Background to the Sunny administration Sunny went into administration on 29 June 2020. It was one of the largest UK payday lenders. It joined a long list of lenders who have collapsed in the last nine months: QuickQuid, Moneybox 247, Swift Sterling, Piggybank, Nextcredit, Peachy, Uncle Buck. Sunny’s payday lending model was unusual, often lending very small amounts but very … [Read more...]
Provident closes its doorstep loan operation after 140 years
On 10 May 2021, Provident Financial Group (PFG) announced that it was closing its home credit operation, also known as doorstep lending. Doorstep lending has been at the heart of Provident's business for most of its 140-year history. Agents would visit customers at home, giving loans and collecting weekly repayments. Now Provident says: In light of the changing industry and regulatory … [Read more...]
The debt “Breathing Space” – could it help you?
The Debt Respite Scheme - better known as "the Breathing Space" - went live in May 2021. A Breathing Space is a 60 day period while you get debt advice and find a suitable debt solution. During this 60 days, you get legal protection from your creditors for most debts and it stops interest and charges being added. Sounds good? For a few people this will be a real help, but often there … [Read more...]
How to choose an IVA firm
Which are the best IVA firms to talk to if you are interested in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) and whether it is a good debt solution for you? If you put IVA into Google, how do you decide which of the tempting see how much of your debt you can write off links to click on? Or you could choose the person that cold calls/texts you telling you about a little-known government … [Read more...]
What happens at the end of a DRO?
A Debt Relief Order (DRO) lasts a year. This is sometimes called "the moratorium period". At the end of this year, all the debts that were included in your DRO are wiped out. You aren't contacted at the end of the DRO year There is no "DRO Completion" check made at the end of this year. Not by the Insolvency Service and not by the debt adviser who set up your DRO. You won't be asked to … [Read more...]
StepChange redundancies & the funding of debt advice
On 22 April 2021, StepChange announced that it was proposing to cut its staff by 10%. It has started the process of consultations about 140-170 redundancies. In October 2020, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that 20 million people have seen their financial situation worsen because of Covid-19 and 7.7million people saw it worsen a lot. The FCA estimates 8.5million people are … [Read more...]
How does a payment arrangement work & is one right for you?
A typical payment arrangement is an agreement to repay a credit card, catalogue or loan in affordable monthly amounts. This is also called an arrangement to pay. You can ask a lender for an arrangement to pay, or a debt collector. The key points are: an arrangement is needed if you can't afford the normal debt repayments; do not offer more than you can afford; ask the lender or … [Read more...]
Provident’s Scheme to cap refunds – the background
UPDATE On 4 August 2021 the Scheme was approved in court. See Provident Scheme – 4 million people can now claim a refund to find out how it will work and how to make a claim. This article gives the background to the Scheme and what happened before voting started. In March 2021 Provident Financial Group (PFG) proposed a Scheme of Arrangement to reduce the refunds it has to pay to … [Read more...]
Bankruptcy timeline – what happens & when?
This bankruptcy timeline shows WHAT is likely to happen and WHEN if you go bankrupt in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Some of the times are fixed - the bankruptcy marker is definitely going to drop off your credit file after six years. Others are less definite, but the indications in the timeline here should be right for a large majority of the people who go bankrupt. Take the decision … [Read more...]
No set off in a Scheme/Administration when debt had been sold?
In 2021, the Instant Cash Loans (ICL) Scheme Arrangement, Money Shop, Payday UK and Payday Express customers whose debts were sold to PRAC Financial (PRAC) have not been given set-off between their ICL redress and the loan they still owe. The same situation could occur with other Schemes of Arrangement and other debt collectors. In 2022, it seems to have happened to some Provident loans that … [Read more...]
Barclaycard – more big cuts to credit limits in 2021
In April 2021, Barclaycard is cutting a lot of customers' credit limits. Some of the reductions are dramatic. Here is what one Debt Camel reader said: Today I received a letter from Barclaycard informing me my credit limit is being reduced from £5,000 to £250 in 1 months time. My balance is zero and has been for several months. Not very happy about this as it’s there for emergencies etc and … [Read more...]
“Lower interest if your credit score improves” – a good idea?
Many people are frustrated by only being to access expensive credit. Their financial problems may be years in the past, but they still cannot borrow at a reasonable rate. The FCA's Woolard Review said in January 2021: Products or business models which aim to help consumers bridge from sub-prime to near-prime or mainstream have an important role to play in expanding access to credit, and … [Read more...]
How fast can I improve my credit score for a mortgage?
Here are some questions I have seen recently about how long it takes to improve your credit score for a mortgage: I was foolish with credit cards for years but now I am determined to buy a house - how long will this take? My credit score is dreadful. My new partner has a good credit record and we want to get a mortgage. I have a poor credit rating but I have now inherited a deposit. How … [Read more...]
Will Amigo’s Scheme reject too many claims?
This article relates to Amigo's first Scheme, which was rejected in May 2021. In December, Amigo published details of its proposed new Scheme. See Amigo's new Scheme for the latest news. Surprise, surprise, the new Scheme also gives no details about how many claims may be upheld. In 24 March 2021, Amigo announced some feedback from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on its proposed … [Read more...]
Amigo should end unpaid interest deductions and remove CCJs
This article relates to Amigo’s first Scheme, which was rejected in May 2021. Amigo's second scheme was approved in May 2022. See Amigo's Scheme for details. The good news is that Amigo has agreed to remove CCJs in the second scheme. The bad news is that it has retained the unfair "deductions for unpaid interest" which it is calling "reinstated interest". I asked Amigo about some details … [Read more...]
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