Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
The UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the final quarter of 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), matching the rate recorded in Quarter 3 (Q3). Analysis of the data shows that Q4 marked the first time in over two years that the services sector showed no growth. Manufacturing provided a slight…
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Skipton Business Finance (SBF) has appointed Kim Hughes as its new head of Asset-Based Lending (ABL). Hughes brings over 14 years’ experience across Invoice Finance and Asset-Based Lending, with a proven track record in structuring sophisticated funding solutions, portfolio oversight and delivering complex commercial facilities. She began her banking career at Yorkshire Bank before moving…
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New global payment data analysis from Sidetrade is showing that late payments now account for 37% of the payment cycle. The data shows that businesses took an average of 51 days to get paid in 2025, composed of 32 days of contractual payment terms and 19 days of payment delay.The data indicates that short commercial…
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New research by Allica Bank shows that the market remains active and resilient, with brokers continuing to see meaningful demand across key sectors and reporting strong improvements in lending speed and efficiency. Despite a more challenging economic backdrop, 29% of brokers saw an increase in asset finance applications in the second half of the year…
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The UK housing market has continued to outperform the wider economy, underpinned by a mortgage market that has absorbed higher interest rates more effectively than many expected, according to analysis from the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA). IMLA’s latest report projects that mortgage arrears will continue falling through 2026 and 2027, even as the final…
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New research has revealed that 88% of the UK is struggling to cope with high living costs, equal to an estimated 48 million people nationwide. The survey found that over two in five (45%) indicated that the country’s high living costs are impacting them even more than last year, showing that things have been getting…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined new measures for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lending, which will aim to simplify information for borrowers whilst ensuring income checks and support for those in financial difficulty. Lenders must now be authorised and comply with the FCA’s Consumer Duty, ensuring clearer information on agreements and affordability checks.…
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Retail sales rose by 2.7% in January, according to the British Retail Consortium and KPMG, as consumers responded to heavy post-Christmas discounting. Personal electronics and children’s items led the recovery after a weak December. Despite the uplift, the Office for National Statistics reports sales remain 1.5% below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting an uneven recovery. Food sales increased…
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Lantern Group has announced the opening of its new flagship head office at Apsley House on Wellington Street in Leeds city centre, which the company says represents a major milestone in the company’s continued growth and strong performance. The office will serve as the company’s headquarters and central hub for its expanding team, reinforcing Lantern’s…
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Hoist Finance has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire UK debt purchaser Azzurro Associates, a specialist in SME Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), with a portfolio book value of £200 million. Under the agreement, Hoist Finance is to acquire the UK operations and assets of Azzurro, including its FCA-regulated entity, from the current…
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Consumer confidence has now been negative for ten consecutive years, with the GfK index falling sharply again in January. Analysts describe a mood of resignation rather than panic, as inflation continues to outpace wage growth and households remain cautious. The prolonged pessimism is dampening entrepreneurial risk-taking and discretionary spending. The Consumer Confidence Index was up…
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New research by Pepper Advantage has found that mortgage arrears fell 1.1% in Quarter 4 (Q4) 2025 , marking the third consecutive quarterly decline and the lowest arrears rate since Q4 2023. Residential and Buy-to-Let Performance: The residential arrears rate declined by 0.9% in Q4, continuing a gradual improvement. Buy-to-let arrears fell by 10.4%, reflecting…
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New research by Hargreaves Lansdown has found that couples who plan together have an average of £328 left at the end of the month , £28 more than those where the one person plans alone and £101 more than those who leave it to their partner. The analysis shows that couples planning together have £3,145…
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