SMEs expecting business performance to worsen

7th October 2019 Commercial Credit Management |

Small firms are calling on the Government to secure a Brexit deal and come forward with radical policy interventions to arrest a dogged lack of confidence among business owners as new FSB research shows rising costs and uncertainty increasingly taking their toll.Its SBI confidence measure stands at -8.1 in Q3 2019, down more than six…

Read more

Three million consumers put off buying a new home because of Brexit

1st October 2019 Consumer Collections |

With 30 days until the October 31 Brexit deadline, the number of Brits saying they have put off a big financial decision has risen to one in five (19 per cent) – equal to ten million people. The major outgoings currently on ice for one in five people include booking a holiday (38 per cent…

Read more

Irish regulator bans Director of financial service firm for two years

30th September 2019 Consumer Collections |

Ireland’ regulator the Central Bank has published a Prohibition Notice prohibiting Home Credit Ireland Executive Director Michael Kearns from performing any controlled function in all regulated financial service providers for a period of two years. Home Credit Ireland is authorised as a Moneylender under the Consumer Credit Act 1995 (as amended). Kearns failed to properly…

Read more

Sweden predicted to be first truly cashless society by 2023

30th September 2019 Consumer Collections |

A new report by global management consultancy A.T. Kearney has found that the first truly cashless society will be reached in five years, with Sweden predicted to be the first country running solely on digital and card payments. Cashless transactions have increased substantially following the introduction of contactless payments and mobile payment options like Apple Pay and…

Read more

Two-fifths of SMEs say no-deal Brexit will damage business

30th September 2019 Commercial Credit Management |

Small businesses are in urgent need of more government support to overcome a worrying lack of preparedness for a no-deal Brexit on 31st October, according to new research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). In the first UK-wide small business assessment of no-deal preparedness ahead of 31 October, FSB’s research shows that among those…

Read more

FCA updates Temporary Transitional Power directions

27th September 2019 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has updated and published draft directions under its Temporary Transitional Power (TTP). The TTP gives the FCA flexibility in applying post-Brexit requirements, allowing firms to transition to a new UK regulatory framework. The directions would only come into effect on exit day if the UK leaves the EU without an…

Read more

State Bank of India launches UK app

25th September 2019 Consumer Collections |

State Bank of India (SBI) has launched its digital banking app YONO for customers of SBI (UK). Originally launched in 2017 by SBI in India, YONO has become very popular, especially among the youth, as it combines mobile banking and lifestyle. SBI has now decided to take YONO globally, starting from the United Kingdom. YONO…

Read more

Finance industry pledges support for responsible banking principles

20th September 2019 Consumer Collections |

UK Finance has announced its support for the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative’s ‘Principles for Responsible Banking.’ The Principles align banks with society’s goals as expressed in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. They set a global benchmark on responsible banking and provide actionable guidance on how to achieve this.…

Read more

CCI Credit Management wins sixth award in a year

20th September 2019 Commercial Credit Management |

CCI Credit Management (CCICM) has won the UK Credit Services Association (CSA) Collector Accreditation Initiative (CAI) Award making its the sixth award this year. The latest win was announced at the CSA gala dinner ceremony in Newcastle. The CSA, which represents over 90% of British credit management companies, recognised that all of CCICM’s registered debt…

Read more

Eastern European businesses credit outlook clouded by insolvency

19th September 2019 Commercial Credit Management |

Businesses in Eastern Europe are conducting significantly more sales on credit to boost their competitiveness in overseas markets, according to a new report by trade credit insurer Atradius. The Atradius Payment Practices Barometer reveals Eastern European businesses transacted an average of 67% of the total value of their sales to domestic and overseas B2B customers…

Read more

Ireland sees growth in SME borrowing

18th September 2019 Commercial Credit Management |

Irish SMEs drew down €1.4 billion in loans from Irish banks over Q2 2019, an increase of €147 million on the same period of 2018. SMEs in the property sector accounted for the largest share of new drawdowns at 36 per cent, followed by SMEs in the wholesale/retail trade and agricultural sectors; accounting for 12…

Read more

Report highlights global digital transformation progress

18th September 2019 Technology and Open Banking |

Euler Hermes has published its third edition of its Enabling Digitalization Index (EDI), which analyses a country’s ability to provide an environment where companies can digitally transform successfully. The score is based on 5 components: regulation, knowledge, connectivity, infrastructure and size. The United States (U.S.) topped the list with a score of 87 out of…

Read more

Permanent TSB sells off mortgages

17th September 2019 Consumer Collections |

Irish bank Permanent TSB has announced that it is selling 1,932 home loans that have fallen into arrears to Start Mortgages. Star Mortgages are part of US vulture fund Lone Star. The deal is thought to be worth €264 million, slightly more than half the €506 million that the borrowers owe. Permanent TSB Chief Executive,…

Read more