An ongoing commitment to ESG
Equifax publishes 2024 ESG Report

Published 17 April 2025

Equifax launched its second annual Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) report in February, highlighting the continued importance as part of its business strategy.

AI versus human expertise
Why authentic content wins in consumer credit

Published 17 April 2025

The digital space is where consumer credit providers win or lose. In the race to optimise websites, many turn to AI-powered content tools. These promise quick SEO gains and effortless content creation, but relying solely on AI can be a costly mistake. Here’s why human expertise remains crucial for building trust and engagement.

A growing threat
Fraud: A danger to the credit industry, customers and communities

Published 17 April 2025

Fraud is more widespread than ever, causing significant harm to businesses, individuals, and communities. It erodes trust in the digital economy, hampers economic growth, and destabilises vulnerable economies worldwide. As criminals adapt and evolve, the impact extends far beyond financial losses, threatening the integrity of financial systems and consumer confidence.

Cultivating relationships
Introducing your new membership manager

CCTA

Published 17 April 2025

I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Membership Manager at the Consumer Credit Trade Association (CCTA). It’s an exciting time to join the organisation, and I’m eager to connect with all of you – our valued members – to ensure that you receive the best possible support, insights, and services that CCTA has to offer.

The rise of alternative data in consumer lending
Enabling financial inclusion and catalysing growth

Published 17 April 2025

The landscape of consumer lending is undergoing a significant transformation. Traditionally, lenders have relied on credit scores and historical financial data to assess a borrower’s creditworthiness. However, as financial behaviours evolve and the limitations of conventional credit assessments become apparent, the role of alternative data in lending decisions is gaining prominence.

Supporting vulnerable customers
FCA review highlights

Published 17 April 2025

I wanted to use this edition of our magazine to talk about the FCA’s recent vulnerability review and publications. On 7 March, the FCA published their findings into a review of firms’ treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances, including their consumer research and examples of good and poor practices.

A long road ahead
Actions motor finance firms can take following the Supreme Court ruling

Published 17 April 2025

The FCA’s review into discretionary commission arrangements, together with the outcome of the Supreme Court’s review of a landmark Court of Appeal ruling regarding motor finance commissions could have widespread consequences for the motor finance sector.

Consumer Duty board reports
Top tips

Published 17 April 2025

Last summer we helped several clients with their Consumer Duty board reports (required under PRIN 2A.8). Since the creation of the first suite of reports, the FCA has reviewed a sample and published findings, highlighting good practices and areas for improvement. We have set out six top tips based on the FCA’s output and our own observations.   1.

Ensuring our voices are heard
Jason Wassell discusses credit information reform

Published 17 April 2025

Over the past year, I’ve represented the Consumer Credit Trade Association on the Industry Working Group (IWG) tasked with developing proposals for a new Credit Reporting Governance Body (CRGB).

Trapped in a cycle of misery
The stark reality of loan shark debt

Published 17 April 2025

Loan shark debt can devastate individuals and families, affecting vulnerable members of society and leading to life-altering consequences. Behind the scenes, the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) continues to fight this criminality, ensuring illegal lenders face justice and providing essential support to victims. Research from the IMLT highlights the alarming statistics surrounding loan shark debt.

Vishing and phising
Online, telephone and banking fraud

Published 08 April 2025

Recent figures show that the amount of money illegally defrauded by criminals via online banking fraud and telephone scams continues to rise. According to UK Finance, the number of cases of online banking fraud rose by 12% to 232,429 in 2023, with losses totalling £459.7million.

An unexpected turn
Court of Appeal decision on motor finance commissions

Published 08 April 2025

As we come to the end of 2025, it has certainly been a busy period in terms of activity on the regulatory horizon. Most recently, this has centred on the motor finance market. I wanted to take this opportunity to tell members about what’s happening in this sector, in particular around the subject of commissions.