Proposed changes to responsible lending regulations hit the Australian federal Senate the week before last. Since the 2008 – 2009 Global Financial Crisis, Financial regulation and responsible lending laws have been largely combative, with inflamed tensions between bankers and lawyers. The reforms were first announced in September 2020, in the hopes of boosting Australia’s credit…
Our previous post on Buy Now Pay Later’s (BNPL’s) focussed on the possible transparency issues that can arise when utilising them, particularly regarding the silent accumulation of debt that has become increasingly concerning. The use of BNPL’s can further fuel a culture in which ‘fast fashion’ and excess consumption are viewed as both advantageous and…
An independent strategic review of UK financial technology (FinTech) has been published in line with the emerging prominence of this sector and the UK’s highly regarded fintech reputation. Also known as ‘The Kalifa Review’, its purpose is to aid the adoption and growth of Fintech in the UK. The review illustrates a strategy and delivery…
British expats living in the EU have faced a block on borrowing from some British lenders following the UK’s exit from the European Union. Lenders including Newbury and Marsden Building Societies have adopted the policy however have signalled that the restrictions may only be temporary measures, depending on ongoing negotiations between the UK and EU. …
Buy now Pay later (‘BNPL’) providers like Klarna and Clearpay allow customers to purchase goods in a series of instalments, without the fear of crippling interest rates or a late payment fee. Yet, the appeal of such an offer can often mask the reality that it is in fact, a form of credit. An unintended…
A leading analyst has warned that negative interest rates could cost Britain’s ‘big five’ banks £1 billion a year in lost profits. A cut in interest rates to -0.15% would knock up to 11% off the leading banks annual profits, even if they implement offsetting measures like those used within a eurozone. The warning comes…
The Bank of England (BoE) announced last week that it plans to revamp existing stress tests as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. The changes will impact stress tests across the UK banking sector and are being introduced in order to reflect the repercussions on personal and business finances from the pandemic and resulting lockdowns. …
Amendments to the Financial Services Bill written to assist mortgage prisoners were blocked last week by the economic secretary to the treasury. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had proposed new clauses 24, 25 and 26 in order to extend it’s regulatory perimeter allowing it to regulate the management and ownership of a regulated mortgage contract,…
Freelance borrowers face being effectively ‘locked out’ of the mortgage market by lending restrictions which would force them to raise a £100,000 deposit. Major lenders have started cracking down on freelancers as part of their own risk-aversion strategies. Santander have blocked mortgage applications from freelancers unless they have a deposit of at least 40%. The…
For much of 2020 the focus for lending regulators has been the coronavirus pandemic and assisting borrowers through the crisis. As we move into the new year that focus is set to continue however there is likely to be the chance for new developments that have been put on hold thanks to the restrictions. The…