CCTA View

The FOS has released its annual complaints data today. From a quick glance, what jumps out is the high upload rates for complaints about home credit and guarantor loans. Uphold rates for both of these are currently over 80%, compared with the average uphold rate of 31% across all products. However, there is more to this when the detail is …

It has been a busy time period for alternative lending sector. In recent years it has faced many challenges including a constantly changing approach from the Financial Ombudsman Service and the impact of the ‘claims culture’ driven by Claims Management Companies. Many firms have already left the market. Since 2016 the number of firms offering HCSTC has more than halved. …

Commenting on the decision by Provident Financial to close down their home-collected credit and Satsuma brands, Jason Wassell, Chief Executive of the CCTA said: “This news is shocking and yet not a surprise to those watching alternative lending. We have long been concerned that the current regulatory framework does not work for the market, or its customers. The result in …

We are now more than a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, and I think it is safe to say that none of us predicted the impact it would still be having on our lives. With lockdown easing in the UK, on the back of the vaccine rollout, we are all starting to think about making plans about how we move …

“We are particularly concerned about the changes surrounding the case fee announced in today’s publication. We do not believe any justification has been provided for a further rise in the case fee, following the increase introduced just last year. This has now increased by a third over the last two years. “Not only are the FOS bringing in an increase …

We held our first summit of 2021 this week for our members. It was great to have such good attendance from across all the different areas of the association’s membership. Though, we would prefer to be able to bring members together in a face-to-face environment, we must continue to meet virtually for at least the next few months. We want …

“It is no secret that we have long been concerned about the management of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Our most recent concerns have been about the organisation’s finances- both the funding model and runaway spending. “Just as important is that we tackle Claims Management Companies’ (CMCs) activities. Regulators have identified cases of fraudulent activity, the misrepresentation of individuals and …

At around lunchtime today Rishi Sunak will deliver his budget for the coming year. Arguably the biggest day of year for any Chancellor, this is a budget like never before as we will learn the true impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. There is a lot of speculation about tax rises, possible changes to Universal Credit and further …

In the last week, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its final guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers. The treatment of vulnerable customers has been a key priority for the FCA, and it is an issue that has grown in prominence within financial services in recent years. The regulator views vulnerability as a spectrum of risk, with the …

A Missed opportunity “While we welcome some positives within the Review findings, such as recommendations to reform credit reporting and addressing the problems within the debt management market, this a missed opportunity to explore many of the issues facing the unsecured credit market.” “We had concerns from the outset about limited industry representation, and the review is weakest when it …

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has been consulting on its plans and budget for the coming year. As the consultation closes, we wanted to share our thoughts. We feel the proposals will place increasing pressure on lenders and create an environment in which borrowers do not receive the best outcomes. It is no secret that many firms in the non-bank …

Salary finance, or advance, schemes seem to have grown rapidly in recent times. These schemes allow employees to access their salary early on the grounds that this will enable them to better manage their finances. Major employers, along with many well-known hospitality brands, have signed up to a range of salary finance schemes and early access to pay continues to …