CCTA View

Good consumer lending reform must do two things: prevent harmful lending and preserve access to responsible credit. Yes, regulation must protect consumers from unsuitable and unaffordable lending. But it must also recognise that refusing credit is not risk-free. Protecting consumers also means considering the harm caused when suitable regulated options disappear. One key factor is regulatory uncertainty. That is the …

The FCA’s decision to launch a market study into claims management services is an important and welcome development. Claims management services can play a legitimate role in helping consumers access redress, particularly where processes are complex or people lack confidence engaging directly with firms. The issue is not whether consumers should be supported when seeking redress. They should. A fair …

Smaller lending firms are expected to meet high regulatory standards, often with far fewer people, systems and specialist teams than larger firms. Roles overlap. Time is limited. Judgement matters. That is why learning cannot be treated as a box-ticking exercise. It has to help people make sound decisions in real situations, with the information available at the time. During CCTA Learning …

The publication of the FCA’s latest perimeter report is an important reminder that regulation is not only about the rules inside the system, but also about the growing areas outside it. The report examines the boundary between activities regulated by the FCA and those that sit outside its remit. It highlights areas where consumer harm may emerge, where legislative gaps …

The UK’s political landscape is becoming more fragmented and dynamic. While British politics has historically been dominated by two major parties, recent elections and shifting voter preferences suggest a broader change in the political environment. Alternative political movements are gaining traction, and policy debates are increasingly shaped by issues such as economic fairness, financial resilience and household debt. At the …

The UK credit system relies heavily on the effective sharing of information. Every lending decision – whether for a credit card, motor finance agreement or small-sum instalment loan – depends on data flowing through a network of credit reference agencies, lenders and technology providers. That system has evolved over decades and, in many ways, it works well. But the governance …

As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2026, the regulatory landscape remains characteristically demanding. Members are navigating a range of initiatives relevant to their sectors, but I would like to highlight two particularly significant matters that the CCTA is actively addressing.

Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from experimentation to infrastructure in retail financial services. The FCA’s Mills Review provides a timely opportunity to consider what that shift means in practice – for consumers, firms, and the future shape of the credit market.

The Credit Information Governance Body (CIGB) is one of the most significant structural changes to the UK’s credit information system in many years. While it may sound technical, its impact could be far-reaching for lenders, regulators and consumers. At its core, the CIGB is intended to provide a new governance framework for how credit information is shared across the industry. …

Few organisations play as important a role in bringing together creditors, debt advisers, regulators and others across the sector as the Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG). That is why I am particularly pleased to have been appointed as a MALG Ambassador. Its purpose – to ‘work together to improve the lives of people with problem debt’ – continues to make …

Communication sits at the heart of Consumer Duty, but turning that principle into demonstrable outcomes is proving complex. It can be even more challenging for smaller firms, which may not have the same access to resources as the big banks. Recently we were asked to take part in a conference focusing on the implementation of the Consumer Duty. What became …

On 28 April, the Consumer Credit Trade Association will host the CCTA Catalyst Conference in London – a focused, forward-looking event examining how artificial intelligence, data governance and regulatory reform are reshaping consumer credit in real time. This is not a generic “future of fintech” debate. Catalyst is designed specifically for consumer credit lenders and compliance leaders who are navigating …