Regulatory News:
11 November 2026

Published 11 November 2026

The CMA has removed outdated requirements affecting high-cost short-term credit and home-collected credit lenders. Firms should review the changes alongside their continuing FCA and consumer protection obligations. The FCA has reiterated its focus on fair consumer contracts and the importance of regularly reviewing existing rules to ensure regulation remains effective and proportionate.

Regulatory News:
28 October 2026

Published 28 October 2026

The FCA is consulting on reforms to the SM&CR to streamline the regime and updates to its Financial Crime Guide. It has also restricted six unregulated lenders over concerns about their anti-money laundering controls. The motor finance legal challenge continues, with the hearing extended to 16 February to 3 March 2027. Meanwhile, firms reported 1.

Regulatory News:
21 October 2026

Published 21 October 2026

The FCA has updated its guidance for firms on the motor finance compensation scheme, providing further information to support firms as they prepare for its implementation. The FCA has also published examples of good practice and areas for improvement in the use of AI in financial services.

Regulatory News:
14 October 2026

Published 14 October 2026

The Upper Tribunal will hear legal challenges to the FCA’s motor finance compensation scheme in February 2027. Although the scheme is partially suspended, firms must continue preparing. Separately, Liam Coleman has been appointed permanent chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service for a three-year term, having served as interim chair for the past year.

Making every retry count: Payment recovery for regulated lenders

Published 13 October 2026

Most consumer credit firms treat a failed collection as the start of the arrears process. In reality, it is the end of a payments process, often one never designed.

Regulatory News:
8 October 2026

Published 08 October 2026

The FCA has confirmed it will retain the HCSTC price cap at its current level, following broad stakeholder support, and will instead monitor the market using new consumer credit sales data. Its latest survey also shows rising levels of confidence, satisfaction and trust among firms, alongside a strong understanding of Consumer Duty expectations.

The devil finds work for idle hands: Using the pause in motor finance redress to prepare for what’s next

Published 06 October 2026

The FCA might have paused parts of the motor finance redress scheme, but the claimant industry certainly has not. While lenders have been given more time to prepare, claims management companies still have the same commercial incentive to generate claims.

Pulling in the same direction: Why collaboration is the only way forward for the debt sector

Published 01 October 2026

When I stepped into the role of Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) CEO in March 2026, one thing hit me immediately: the UK debt landscape is full of brilliant, committed people – advisers, creditors, lenders, regulators, collectors, utilities, enforcement professionals, fintech innovators, researchers – working hard to improve outcomes for people in problem debt.

Unlocking credit access: How alternative data is transforming UK lending

Published 29 September 2026

The UK lending landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as financial institutions face rising consumer demand, evolving regulations and increasing pressure to improve financial inclusion. According to insights in “LexisNexis Risk Solutions – Untapped Lending Report”, traditional credit data, long the backbone of lending decisions, may no longer be sufficient.

Changing track: The Financial Services Bill: Why it matters for consumer credit

Published 24 September 2026

It is not often that a piece of legislation genuinely changes the direction of travel for financial services. Most Bills amend existing rules, tidy up legislation or deal with highly technical issues that rarely make it into everyday conversations between lenders and regulators. The Financial Services Bill feels rather different.

Compliance belongs in product design, not at the end of it

Published 22 September 2026

In regulated financial services, the familiar pattern persists: a product team develops an idea, maps the customer journey, defines the experience, and only then asks compliance to review it. By that stage, the most important decisions are usually already made. That model is increasingly outdated.

At a crossroads: AI and the race for efficiency in debt collection

Published 17 September 2026

The debt collection sector is undergoing a period of transition. Macro-economic conditions remain challenging and, although rising insolvencies and surging energy arrears are driving greater volumes of unpaid debt to agencies, recovery rates have slowed due to mounting regulatory pressures and concerns about arrears portfolio quality.