KBC bank sells loans for the first time

12th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Irish bank KBC has sold loans to credit-servicing and debt-collection firm Cabot Financial Ireland. The sale of the KBC portfolio is understood to involve more than 100 loans – most of which related to buy-to-let properties that have been sold – with money is still owned on the original mortgages. The sale comes weeks before…

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DFC Global’s US CEO leaves role

12th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Bob Stefanowski is to be replaced as Dollar Financial Corporation Global (DFC) Chief Executive Officer. Bondholders in Dollar Financial Corporation Global (DFC) were informed late last week that Bob Stefanowski was stepping down as its chief executive, to be replaced by Glen Wakeman, a former GE Money executive in Latin America. The change at the…

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FLA to create motor finance apprenticeship

11th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), working alongside employers in a Trailblazer group, has won Government approval to develop a Motor Finance Specialist apprenticeship standard for the motor finance industry. We will now begin working with members, brokers and dealers to devise a training standard which will highlight the skills and knowledge that employers in…

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SFHA concerned about messaging from DWP

10th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has raised concerns about the inconsistent messaging from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) following their claim the LHA cap – dubbed the Bedroom Tax 2 – will not apply to existing tenants. The DWP statement in a Scottish Herald article on 3rd January claimed the ‘cap’ on social…

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Aldermore appoints Head of Enterprise Risk

10th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Aldermore has announced the appointment of Petrina Oliver as the Head of Enterprise Risk. Oliver, has over 20 years of banking experience, including 13 years in financial services risk management. She joins Aldermore from Royal Bank of Scotland where she has worked since 2010, most recently as Head of Prudential Regulation & Frameworks, Risk Analytics…

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Cashfloat extends contract with Callcredit

10th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Callcredit Information Group today announces it has extended its partnership contract to provide credit risk, affordability and fraud prevention solutions to specialist lender Cashfloat.  As part of the extended partnership Cashfloat will be trialling a number of additional fraud solutions focused on digital channels such as email, phone and device identification. Callcredit has worked with Cashfloat,…

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Most consumers don’t understand their credit card

10th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Millions of credit card holders face a New Year financial hangover because they aren’t clued up about their credit card, new insight from MoneySuperMarket, The research found two thirds (64 per cent) of credit card holders don’t keep a close eye on how much they spend on credit and only check their statement at least once…

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Scottish Government Grants of £1.65m to help homeless and vulnerable people

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

Organisations that work with homeless people and give housing support to vulnerable are to benefit from £1.65 million of Scottish Government grant funding. The Housing Sector Voluntary Grant Scheme helps third sector organisations to deliver housing-related projects and services. The 2017/18 allocation will benefit 17 different organisations whose work includes helping older and disabled people…

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Six months to EU Money Laundering Directive – are companies ready?

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

As the six month countdown to implement the fourth EU Money Laundering Directive (MLD4) begins, companies need to ensure they are ready for the new requirements, or they risk hefty penalties.  John Marsden, Head of ID and Fraud at Equifax said “At least a hundred billion pounds, equivalent to the GDP of Ukraine, is reportedly being…

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Loan market needs to be clearer and fairer to all

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

The loan market in the UK is not fit for purpose according to research by Saga Money.  The practice of offering teaser rates to tempt people into applying for a loan, only to be hit with a much higher rate on application, is rife in the market and is unfair to consumers.  The average of…

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Unsecured debt hits new peak of nearly £13,000 per household

9th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

New analysis published by the TUC shows that household debt rose sharply over 2016, with unsecured debt (debt other than mortgages) reaching new highs. The TUC says weak wage growth has left more families reliant on borrowing to support their living standards. The analysis finds that: Unsecured debt per household rose to £12,887 in the…

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Car sales slow down in December

6th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) said new car sales fell 1.1% in December against the same month a year ago. However, the UK new car market achieved another record year in 2016, with annual registrations climbing for the fifth year in a row to almost 2.7 million, according to figures published today by SMMT. The market…

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Equifax and Castlight launch real-time affordability platform

6th January 2017 Consumer Collections |

 Equifax has formed a new strategic partnership with Castlight to launch a real-time affordability platform to support brokers and their clients with mortgage applications. The system will reduce the time it takes to make a mortgage application to as little as ten minutes.  The new technology will, for the first time, give consumers the option…

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