A reader asked: "I have 6 months left on my DMP and I know my credit rating is rubbish. Will my rating improve once this is paid off?" That's a simple question, but it needs rather a long answer. This article is for people who are near the end or who have already completed their Debt Management Plan (DMP). If you are thinking of starting a DMP see How does a DMP affect your credit rating? … [Read more...]
Amigo seeks refuge from refunds in a Scheme (December 2020)
UPDATES In May 2021 the court rejected the Amigo Scheme accepting the arguments of the FCA that it was not the fairest that could be proposed to customers. See Court rejects Amigo Scheme of Arrangement for details. In December 2021 Amigo published the proposals for its Second Scheme. See Amigo's new Scheme for the latest news. Amigo announced on 21 December 2020 that it is seeking … [Read more...]
I’m in a DMP – can I get a mortgage?
A reader asked about applying for a mortgage when she is in a Debt Management Plan (DMP): "I have been in a DMP for 8 years and still have 6 to go as I still owe £16,000. With hindsight, I should have gone bankrupt! My parents will give us a 20% deposit in 2021, but they don't know about my debts so I can't use their money to end the DMP. Will I be able to get a mortgage?" I've written before … [Read more...]
Will you get a Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO)? Does it matter?
Here are some recent questions from people worried about going bankrupt and possible Bankruptcy Restriction Orders (BROs): I gambled a lot but stopped over a year ago. I want to apply for bankruptcy, but will I get a bankruptcy restrictions order? I have credit card debts which I can't pay as I have had to stop work because of a disability. I went bankrupt in 2003 and had a DRO in 2015. Will I … [Read more...]
Barclaycard to hike minimum payments in January 2021 – are you affected?
Barclaycard emailed customers in November 2020 about changes to their credit cards. With the title "Dear [customer name], we're updating your T&Cs ", you may have ignored it. But many people will find their minimum payments are going to be increasing from 26 January 2021. And some of the increases will be very large. This affects Barclaycard holders with Cashback, Freedom, Forward, … [Read more...]
3 month car finance payment breaks because of Coronavirus
In April 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ) set out new rules for car finance lenders on how they should respond to customers who are affected by coronavirus. It followed the general "three-month payment breaks" approach used for other credit from mortgages to credit cards. In July, the FCA these rules were extended to allow for a first or second payment break to be taken up until … [Read more...]
Three mind tricks to help clear debt
Loyalty cards encourage you to come back for your next coffee, pizza or supermarket shop. If you are trying to get rid of problem debt, then you need to beware of the temptation to overspend your budget, well that's obvious! But let's look at why companies use reward programs. Exploring the psychology involved reveals three factors which could also help you to get out of debt. 1) Simple … [Read more...]
Is gambling wrecking your finances?
A gambling habit often starts small, some fun with your mates or a bit of excitement when you are bored at home. But soon you may be spending more than you can afford. Then your cards and overdraft are maxed out. It is so tempting to hope to win back enough to clear the debts and pay your bills. You need money to do this, so you get a loan. But you lose more... Soon the only credit you can … [Read more...]
Barclaycard send letters saying they raised credit limits too high
UPDATE in April 2021, Barclaycard has made another set of cuts to customers' credit limits. In July 2020 Barclaycard sent out letters to some customers saying their credit limit may have been set too high. They say: We've recently reviewed the way we set some of our customers' credit limits and can see that the limit we gave you previously may have been higher than it should have been … [Read more...]
“Will partial settlement make it hard to get a mortgage?”
Ms F asked: "I have been in debt management for five years after my marriage breakdown. After an inheritance, I want to pay off my DMP as it will carry on for years. I could pay in full but my house needs some urgent work and my car is on its last legs. I asked about my credit score if I offer a partial settlement and was told this would show as partially settled on credit score file. Will I … [Read more...]
“Will a credit builder card improve my score?”
A reader asked: I’ve recently paid off my 2 defaulted credit cards and I have been paying into Loqbox for the past 4 months (£70). I got an email from Clearscore saying I can get a Capital One credit card. This is the first time in a long time that I have been offered a credit card because my credit has been so poor but it is slowly improving. Should I apply for this? If I do what is the best … [Read more...]
Mr Lender is reviewing its loans from 2014-20 for affordability
In October 2020, some customers who had payday loans from Mr Lender are getting emails about a review of their loans. Mr Lender is carrying out a review of its payday loans over the last 6 years. It says: Lending practices have evolved over the years. This means that on occasion, a review of previous loans is appropriate to ensure that customers were treated fairly and that we have fulfilled … [Read more...]
Sunny – some loans written off & the rest sold to a debt collector
The administrators say people may be allowed to submit claims in November 2020, if sufficient funds are available in the Administration for a distribution to be made to unsecured creditors. The administrators will also explain then what people who have already submitted claims, or who had claims agreed but not paid when the company went under, need to do. But that "if" clause is important. The … [Read more...]
Board room bust-up at Amigo
March 2020 On 4 March 2020 the founder and majority shareholder of Amigo, James Benamor, resigned from the board which he had only rejoined in December and published a blog saying that the company was: committing slow motion suicide. Benamor said the board needed to choose between challenging recent FOS decisions on affordability complaints in court by Judicial Review or accept that "almost all … [Read more...]
FCA to look into unregulated credit such as Klarna & Wagestream
On 16 September, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a review into unsecured credit market regulation. This will be chaired by Christopher Woolard, the outgoing interim Chief Executive, which suggests how seriously the FCA sees this subject. The FCA says: The Review will concentrate on how regulation can better support a healthy unsecured lending market. It will take into … [Read more...]
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