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By

Elliot Smith
24
Jun

Making the Data Count: FCA PSD Reporting for Consumer Credit Firms

June 24, 2025
In the dynamic world of consumer credit, staying ahead isn’t just about competitive rates or innovative products—it’s also about robust compliance. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) emphasises the significance of Product Sales Data (PSD) reporting, a critical component for firms operating in sectors such as debt collection, high-cost short-term credit (HCSTC), pawnbroking, and credit brokerage....
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24
Jun

Financial Lives 2024: Key Insights for UK Consumer Credit Firms

June 24, 2025
The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Financial Lives 2024 Survey provides a comprehensive overview of UK consumers’ financial situations, behaviours, and attitudes.  For consumer credit firms, these insights are invaluable for aligning operations with regulatory expectations and enhancing customer outcomes. What’s New in the 2024 Survey Digital Inclusion Improvements: The number of digitally excluded adults decreased...
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24
Jun

FCA’s Authorisations Metrics: What Consumer Credit Firms Looking to Apply For New Permissions Need to Know

June 24, 2025
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently published its Q4 2024/25 Authorisations Operating Service Metrics, covering the period from January to March 2025. This quarterly report provides transparency into the FCA’s performance in processing various applications, which is crucial for firms in the financial services sector, especially those involved in consumer credit.   Key Highlights from...
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24
Jun

FCA Compliance for SMCR and Directors

June 24, 2025
FCA Compliance and Senior Hires: Why Background Screening Is A Non-Negotiable In the highly regulated financial services industry in the UK, the integrity, competence, and honesty of individuals holding senior roles are critical to maintaining public trust and organisational stability. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) places significant emphasis on ensuring that directors and senior managers...
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24
Jun

Why Consumer Credit Firms Must Get FCA Returns Right

June 24, 2025
In today’s tightly regulated financial environment, data isn’t just a back-office task—it’s a regulatory lifeline. For UK consumer credit firms, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires precise and timely regulatory reporting to ensure firms are operating within the rules and delivering fair outcomes to consumers. Through its consumer credit reporting requirements, the FCA gains insight...
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24
Jun

Banked But Broke? What the FCA’s Findings Mean for You—and the Credit Industry

June 24, 2025
We’ve All Got Bank Accounts… So Why Aren’t We Saving? According to the latest FCA press release, financial inclusion is improving in some areas, but troubling gaps remain. While more people in the UK now have bank accounts, 1 in 10 adults still have no cash savings whatsoever. That’s right—no rainy day fund, no emergency...
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21
May

How Pawnbrokers Are Helping Customers Reclaim Their Cash

May 21, 2025
Imagine walking into your local pawnbroker to cash a cheque or exchange currency, only to discover you’re owed money from a previous transaction. Thanks to a recent initiative by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), this scenario is becoming a reality for many customers. The Surplus Dilemma In the pawnbroking world, when a pawned item sells...
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21
May

Understanding the FCA’s New Approach to Supervisory Communications

May 21, 2025
On 24th April 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a significant overhaul of its supervisory communications, aiming to simplify and modernise its engagement with regulated firms. This initiative is part of the FCA’s broader strategy to enhance regulatory efficiency and support the implementation of the Consumer Duty. Key Changes to Supervisory Communications 1. Discontinuation...
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21
May

Cyber Wake-Up Call: Why M&S Should Have You Rethinking Security

May 21, 2025
Imagine this: you’re a team member in the IT Department at a well-known retail giant, and you’re suddenly told to stay overnight at the office — not for a team-building exercise, but because of a major cyber incident. You’re cut off from critical systems, communication is in disarray, and paranoia is spreading faster than malware....
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07
Apr

The FCA’s FS25/2 Update: Previous “Dear CEO” Advisory Changes – what it could mean for Consumer Credit Firms

April 7, 2025
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has just unveiled its latest regulatory refresh – FS25/2 – on 25th March 2025. For businesses operating in the consumer credit sector, this is more than just a policy update – it’s a chance to breathe easier as the FCA trims unnecessary complexity and sharpens its focus on outcomes-based regulation. ...
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