A look ahead at 2024

Published 09 January 2024

2023 was a busy year for the consumer credit sector and the CCTA. It saw the introduction of the FCA’s Consumer Duty, new research into the impact of illegal lending and further engagement with our key stakeholders- the FCA, the FOS and HM Treasury on a range of issues. Here we explore some of the developments we expect in 2024.

Borrowing and spending at Christmas

Published 15 December 2023

At this time of year, there are always stories about how people plan to pay for Christmas. Costs can quickly add up between presents, family expectations, extra travel, and hosting. Combined with the cost-of-living crisis currently facing many, it can be an expensive time of year. This year, different organisations have researched to explore our Christmas spending.

Changes at the FOS

Published 08 December 2023

Earlier this week, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) published its Plans and Budget consultation for 2024/25. While these are first steps, we believe that they are heading in the right direction.

Level playing field in consumer credit?

Published 03 December 2023

BNPL and Big Tech shake things up Unsurprisingly, consumer credit regulation plays an essential part in the lending market. A level playing field in consumer credit is a crucial principle. Firms of different sizes and formats and providing various products need access to the market.

FCA regulatory update
Key themes from Martha Stokes’ speech to the 2023 CCTA Conference

Published 27 November 2023

Access to affordable credit allows people to manage their money and helps them cope in tough times. It requires a well-functioning market where customers are treated fairly, supported if they get into financial difficulty and are equipped with the information they need to make good decisions. Ensuring the regulatory framework supports these objectives is key for the FCA.

CCTA Academy
Online learning & development platform launched

Published 27 November 2023

Some of you will recall that, almost a year ago, we carried out a member survey to see how we could further improve our services as your trade association. Over 80% of respondents wanted the CCTA to enhance our learning and development offering. That has led to the launch of the CCTA Academy.

Changing tides?
Cost of living and borrowers in financial difficulty

Published 27 November 2023

Undoubtedly, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking the cost of living very seriously. To a certain extent, this is a continuation of a project that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been some good news around the fall in inflation and wage growth, a group of families will find themselves in a difficult position.

All hands on deck
Working with the Financial Ombudsman Service

Published 27 November 2023

At the Financial Ombudsman Service, we’ve been working hard to deliver faster results for complainants and firms without compromising on the quality of our decisions. We are building the service that our customers need and rightly expect, with the flexibility and capacity to deal with the changing landscape in financial services and beyond.

The final countdown
What do the next twelve months have in store for UK politics?

Published 27 November 2023

Everyone knows the saying “a week is a long time in politics” so a year could be considered an eternity. However, I did want to talk about the next twelve months as we head towards the general election and a possible change in government.

Combating economic crime
Giving fraud prevention the credit it deserves

Published 27 November 2023

The need to tackle fraud remains critical. As UK Finance reports that consumers have lost over half a billion pounds to fraud in the first half of 2023, it has never been more important to stop criminals in their tracks – at the earliest opportunity.

Who guards the guardians?
Tackling scammers impersonating the regulator

Published 27 November 2023

The Financial conduct Authority (FCA) has a pivotal role when it comes to the granting of consumer credit to individuals. Principally it is an organisation which regulates lenders, their agreements and everything to do with credit. Its tentacles are spread far and wide.

Understanding CP23/21
FCA Consultation Paper: Consumer Credit – Product Sales Data Reporting

Published 27 November 2023

In September 2023, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a consultation paper (“CP23/21”) entitled, “Consumer Credit – Product Sales Data Reporting”. WHAT? Under this consultation, the FCA “seeks views on our proposal to introduce three new Product Sales Data (PSD) returns into Chapter 16 of the Supervision manual (SUP 16).