Challenging terrain: Motor finance redress and the appointed representatives consultation

Published 27 March 2026

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.

Regulatory News:
25 March 2026

Published 25 March 2026

The FCA has outlined several updates across key areas of financial services. It will confirm its approach to motor finance redress shortly after markets close on 30 March, following consultation on a compensation scheme. The FCA has also published practical examples to help firms design effective consumer segments, supporting better targeted outcomes. In addition, firms are being urged to prepare for new rules on non-financial misconduct, coming into force on 1 September, aimed at improving standards of behaviour across the sector.

AI, access and accountability: What the Mills Review means for consumer credit

Published 19 March 2026

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.

Regulatory News:
18 March 2026

Published 18 March 2026

The FCA has published its annual Regulatory Priorities for consumer finance, replacing portfolio letters. Key focuses include ensuring consumers can access fair-value credit, receive appropriate support when in debt, and benefit from effective complaints and redress. The FCA and FOS are also consulting on proposals to modernise the redress system, aiming to better support consumers while giving firms greater certainty to innovate. Additionally, the FCA has highlighted good and poor practice under the Consumer Duty, showing how firms are improving communications to help customers make informed decisions. HM Treasury has proposed reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service to reinforce its role as an impartial dispute resolution body.

Lantern Group announces the acquisition of Ascent

Published 11 March 2026

Lantern Group today announced that it has agreed to acquire Ascent, one of the UK’s largest specialist debt recovery law firms, from Irwin Mitchell, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition expands Lantern Gorup’s portfolio, with Ascent joining Lantern and Sonex. Irwin Mitchell’s strategy is to focus on growing its core legal services for individuals and businesses such as complex personal injury, medical negligence, private client, family, real estate, corporate and employment law.

The Credit Information Governance Body (CIGB): Why it matters for lenders

Published 11 March 2026

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. That may seem like a narrow objective, but credit information underpins almost every lending decision made in the UK. For lenders, the question is not simply how the new body will operate – but whether it will deliver a system that works for a diverse credit market.

Regulatory News:
11 March 2026

Published 11 March 2026

The FCA has reiterated its commitment to supporting innovation and economic growth while maintaining strong consumer protection. In a speech at the MoneyLIVE Summit 2026, David Geale emphasised that the FCA is working to simplify rules and step back where appropriate, while ensuring safeguards remain in place. The FCA has also launched a quarterly consultation on miscellaneous amendments to its Handbook. In addition, new senior leadership appointments have been announced.

Jason Wassell announced as MALG Ambassador

Published 09 March 2026

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 a real difference across the debt advice and creditor communities.

Regulatory News:
4 March 2026

Published 04 March 2026

This week, in addition to several other announcements, the FCA published an update on the potential industry-wide motor finance redress scheme which is now likely to include an implementation period and changes to the proposed customer communications. The Payments Vision Delivery Committee has published the Payments Forward Plan. The Money Charity and Bank of England have also published their monthly statistics.

Consumer Duty and the Communication Challenge

Published 26 February 2026

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 clear during the session is that, while there is broad agreement on the importance of communication, there is still considerable debate about how to deliver it.

Regulatory News:
25 February 2026

Published 25 February 2026

This week, all of our news pieces come from the FCA. The regulator has provided information on the Consumer Duty cross-cutting rules and the outcomes they expect firms to deliver. In addition to this, the FCA also updated their page on Consumer Duty board reports, highlighting examples of good practice and areas for improvement.

CCTA Catalyst Conference: From Artificial Intelligence to Regulatory Reality

Published 19 February 2026

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 the practical realities of technological change within a highly scrutinised regulatory framework.