SMEs spend £426m on international payment costs

12th October 2018 Credit Cards |

More than half (53%) of the medium-sized and large businesses in the UK use a bank for international payments potentially costing them more than £426 million a year in currency costs, according to foreign-exchange and treasury management specialist Centtrip. Centtrip’s survey of 500 medium-sized and large companies has revealed that on average each spent £978,000…

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The FCA consults on approach to Brexit

11th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published two consultation papers, setting out its proposals in the event the UK leaves the European Union on 29 March 2019 without an implementation period.  It also set out its approach to the regulation of Credit Ratings Agencies, Trade Repositories and Data Reporting Services Providers. The two consultation papers…

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Central Bank of Ireland fines Citibank €1.33m over Lending breaches

8th October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Citibank Europe has been fined €1,330,000 and reprimanded by the Central Bank of Ireland in respect of six breaches of its Code of Practice on Lending to Related Parties. The Code requires credit institutions, including banks and building societies, to have the proper systems, controls, independent oversight and regulatory reporting processes in place to support…

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Central & Eastern European insolvencies increase

2nd October 2018 Commercial Credit Management |

A new report on the Central and Eastern European region (CEE) by Coface has revealed that the region has seen an increase in insolvencies. The report says that the region has been enjoying the improved economic activity in recent years. This was particularly noticeable in 2017, when the region’s average GDP growth soared to 4.5%…

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Irish accountancy firms announce merger

2nd October 2018 Consumer Collections |

Irish accountancy firm Smith & Williamson has announced its merger with  Dublin-based firm LHM Casey McGrath, creating a total workforce of 135 people based in its two Republic of Ireland offices. The merger positions Smith & Williamson in the top tier of accountancy and financial services businesses in Ireland. It also achieves a key strategic…

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Small businesses call on European Commission to help end late payments culture

26th September 2018 Commercial Credit Management |

The vast majority (85%) of small firms that operate within European supply chains report being paid late, according to research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSB’s report, ‘Pay it Forward: Lessons and recommendations for Europe from the UK payment landscape’, reveals that despite positive steps, like the introduction of the Late Payment…

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Atradius reveals Eastern European businesses credit decline

25th September 2018 Commercial Credit Management |

Less businesses in Eastern Europe are offering credit to customers, a report by trade credit insurer Atradius has found. The 2018 edition of the Atradius Payment Practices Barometer for Eastern Europe, reports that the proportion of B2B credit sales in Eastern Europe has decreased from an average of 40.3% in 2017 to 36.9% this year. Businesses in…

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Brexit negotiations taking its toll upon the UK automotive sector

18th September 2018 Motor Finance |

The impact of prolonged Brexit negotiations is taking its toll upon the UK automotive sector, warns trade credit insurer Atradius. A new economic report by Atradius highlights that economic uncertainty has led to a 6% drop in new car registrations in the first half the year and a significant decline in investment; from £1.7bn in 2016…

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Impact of no deal Brexit is deeply concerning

17th September 2018 Commercial Credit Management |

The potential impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on cross-border insolvency cases, as set out by the Government in a just-published technical note, is deeply concerning, says insolvency and restructuring trade body R3. Stuart Frith, R3 president, said “We would be deeply concerned about the impact of a ‘no deal’ on the UK’s insolvency and restructuring…

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Irish household debt has fallen by 79% since its 2011 peak

11th September 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Central Bank of Ireland has published its latest quarterly bulletin showing that household debt as a proportion of disposable income has fallen by 79.2 percentage points since its peak in Q3 2011. The latest statistics also show: Irish household debt as a proportion of disposable income fell by 9.7 percentage points over the year…

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Irish mortgage arrears continue to fall

10th September 2018 Consumer Collections |

Latest Irish residential mortgage arrears & repossessions have shown that mortgage arrears have continued to fall according to latest statistics released by the Central Bank of Ireland in Q2 2018.  The number of accounts in arrears over 720 days continued to fall, and Q2 2018 marked the twelfth consecutive decline.  Accounts in arrears over 720…

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Irish loans for house purchase increase by €63 million

3rd September 2018 Consumer Collections |

The Central Bank of Ireland’s latest money and banking latest statistics from July 2018 indicate that loans to households for house purchase increased by €63 million on a net basis in July. The annual growth rate continues to trend upwards, rising to 0.8 per cent in July, representing the ninth consecutive month of positive growth.…

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Intrum reorganises regional structure

30th August 2018 Consumer Collections |

Debt Purchaser, Intrum has announced that it is reorganising its regional structure combining Spain, Portugal and its newly acquired unit in Brazil, communicated in the Interim Report 24thof July, into a new region to be called – Iberian Peninsula and Latin America. The new Intrum region takes shape based on the strong cultural, historically and…

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