Social networking sites being targeted by debt collectors

Whilst we all consider social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to be associated with the entertainment, communicating with friends, or simply making comments to let others know your thoughts, there are some people that use them for strictly business purposes. This includes those that want to find out information or try and make contact with people for something more than just adding them as friends!

It has been revealed that in some cases debt collectors have been targeting people that owe money through the use of social networking sites, posting messages on these popular sites. However, officials are concerned that people could soon find embarrassing and confidential details about their debts and finances making their way onto the Internet if this practise continues. There are concerns that messages posted on these social networking sites by debt collection firms could be seen by friend, family and even work colleagues of the person that the message has been left for.

With this in mind the Office of Fair Trading has now warned the debt collecting industry about using these social networking sites to contact people that owe them money. The OFT has now updated its guidelines with regards to debt collecting firms, which were last updated in 2006. The debt collection industry has also been warned about contacting people at locations that are deemed inappropriate such as hospitals.

An official from the OFT said: ‘In the present economic climate, with many people, including those who may be particularly vulnerable, in financial difficulties, it is crucial they are treated fairly by companies recovering their debts. This updated guidance makes clear the standards the OFT expects of all businesses involved in debt recovery, including debt collectors, banks and law firms.’

Tags: family, debt collection firms, mind, whilst, office of fair trading, Technology Internet, twitter, official

Making it easier to get finance

One of the most important factors for lenders who are considering extending any form of finance to you is your credit file and rating, which will often determine whether or not lenders will be prepared to extend finance to you or not. Whether you are applying for a loan, credit card, store card, catalogue, or mortgage you will find that your credit file and rating can have a huge impact on your level of success.

For anyone that needs to take out finance and is relying on being able to get that finance it is important to do everything possible to boost your chances of success. Of course, no matter what measures you take there is still no guarantee that you will be able to get the finance that you need. However, you can increase your chances of getting it through measures such as keeping your credit file and score in check.

Maintaining responsible and timely payments on bills and debts will help to ensure that your credit file and score is not damaged. Also, showing that you can manage money responsibly will help, which means not having a range of credit cards that are maxed to the hilt or applying for finance on a regular basis – all of this will show up on your credit report.

You will be able to check your credit report on a regular basis either by ordering copies or even by checking them online, which is the easiest and most convenient way. Checking your credit file on a regular basis will ensure that you are not penalized for incorrect, inaccurate or out of date information, as you can look out for any information that is not correct and get it sorted out right away.

Tags: store card, hilt, lenders, regular basis, important factors, convenient way, Credit rating agency, timely payments

More than a fifth of over 55s have a personal loan

Often, personal loans are associated with younger people in their twenties or thirties who may be borrowing the money to buy a new car, pay for their wedding or splash out on a luxury holiday. However, it seems that even older people are lumbered with personal loan debt these days with a recent study showing that more than one fifth of consumers aged fifty five and over were paying off a personal loan.

Whilst in years gone by people reaching their late fifties and sixties enjoyed the luxury of knowing that by the time they reached this age they had paid off their debts and often their mortgage as well, leaving them financially free to enjoy life during their retirement years with no financial burden to hold them down. However, these days things are quite different for many people in their fifties and sixties many of whom still have debts such as personal loans and mortgage debt.

Research was recently carried out by the insurance giant Aviva, which showed that more than one fifth of people aged fifty five and older have a personal loan. In total 21 percent of people over this age had a personal loan. The research was carried out as part of the Aviva Real Retirement Report and involved polling more than ten thousand people aged over fifty five.

An official from Aviva said: “The over-55s have seen their finances deteriorate over the last quarter as people struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living on a relatively fixed income. Taking out a private pension, building up a respectable savings pot and paying down debt are all simple steps that people can take to ensure they don’t face these problems in retirement.”

Tags: polling, building, retirement, total 21 percent, aviva, study, over, late fifties

Payday loan repayment delays can lead to hefty charges

According to a recent report there are now many people who take out payday loans in order to bridge the gap between paydays. With the cost of living soaring, petrol prices having rocketed, bills going up, and food costing much more, many people are now struggling to make ends meet financially and their wages are simply not lasting for the whole month, leaving them short of cash part way through the month when the next payday is still a long way off.

As a result of this, more and more people have found themselves in a situation where they have had to borrow money in order to make ends meet and for some this is becoming a regular occurrence. Whilst some people are turning to family members and friends in order to secure this finance to tide them over others are turning to lenders, with many opting for payday loans because they are quick to process, require no credit checks, allow consumers to borrow modest amounts of money for short periods of time, and offer a fixed fee.

However, whilst some people have found these payday loans to be a financial lifeline in a very difficult climate, industry experts are warning that the cost of borrowing can increase even further with these payday loans if they are not repaid on time. The interest rates charges are already extortionate on these loans, although many customers do not realise this because they are borrowing the money for such a short period of time.

One financial industry professional said: “There is a real danger that customers could fall into a spiral of debt where they have to take out a loan each month just to make ends meets. The golden rule is not to borrow money unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Tags: tide, customers, credit checks, personal finance, short periods, order, result, Payday loan repayment

Debt affecting the lives of many students

There is little doubt that the high levels of debt that students have to get into in order to get an advanced education have affected their abilities to do many things in life. For many people that leave university with high levels of debt the next decade or more could be spent focusing on repaying the debt, with everything else having to be put onto the back burner.

A study that was recently carried out has revealed the extent to which many students are having to put their lives on hold in order to focus on their student debt after leaving university. As a double whammy, many now not only face the prospect of having to spend over a decade repaying their student debt but also face very bleak prospects of getting a high paid job because of the current climate.

Uswitch.com carried out research to show how many students are having to put their lives on hold in order to repay their student debt. Over 30 percent had been unable to start a pension when they wanted to according to the reports and nearly 50 percent had been forced to put off buying a home. Nearly 60 percent of students had been unable to save money because of their debts and close to 30 percent had delayed plans for marriage.

One industry official said: “The fact that graduates have to put their life on hold because they are knee deep in student debt is a sorry state of affairs. And as fees go up, students risk running up even bigger debts. But without a degree, getting a job in today’s stagnant market may be even harder.”

He added: “Going to university used to be the norm, but it is now becoming a catch 22. It is also worrying that students are going to university blind to the financial implications. Higher fees and lack of job prospects may be out of your control, but if university is right for you it’s more important than ever that you are as financially prepared as possible.”

Tags: debts, Student loan, official, life, Higher fees, Financial services, study, fact

Family debt set to spiral

It has been suggested recently that family debt is set to spiral out of control over the next four years, with families expected to be struggling with average debts of around £84,000 per household. A report claims that the level of total household debt by 2015, including mortgages, loans, and credit cards, will reach an amazing £2,126 billion. For many this prediction is cause for concern given the difficult financial future that many people are already facing.

The documents were released by the government’s spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility. Over recent months this agency is said to have significantly increased its predictions when it comes to the size and level of household debt in Britain. At present the debt level stands at £1,628 billion but it is predicted that this will increase every year until the end of parliament in 2015.

The Office of Budget Responsibility has said that part of the reason for this increased forecast when it comes to household debt is the austerity drive from the government, which is set to have a huge impact on families and households, affecting their finances hugely. In June of last year the prediction was that household debt would stand at £1,823 billion by 2015.

There are concerns that as a result of the government cutbacks, the soaring cost of living, and wage freezes or cuts, many families will have no other option but to increase their debts in order to keep their heads above water, but their ability to do this and to repay their debts will eventually run out, leaving them in a very difficult financial situation.

Labour’s treasury spokesman David Hanson said: ‘Hard-pressed families will have to borrow more money to deal with the effect of George Osborne’s tax and benefits squeeze.’

Tags: option, financial, credit, Cost of living, situation, Business Finance, debt level

Money Advice service now available for consumers

There is no doubt that there are many people these days that are desperate for financial advice, as they have a range of money issues that they need advice and help with, including debt advice, pensions advice, and advice on savings and other financial services. However, it has become increasingly difficult for people to get the advice that they needed over recent years, especially in respect of debt with demand for these services soaring.

However, the government has now launched its Money Advice Service, which is designed to provide consumers with advice relating to a wide range of financial issues that may be causing confusion or problems. Consumers are able to use the service online or can use it by phoning or visiting an advisor in person. The aim of the service is to offer free, impartial advice to those that have issues relating to their finances.

The service deals with a wide range of different areas relating to finance, and it is available to anyone that needs advice regardless of what their financial situation is. The service also offers access to a range of tools and resources for consumers to use in order to help them with their financial queries and issues. The service has evolved from the Consumer Financial Education Body, which was launched in 2010.

The service’s chairman Gerard Lemos said: “The Money Advice Service is here to make people’s lives easier and better. We’re not here to sell people anything and we won’t charge anyone – we are here to help people take decisions about their money and plan for a better future for themselves and their families.”

Another official stated: “It is important that everyone in the UK has the knowledge, skills and confidence to make the financial decisions that are right for them. We welcome the launch of the Money Advice Service as a new way to give consumers information about managing their money and choosing the financial products that are right for them.”

Tags: advice, financial, way, service, service online, launch, better future, anyone

Competition pushes loan rates down further

A number of lenders across the UK have reduced their personal loan interest rates over the past few months, which has increased affordability when it comes to borrowing in the UK. Most lenders have applied their best rate reductions to loans in the mid-range section, which are generally unsecured loans of between £7500 and £15000.

It has been reported recently that competition in the personal loan sector is resulting in increasingly affordable deals coming onto the market for potential borrowers. The base interest rate in the UK has been standing at just 0.5 percent for twenty two months now, which is the lowest level it has ever been in the history of the Bank of England, which spans well over three centuries.

The increasing competition means that lenders are continually trying to get one over on one another by reducing personal loan rates to make themselves more popular amongst consumers. This is helping to further drive down the interest rates charged on loans, as when one lender reduces the rates the others tend to follow. One lender, M&S, has now reduced the interest rate on its mid-range personal loan to just 6.9 percent, and this is the first time in around two and a half years that it has dropped below the 7 percent barrier.

According to one industry official restrictions are being eased up to some degree, giving consumers access the more affordable deals on the market. He said: ‘At long last, after a period of inactivity, we are starting to see the whole personal loan market starting to open up. Many lenders are beginning to open their books to more consumers and we are seeing more competitive deals, even for loans below £7,500.’

Tags: lenders, best rate reductions, section, drive, competition, Affordability

Should there be caps on charges for payday loans?

Payday loans have become increasingly popular over recent years. This is not because they provide great value for money on borrowing or anything along those lines. The reasons for their popularity is clear – they are easily accessible for those that work because no credit check is required, they enable struggling consumers to get the money that they need pretty much right away, and they offer short term loans to tide people over until they get paid, which suits many of those that simply cannot make their monthly wages stretch quite far enough anymore.

The rise in the cost of living, the increase in VAT, cuts in wages, and potential job losses have all taken their toll on consumer finances, and this has left many people unable to make their budget stretch far enough to even afford the basics. Many of these people are turning to finance such as credit cards and overdrafts. Others are turning to payday loans, which come with extortionate APRs but are often the only possible short term solution for those with poor credit.

There are now set to be discussions in the House of Commons with regards to whether increasingly stringent legislation should be brought in with regards to the charges made for credit by payday loan provider and home credit lenders. The House of Commons is set to vote on the backbencher motion later this week. The move comes as consumer prepare for another year of hardship and worry over jobs, benefits, debt, and other financial issues.

It was reported recently that one in every ten people were unable to make their wages stretch for the whole month, and their wages tended to run out on the 20^th of each month, leaving them with more than a week without money.

Tags: accessible, hardship, backbencher, solution, great value, week, check, caps

Interest rate increases will mean paying out more on debt

Industry officials have said that increases in interest rates over the next four years will result in families having to find more money every year to make increased payments on debt such as credit cards, loans, and other forms of finance that are based on variable rates. This could result in families having to find a whopping £1800 a year more in order to deal with the increased interest on these debts.

For nearly two years now the base interest rate has been at an all time low of just 0.5 percent, and this is he lowest it has been in the history of the Bank of England, which spans over three centuries. However, inflation levels are now soaring and many industry officials now believe that the rate of interest will have to rise over the course of this year in order to keep a lid on inflation, which could mean more financial hardship for many households.

There are a number of experts that think the rate rises could start by this summer, which means that households would have to cope with additional interest on their debts as well as higher living costs and increased VAT, which went up by 2.5 percent at the start of this year. Mortgage payers will also be affected with extra payments, which could leave many on the financial edge and put them at risk of missed repayments.

The Bank of England said: “Currently, around two thirds of outstanding mortgages in the United Kingdom have floating interest rates, somewhat above the average over the past five years. That proportion is rising as mortgagors move on to standard variable rate products as existing fixed-rate deals expire. This exposes more households to the risk of increases in interest rates.”

Tags: Loans, year, United Kingdom, variable rate products, interest rates, lid, households

Competition increases in personal loans market

The start of this year has marked a change in the personal loans market that has seen a variety of well known lenders reducing the rates on some of their personal loans, and this has resulted in the average rate of interest being charged on loans of between £7500 and £15000 falling to their lowest level since November 2008.

Many consumers who have been considering a loan will welcome the news, as it means that they will pay far less for their borrowing as lenders compete with one another to offer the best deals and entice consumers away from their competitors. High Street banking giant Santander is offering a personal loan between these amounts at just 7.3 percent, and others are also offering similar rates.

However, those that are after a loan of £5000 or less will find themselves paying far more in the way of interest, as the rate of interest on smaller loans has actually increased during this period. Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and M&S Money are amongst the other lenders that have decided to reduce their interest rates on larger loans, but some are only offering the most competitive deals to existing customers rather than both existing and new customers, which may cause some disappointment amongst both consumers and industry officials.

A financial expert stated: ‘It’s welcome news for customers to see loan rates falling at long last and from some of the largest providers in the market. It’s a shame that the rate cutting has, apart from Tesco and M&S Money, been targeted at existing customers only. The other downside is that lower interest rates are not on offer for smaller borrowings, so for anyone looking to borrow a sum of say £2,000 to £3,000, the interest rate will be well into double figures and in some cases pushing 20% APR.’

Tags: customer, downside, year, new customers, expert, apr, money

Consumers could benefit from consolidating debt in 2011

According to industry experts many people that are hoping to streamline their budgets over the coming year may be able to benefit from consolidating their debts with the use of a low rate consolidation loan. With New Year coming up there are many people whose resolution will be to sort out their finances after a very challenging year financially, and consolidation is something that may be able to help with this.

Consumers who want to reduce the amount that they are paying out each month, cut the interest that they pay overall on their combined debts, and reduce the number of repayments that they have to make very month may find that a consolidation loan is the ideal solution, as this can eliminate all three of these problems.

Those that are considering consolidation can look at wrapping all of their unsecured loans, credit cards, store cards, and other unsecured debts into one loan, which means that they benefit from increased convenience, less work due to having to deal with fewer creditors, and hopefully lower repayments by finding a low cost consolidation loan.

Those that want to consolidate their loans are advised to shop around for the right loan, as there are a number of providers and lenders that offer these loans, but things like the interest rate charged and the eligibility criteria can vary from one provider to another.

One industry official said: “The start of the New Year is often a great time for people to make a fresh start with things like their finances, and finding a low cost consolidation loan to wrap up existing finance and streamline the budget could benefit many consumers as long as they find the right deal.”

Tags: rate consolidation loan, rate, Unsecured loan, right loan, consolidation loan

Doorstep lenders can cause huge problems for consumers

It has been claimed in a recent report that doorstep lenders in the UK often cause huge problems for consumers because the loans that they offer can put borrowers in a cycle of debt that is difficult to escape. The OFT is now on a mission to try and protect vulnerable consumers from getting into financial hot water with these doorstep loans by making lenders prove that they are adhering to the Consumer Credit Act.

 

In the past eighteen months over 100 applications for licenses from doorstep lenders have been turned down by the Office of Fair Trading, and according to reports the watchdog has now written to around half of these companies asking for proof that they are adhering to the regulations and rules of the Consumer Credit Act. Companies have three months to provide this information.

 

Some doorstep lenders have been accused of misleading customers by failing to provide details about things such as their right to cancel, which makes some borrowers think that they are stuck in the credit agreement when in fact they are still within the time period where they can cancel. Others were accused of turning up at people’s houses without any prior notification or arrangement.

 

The crippling rates of interest charged by doorstep lenders have also been highlighted as a problem, and whilst the loans are only meant to be short term ones the APR that is charged by these lenders can be extortionate. This can quickly lead to already vulnerable consumers falling into even more severe problems with their finances. The OFT said that at this time of year in particular, with many people desperate for money to spend on Christmas purchases, tackling this issue was a priority in order to help people to avoid further debt problems and issues.

Tags: uk, credit agreement, recent report, severe problems, notification, mission, year, doorstep lenders

Loan sharks could become bigger problem because of Christmas

There are concerns amongst industry officials that problems relating to unlicensed and unregulated loan sharks could get worse as a result of the festive season and the current financial climate. Many people have struggled to get finance such as loans, credit cards, and overdraft, for the past couple of years due to the financial crisis, and with Christmas around the corner money will be tighter than ever leading to increased desperation for many.

 

The lack of finance availability for many people has resulted in many vulnerable consumers turning to other measures such as doorstep lenders and loan sharks, and this is something that has already been causing concern for officials. Whilst doorstep lenders charge a lot of interest they do not cause as much concern as loan sharks, as these are not even licensed lenders and have been known to swindle borrowers, resort to violence to get their money, and more.

 

Authorities are now continuing to urge consumers to steer clear of loan sharks no matter how desperate they get, as taking money through an illegal loan shark will not only financially crippling but could actually end up ruining the lives of people who get caught up with some loan sharks who will resort to anything to get their money.

 

Officials are also worried that with Christmas coming up more struggling consumers could end up turning to these sharks, and could put themselves in financial and physical danger as a result of this. Many people do not have any savings to spend on Christmas, and reports have shown that there are many consumers that are unable to raise even £200 to cover the cost of Christmas gifts and other purchases, which would increase the chances of them turning to less reputable lenders and illegal lenders.

Tags: GBP, climate, credit, measures, finance availability

Consumers advised to focus on debts for New Year

Industry experts are advising consumers to focus on their debt issues once the New Year comes around in order to avoid having to spend another year struggling with their finances, particularly given that the economy and job situation is still very challenging and fragile. Many people will have been struggling with debt for some time, whereas others may accrue temporary debt over the Christmas period. Either way, experts are suggesting that they tackle their debt problems head on once 2011 hits.

For many people in debt it is all too easy to bury their heads in the sand and try and forget about their debts until they spiral out of control to the extent that action has to be taken either by the borrower or their creditors. Many people are using, or have already used, their credit cards to fund their purchases over the festive season this year, and this could lead to spiralling debt levels for many people.

Tackling debt can be difficult but officials believe that by kicking the New Year off in the way that they mean to go on consumers are able to tackle their debt issues more effectively by streamlining their finances and getting things into order. Some are advising consumers to go through their budget with a fine toothcomb and go through their income and outgoings to see where they can make cutbacks to save on the amount that they pay out each month and avoid further debt.

One official said: “Another option for consumers when the New Year comes around is to consider taking out a consolidation loan and wrapping all of their various debts into one lower interest one, as this could save them money and the hassle of dealing with different creditors.”

Tags: Business Finance, job, time, job situation, debt consolidation, month, festive season, action

Loan service launched to help consumers avoid loans sharks

A new loans service has been launched in the UK to help consumers get the finance that they need to manage financially without having to turn to loan sharks, according to recent reports. There have been many concerns expressed about consumers that cannot get traditional credit, as many turn to unscrupulous and unregulated loans sharks out of desperation.

The new loans service in the West Midlands has been launched by the National Housing Federation, and it is hoped that it will help consumers that cannot get traditional finance to avoid going through a loan shark. Consumers will be able to borrow up to £500 as part of the service, and this will be subject to a 45 minute interview to ensure that the borrower will be able to repay the loan.

Repayments on the amount borrowed will be paid weekly, and in addition to being able to get a modest loan consumers will also be able to benefit from debt advice. The scheme is being called My Home Finance, and it will offer a range of services including helping consumers to open bank accounts and offering advice on their debt and financial problems.

One concern that some have about the new service is that the interest charged is higher than the maximum level that credit unions are allowed to charge, which is 26.8 percent APR. The new scheme charges interest of 29.9 percent APR during the pilot, and this will then increase to 49.9 percent APR.

An official from the National Housing Federation said: “By offering fair loans at fair prices, we hope to offer an alternative to both loan sharks, who cynically prey on hard up families, and doorstep lenders, who are all too willing to lend cash to the desperate at hugely inflated rates of interest.”

Tags: National Housing Federation, personal finance, new scheme charges, Title loan, traditional credit

Government advises consumers to be aware of payday loan risks

There have been mixed opinions about payday loans over the past year or so, with these loans being highlighted as a result of the rising number of people that have been turning to them because of difficulties in getting credit elsewhere during the recession and financial crisis.

Many officials have expressed concern over the rate of interest that is charged on payday loans, stating that consumers often fail to realise what they are getting themselves into when they take out payday loans because they cannot get finance in any way. However, there are also many people and officials that state that payday loans provide a useful service to those that are in need of finance but can’t get it from other sources because it stops them having to go to loan sharks.

On its DirectGov website the government is now advising consumers to ensure that they learn about the dangers of taking out payday loans before making any commitment, and to ensure that they do not jump in without doing their research as they could otherwise get caught up in a debt trap.

The site states that there are rising numbers of people that cannot get finance from traditional banks and lenders, which means that a rising number of people are likely to go to payday lenders in order to get finance. This could have a further impact on the number of people that find themselves with spiralling debt, which will add to the already worrying personal debt problem that exists in the UK.

The site advises consumers to fully understand the charges and costs involved with payday loans, ensure that they do not borrow more than they need or for any longer than they need to, and to ensure that the lender is a member of the British Cheque and Credit Association (BCCA).

Tags: consumer debt, credit, loan, debt, Payday loan

Personal loan rates need to be capped

Calls have been made for the government to put a cap on the interest rates charged on personal loans. This follows research that showed that most consumers in Britain want to see a cap on the rates of interest that lenders can charge for personal loans. The research was carried out recently by Compass on behalf of YouGov.

According to the results of the study around 68 percent of consumers believe that the government has a responsibility to protect consumers who take out personal loans by ensuring that a cap is put on personal loan interest rates. In addition to this the research found that a similar number of people, around 69 percent, wanted to see government officials promoting affordable means of credit such as credit unions.

Earlier this year a report was produced by consumer watchdog group Consumer Focus, and this showed that the popularity of ‘legal loan sharking’ was increasing. The watchdog’s report showed how the number of people that were taking out payday loans had quadrupled in the past four years, with around 1.2 Brits now taking out such loans.

The Association of British Credit Unions also issued a recent warning to consumers, warning them to be vigilant for loans that seemed attractive but in actual fact charged up to 2500 percent in interest per year. Compass said that the calls for caps on personal loans would be a test to see whether the new government would be supporting consumers or lenders.

One Compass official said: “This is a key test of the coalition government’s stated commitment to create a fairer society. Now we need to see if it backs the people or the financiers.”

Tags: loan, finance, interest, credit, cap, Britain

Billions accrued in debt during downturn

It has been claimed in a recent report that Brits have managed to accrue billions of pounds in debt during the economic downturn as a result of their shopping addictions. Despite the money worries and concerns over job security that have been experienced by many consumers many have continued indulging in their shopping addiction, and accruing huge debts into the bargain.

The comparison website uSwitch claims that British shoppers have managed to accrue £24 billion worth of debt as a result of their recession shopaholism, which is a term that the website uses to describe those that have built up more than half of their debt through purchases of fashion items.

The breakdown provided by the website showed that there were more women than men that were classed as shopping addicts, with three million men and four million women. However, the average debt accrued was higher amongst men, coming to £3425 compared with £3353 for women. Unsecured debt for women in Britain came to £13 billion and this compared to £10 billion for men.

An official from uSwitch said that although finances have been strained for many people many women had continued to follow their idols and buy a range of expensive fashion items including clothes, handbags, and shoes rather than curbing their spending on fashion shopping in order to save money and ease the financial strain. In some cases those that have accrued debt by shopping for non-essentials during the downturn have said that the recession and economic downturn has been the cause of their spending, as they have shopped to cheer themselves up.

uSwitch officials said: “Despite the financial constraints, women have carried on copying the lifestyles and shopping habits of their idols and ignoring the debt they are racking up in the process.”

Tags: consumers, Financial services, uswitch, report, debt, finance, credit, Brits

Payday loans soar due to credit crunch

Payday loans have been at the centre of controversy for some time, and this is largely due to the high rate of interest charged by these lenders on an annual basis. However, some have argues that these lenders receive unnecessary bad press, because the interest charged is not that much providing the loan is paid back in time, and some officials argue that these loans can be very useful for those that desperately need short term financial help.

It has now been reported that the level of payday loans being taken out has soared partly as a result of the global credit crunch, which has left many people short of cash and in financial dire straits. In the space of four years the number of people taking out these payday loans is said to have quadrupled, as more and more people find themselves desperate for cash for a short term period.

The APRs that some of these payday lenders charge has caused a lot of concern over recent years, but for those that only borrow for a short period and repay the loan on time rather than rolling it over the cost of borrowing is not as bad as it sounds. Some charity officials have said that it is preferable for consumers to go to payday loan companies for short term loans to tide them over rather than unscrupulous loan sharks.

Whilst there have been calls for these loans to be banned officials from Consumer Focus said: ‘These products are controversial, but we don’t agree with calls for them to be banned. Outlawing payday loans could leave some borrowers vulnerable to illegal loan sharks. Instead we need sensible safeguards now to stop borrowers becoming dependent on this high cost credit and prevent even more stringent controls being needed in the future.’

Tags: debt, rate, concern, borrowing, loan, credit, Payday loan, help

What to look for with a personal loan

Whilst credit conditions have undoubtedly been strained over the past couple of years many believe that things are now easing up in the financial markets, and whilst lenders have not gone back to the days of easy credit the availability of loans and finance does appear to be easing up to some degree.

With this in mind many people may now start to think about taking out a personal loan for a variety of purchases, and with things easing up in the financial markets the choice of personal loans is greater than before, and there are some pretty good deals available for those that have a decent credit history and score.

There are many lenders that offer personal loans, and which cater for the needs of a wide range of people and needs. It is important for those that are looking for a personal loan to do some research and familiarise themselves with the different loans and deals available so that they can make a more informed choice when it comes to deciding which of these loans to opt for.

It is easiest to use the internet to browse and compare the different personal loans available, as this will allow you to quickly see which loans fit in with your needs and your budget without having to deal with any pushy sales people or feel embarrassed about going through your finances with someone on the phone or in person.

There are a number of key areas that you need to look at when browsing personal loans with a view to taking one of these loans out. The interest rate that you will be charged is a very important consideration, so this is something that you need to compare. However, do bear in mind that if a lender advertises a typical APR this does not mean that you will necessarily get that rate of interest but that most of the lenders customers get that rate.

The repayment periods on personal loans can vary from one provider and loan to another, so this is something else that you need to look at when you are deciding which loan you should go for. If you want to keep your repayments down then you need longer repayments periods, so make sure that you know what’s on offer.

Other things that you need to look at include the overall monthly repayments to ensure that you can afford the repayments, the eligibility requirements, the terms and conditions of the loan, and the borrowing limits, although this will vary based on your financial status.

Tags: interest, loan, credit, consideration, personal finance, Unsecured loan, status

Problems with loan sharks being tackled by specialist team

A specialist team is dealing with problems relating to illegal loan sharks, with officials from the team expressing concerns about the number of people that are falling for illegal loan shark finance due to desperation in the current financial climate. One official from the illegal money lending unit covering North Staffordshire said more people were turning to these lenders as a result of the effects of the recession.

The global credit crisis has resulted in credit drying up for many people, making it difficult for them to get the finance that they need, and for many desperate times has led to desperate measures, forcing them to turn to less reputable lenders when it comes to borrowing money.

The problems relating to loan sharks are now being tackled by the Central England Trading Standards Illegal Money Lending Team, which was launched back in 2004. The team is funded by the government and is responsible for gathering evidence on loan sharks.  

As part of their investigation into the practices and activities of loan sharks the team has set up a twenty four hour hotline that allows consumers to ’shop a shark’ and give the team more ammunition when investigating these loan sharks.

As a result of the hotline the investigators recently managed to catch out one loan shark and get him sentenced. The team hopes to be able to catch out many other loan sharks through the hotline.

An official from Staffordshire County Council, where the sentenced loan shark was from, stated: “We hope this sends out a strong message to anyone thinking they can make money illegally. These people prey on vulnerable residents without any remorse which is thoroughly shameful.”

Tags: loan, credit, Shark, Loan shark, finance

Net lending to businesses falls further

Recently released figures have suggested that net bank lending to businesses in the UK continued to fall in the month of May despite the fact that the recession is now over and the economy is meant to be getting back on its feet. Since the onset of the global credit crisis there has been a lot of concern over lack of lending by banks to businesses in the UK, and this is something that many thought would result in the recession being more prolonged than it otherwise may have been.

The recent figures were released by the Bank of England, and showed that net bank lending in the month of May from banks to businesses had fallen. However, it was also noted that the rate at which banks were writing off bad loans had fallen. The central bank also noted that the demand for borrowing by smaller and medium sized businesses remained subdued, which may have contributed to the falling figures.

According to figures net bank lending to businesses has been falling on a month by month basis since December of 2008, although there was a slight respite in November of last year, when net lending by banks to businesses saw a modest increase. There are concerns over the amount that lenders are now having to pay to borrow themselves, and it is thought that these costs could end up being passed on to corporate customers.

The data came from the recent Trends in Lending report from the central banks, and report noted: “The intensification of market concerns over fiscal sustainability in a number of countries at the start of May resulted in heightened volatility and a reduction of liquidity in funding markets.”

Tags: Business_Finance, year, corporate customers, finance, england, bank, Central bank, Banking Services

OFT launches campaign to stop loan sharks

For a number of years loans sharks have been causing much concern for campaign groups, finance industry officials, regulators, and consumers, with many people falling victim to the unscrupulous practices of unregulated lenders running dodgy operations.

The UK watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading, is now said to have launched a new campaign to warn consumers over the dangers of taking finance from a loan shark. Over the past couple of years more people have been unable to get finance from traditional lenders, and some have been forced to go to loan sharks, leaving them to pay huge amounts of interest and deal with spiralling debt.

It is estimated that around 165,000 may be at the mercy of illegal money lenders in the UK, and many of these people are low income earners living in poor areas of the country according to the Office of Fair Trading. A campaign has already been run by the watchdog, and has saved many people from these illegal lenders and resulted in a number of jail sentences for the lenders themselves.

A new campaign has now been launched by the Office of Fair Trading along with Trading Standards, and it is hoped that this new campaign will help more people to realise the dangers of borrowing from loan sharks and put even more of these illegal lenders behind bars.

Posters, leaflets, and an online advert are amongst the things that form the new campaign against loan sharks, with advertisements targeting those living in low income parts of the country in particular.

The Office of Fair Trading said: “If you have borrowed money from a loan shark, you haven’t broken the law – they have. Loan sharks cause misery to thousands of families and should be stopped.”

Tags: illegal money lenders, Moneylender, finance, office of fair trading, Loan shark, low income parts, people falling victim

Increase seen in debt consolidation loan enquiries

According to a recent report the number of enquiries relating to debt consolidation in the UK has been rising, as consumers struggle to cope with their debt and look for solutions to try and ease the financial strain. Over the last couple of years debt problems have become a major issue for many people, with the global financial crisis and the recession taking their toll.

There are a number of options that are available to those that have unmanageable levels of debt these days, and one of these is to consolidate their debts. A debt consolidation loan is designed to allow borrowers to wrap all of their different unsecured loans, credit cards, store cards, etc into one more convenient, lower interest loan.

By consolidating their debts borrowers can enjoy reducing the overall amount of interest that they pay, will only have to deal with one creditor and one repayment each month, and can greatly reduce the amount that they are paying out each month by taking out the consolidation loan over a longer period so that repayments are smaller.

The report claims that over the past couple of years many people have accrued high levels of debt through having to borrow money to manage their day to day costs and even through having to use their credit cards for essentials, bill payments, and in some cases mortgage repayments.

Many of the enquiries that are being received by lenders who offer consolidation loans are from homeowners who want to use some of the equity in their homes to borrow money and repay their smaller debts. Consumers that are looking to consolidate their debts are being advised to compare a range of loans from different lenders to boost their chances of getting the best deal.

Tags: lenders, debt, loan, finance, crisis, debt consolidation

Should Brits take out loans for weddings?

As most married couples will already know getting married can be an expensive affair if you want all the trimmings, and those that are looking to have the perfect wedding, entertain guests, provide food and entertainment, and round things off with a romantic honeymoon will know that the cost can run into thousands of pounds.

In the current financial climate it can be difficult for couples to save the kind of money that they need for a wedding within a reasonable space of time, particularly if they also want to put a deposit down on a property. It would therefore be natural to think that many couples look into taking out a loan for their special day.

Many couples do turn to personal or wedding loans in order to pay for the big day, and those that do are advised to look for the best rate of interest and the best deal possible, although some people may be put off from starting their married life in debt.

Whilst those getting married may consider a loan for their big day, recent research has shown that attendees are far less likely to take out a loan in order to pay for expenses at the weddings of their loved ones. In fact, Santander carried out research showing that only 1 percent of Brits would actually take out a personal loan to fund the cost of going to the wedding of a loved one.

Emma Roberts from Santander said: “It’s easy to overlook the cost involved in being a wedding guest but the outlay can be significant, both before and during the big day. The last thing people want to be thinking about when preparing for a loved one’s wedding is the expense involved but costs can quickly mount up.”

Tags: Marriage, wedding, Brits, whilst, debt

Students in line for loan rate shock

It has been claimed that many students that are studying at university in the UK could be set to face a loan rate shock, with interest rates on student loans set to increase as a result of the rise in inflation levels. Students already face a tough time when it comes to being able to afford everything they need whilst studying at university, but if interest rates do increase the situation could get even worse for many of those studying in the UK.

This week it was reported that the level of inflation had increased to 3.4 percent, which is 1.4 percent higher than the government’s target of 2 percent. The increase in inflation was said to have been driven by price increases on things such as petrol, food, and energy compared to last year when prices on these products and services were falling.

The interest rates on student loans are increased by the Student Loans Company each September based on the level of RPI inflation seen in March of that same year. According to reports around three million students as well as graduates could see their rate of interest increase when September comes around. The rate of interest that students are paying on loans can vary based on when the loan was taken out.

In addition to facing increased interest rates on loans students are also up in arms about the lack of clarity over student funding and university fees from the three main political parties in the run up to the general election. Student unions have accused parties of failing to provide clarity over these issues and hiding behind a review that was carried out last year in order to avoid having to go into too much detail about their policies with regards to this matter.

Tags: time, Monetary policy, Student loan, education, main political parties

Recession over for UK

It was announced last week that the UK has finally come out of recession. All of the other major economies had already come out of recession, with the UK left lagging behind but following the release of recent figures the UK has now joined the other countries that have at last shaken off the recession and can now start looking forward. Figures showed that in the final three months of 2009 the UK economy grew by 0.1 percent. Read more

Tags: recessions, Late 2000s recession in Europe, United Kingdom, economics, Economy of the United Kingdom

Tough year ahead for British retailers

Officials from the British Retail Consortium have recently stated that despite the encouraging sales figures seen by retailers over the Christmas and New Year period most retailers would be facing yet another very tough year over the course of 2010. Read more

Tags: Socioeconomics, Deficit, High Street, Retail Consortium, Marks & Spencer, consumer spending, economics

Recreated paperwork could cause problems for borrowers

According to a recent report many lenders tend to misplace or lose loan and credit agreements, and in some cases this paperwork is even disposed of, which means that if and when the banks need to refer to the agreement for any reason they are having to recreate the agreement. Whilst this is not frowned upon there is one problem that has been highlighted, and this is the fact that the recreated document often has discrepancies that leave the consumer even worse off. Read more

Tags: Mortgage loan, High Court, debt, consumer credit lawyer, personal finance

FSA slated over its treatment of lenders

According to recent reports the Council of Mortgage Lenders has accused the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority, of treating banks and other lenders like ‘drug dealers at the school gates’. Read more

Tags: Economy of the United Kingdom, council of mortgage lenders, mortgage, Matthew Wyles, Financial Services Authority, Financial services

No increase in base rate again

For the ninth month in a row the Bank of England has decided to keep the base interest rate on hold, leaving it static at its lowest level in history, which is just 0.5 percent. The decision to keep the base rate so low has come as no surprise to most industry experts given the ongoing problems facing the economy and further threats of job losses. The announcement was made following the December Monetary Policy Committee meeting, which was held last week.

The Bank of England also announced that it would continue with its quantitative easing program to try and revive the economy, having announced last month that the plan was being extended to a total of £200 billion, reflecting an extension of a further £25 billion. Originally the maximum amount earmarked for quantitative easing had been £150 billion. No clue was given as to whether the scheme would be extended further next year.

Many industry experts have slated the quantitative easing programme, stating that it is clear that the plan is not having the desired effect on the economy but the government is continuing to use the programme to try and ease the economic problems. It is thought that when the current programme runs out in January the government will announce whether it plans to extend the scheme further.

In the meantime, an economist from Global Insight, Howard Archer, said that it was likely that the Bank of England would keep the base rate on hold at 0.5 percent until late next year, and even predicted that it could be 2011 before the base rate was increased. He said that fears over unsustainable recovery meant that it was far too soon for the government to think of policy tightening.

Tags: Howard Archer, Global Insight, interest rates, inflation, Monetary policy, base rate, quantitative easing

Interest rates stay the same for eighth month

For the eighth month in a row the base interest rate has remained at its all time low of 0.5 percent. The announcement was made following the monthly Monetary Policy Committee earlier this week. Read more

Tags: time, easing, output, finance, committee, bank, quantitative easing scheme

Victory for victim of repossession

A man who was facing repossession by the provider of secured loans has enjoyed victory recently, after taking court action that resulted in the lender being unable to take repossession action against him for five years and having to cut the amount that he is repaying each month on his loan dramatically. Read more

Tags: Peter Bentley, Blemain secured loans, Blemain, secured loans, missed repayments, Blemain finance

Huge debts owed by retirees

It has been claimed that many retirees in the UK are having to deal with huge amounts of debt with thousands of pounds outstanding on credit cards and loans. Read more

Tags: retirement income, pensioner debt, mortgage debt, non-mortgage related debt, retiree debts, vulnerable position

Citizen’s Advice reports on rising debt issues

Officials from Citizen’s Advice Scotland have recently commented on the rising issues relating to debt amongst consumers that are contacting the service. Read more

Tags: day, debt problems, business, Citizen Advice Bureau, relationship, consumer debt, biggest issue, credit

OFT Slates Loan Company

The UK watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading, has recently slated a well known loans company that specialises in lending to those that have damaged credit and are unable to find traditional finance from regular High Street banks. Read more

Tags: circles, company, credit, anger, office of fair trading, oft

Getting debt advice could become increasingly difficult

It has been suggested in a recent report that getting debt advice could become increasingly difficult in the near future for the many consumers in the UK that are struggling with their debts and looking to seek professional advice and help. Read more

Tags: charity money, Charity Money Advice Trust, debt consolidation, ongoing recession, debt advice

Report claims lenders being less stringent over home loans

Whilst lenders have been exercising increased stringency when it comes to home loans and other types of finance since the onset of the global credit crunch a recent report has suggested that some lenders may be easing up on their lending criteria now. Read more

Tags: industry officials, stringency, 100 percent mortgages, housing, Credit (finance)

Consumer spending hits fresh lows

Recently released figures have shown that consumer spending in the UK has hit fresh lows, with household spending falling to its lowest level since 1980. Read more

Tags: consumer confidence, spending money, National Statistics, office, british economy, Office for National Statistics

Economic recovery depends partly on continued lending

The deputy governor of the Bank of England, Paul Tucker, has recently spoken out about the future of the UK’s economy, and has stated that in his opinion the future of the economy partly depends on continued credit being extended by lenders. Read more

Tags: personal finance, News, availability, economic recovery, Loans, lenders, credit, course

Recession in UK could almost be over

Officials from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research have recently stated that the recession in the UK has almost completed its course, and could soon be over despite concerns from other industry groups and officials that it could last for another one to two years. Read more

Tags: encouraging figures, profile, growth, recessions, recession, private sector

Job loss misery for UK

According to recently released figures the UK has been hardest hit compared to other countries in Europe when it comes to the number of job losses during the first three months of the year. Read more

Tags: Dublin, quarterly, industry, discount, creation, job losses, jobs, Macroeconomics

Rising number of Brits could head to New Zealand

Whilst many Brits may have jetted off to New Zealand for a long vacation to enjoy the beauty, natural surroundings, and sights, it has been revealed that many have made their minds up to go there and not bother coming back. Read more

Tags: super tax, official, year, new zealand, 50p, traditional occupations

Credit crunch results in loss of sleep for many

A recent report has suggested that the effects of the ongoing global credit crunch is resulting in many of us losing sleep through worries over our finances and our futures. Read more

Tags: age, finanicial stress, credit crunch, credit, half

Many will never be free from debt claims CAB

Officials from the charity the Citizen’s Advice Bureau have recently claimed that the typical person that is seeking assistance with their finances and debts has no chance of actually ever getting out of debt during their lifetime, which is a daunting prospect for the many people that have found themselves burdened with high levels of debt. Read more

Tags: finance, development, debt consolidation, chance, year, debt help, personal debt, Debt Relief Order

Debt management firms warned by government

Officials from the government have been warning debt management firms to stop misleading consumers with regards to getting their debts written off. Read more

Tags: justice minister, debt, prosecution, credit card debt, information, vulnerable consumers, final decisions, debt management firms

Increase in jobless figures

According to a recent report there was in increase in the number of jobless people in the UK towards the end of last year, and the rise in the number of unemployed is expected to continue this year. Read more

Tags: increase, Labor, claim, jobless people, variety, unemployment, stability

Progress with PPI not fast enough

Senior officials from the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority, have said that progress is not being made quickly enough in the crackdown on the mis-selling of PPI. Payment Protection Insurance has been at the centre of investigations and controversy for some time after investigations revealed that it was commonly mis-sold by lenders and providers. Read more

Tags: Insurance, consumers, relation, fsa, controversy

£22 million in fines from FSA over 2008

Recently released figures have indicated that over the course of 2008 the Financial Services Authority handed down around £22 million in fines as it continued its crackdown against the mis-selling of payment protection insurance cover and tried to curb rising levels of mortgage related fraud. The UK’s financial regulator has been handing down record fines over the course of the year according to industry officials. Read more

Tags: financial, disappointment, mortgage, Financial services, ongoing problem, time

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