Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
New research from Aegon has revealed that most people value time with loved ones over expensive gifts this Christmas, as the cost-of-living crisis reshapes festive traditions. The survey found that 57% of people say spending time with loved ones matters most, while only 9% prioritise gifts. The average total spend in the UK on Christmas…
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The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has outlined changes that will provide businesses with more information on the card payment fees they incur. This follows its market review which found Mastercard and Visa don’t face competition with fees rising and a lack of clarity on how much businesses will have to pay to accept card payments. Card payments…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will allow banks to set their own contactless payment limits from 19th March 2026. Currently, the limit stands at £100, raised from £45 five years ago. The FCA aims to enhance fraud prevention by permitting only banks with strong fraud controls to adjust these limits. People could find it easier…
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Consumer payments platform, Zilch has announced that it has secured a payments services licence from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The licensing marks a significant milestone for Zilch, removing the reliance on third-parties and enabling the business to build more payments methods in-house, develop and bring new products to market even faster and innovate quickly…
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Latest data from Barclays shows that consumer card spending declined -1.1 per cent year-on-year in November – the greatest fall recorded since February 2021 (-9.5 per cent), and considerably lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.8 per cent. Amid ongoing consumer uncertainty, essential spend dropped -2.9 per cent, marking seven consecutive months of…
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A new survey by leading specialist bank Vanquis has revealed that Gen Z shoppers are making nearly double the number of impulse purchases as the average person, fuelled by platforms like TikTok, leaving many with financial regrets. Gen Z spends multiple hours a day on social media, with many relying on it as a source…
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A new report from Lloyds Merchant Services has found that consumers are increasingly looking for payment flexibility. 61% of adopters say they are more likely to shop with a retailer offering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), rising to 63% for point-of-sale (POS) finance. Half (50%) are comfortable using BNPL for mid-ticket purchases between £100 and…
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Confidence in the UK’s ability to regulate fraud has collapsed to a historic low as the payments industry grapples with an explosion in AI-powered attacks, according to a comprehensive three-year analysis revealing the steepest decline in regulatory trust on record. according to analysis by The Payments Association. The research reveals a significant decline in confidence in…
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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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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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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced new proposals that would enable contactless card payments to exceed £100 and potentially become unlimited under new proposals to allow banks and other providers to set limits. The regulator says that it wants to give card providers the flexibility to decide the right limit for themselves and their…
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New research from Creditspring has found that over half (53%) of people report increased spending during summer, more than at any other time of year, Based on the UK population of 69.5 million, this equates to approximately 36.8 million people increasing their spending in the summer months. That figure is even higher among younger adults,…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that stricter regulations for electronic payment firms will come into force in May 2026. The new rules say companies must separate customer funds from their own, ensuring refunds in case of firm failures. The City watchdog says firms will face annual audits by qualified auditors, monthly reporting, and daily…
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