Bean’s digital personal finance…

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Irish Credit Union fined €155k over regulatory breach

26th October 2018 Alternative Consumer Lending |

The Central Bank of Ireland has fined E-Services & Communications Credit Union (ESSCU) €155,000 and reprimanded it for a contravention of regulatory requirements contained in Section 21 of Central Bank Reform Act 2010. The contravention was admitted by E-Services and the enforcement action has been concluded by way of settlement agreement between the parties. A…

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13m consumers do not think they are eligible for a mortgage

26th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Research from comparethemarket.com has revealed that nearly one third (30%) of consumers do not think they would be eligible to borrow any money in the form of a mortgage. Nearly 13 million people are estimated to be affected, as exclusive polling reveals that many applicants do not take the necessary steps required to boost their eligibility and…

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