The Power of Generative AI

Generative AI is the big trending topic right now, and understandably is featuring prominently in the news. The popularity of platforms such as Open AI’s...

Soaring bank dividends drive upgrade to UK payouts for 2023, says latest Dividend Monitor

UK dividends are set to rise more quickly than expected as a result of a dramatic recovery in banking payouts, according to the latest quarterly Dividend...

Where next for BNPL?

Simplicity lies at the heart of the appeal of buy now pay later. Why pay in one hit when, by ticking a few boxes, you can have manageable monthly installments...

The New Consumer Duty: Why all the Fuss?

The Financial Conduct Authority’s new “consumer duty” will set higher and clearer standards of consumer protection across financial services requiring...

Allianz Trade appoints new Credit Director

Allianz Trade, the world’s leading trade credit insurer, has appointed Stephen Bramall Credit Director for the UK & Ireland with effect from 01 July....

Bank rate hikes have driven down sales volumes – Here’s the regions that have been hit hardest

The latest research by property purchasing specialist, House Buyer Bureau, has shown that property sales have been falling ever since the Bank of England...

NatWest calls for step change in banks and fintechs’ approach to Open Banking

In a report published today on ‘The (Unmet) Potential of Open Banking’, Oxera identifies the key economic obstacles that are holding back the wider...

Hodge sponsors retired solicitor living a ‘later life less ordinary’ to row 2,800 miles across the Pacific

A retired solicitor from Wales has got the wind in her sails thanks to support from one of her home nation’s leading specialist lenders, Hodge. Elaine...

Lloyds Bank appoints new managing director

Lloyds Bank Corporate & Institutional Banking has appointed Lisa Francis as Managing Director, Institutional Coverage. Lisa will be based in London and...

Leasing.com serves up a treat for Wimbledon!

When it comes to choosing your next vehicle to lease, performance matters. So with Wimbledon on the horizon, Leasing.com – the car leasing comparison...

K3 Capital Group names new Executive Chairman and CEO

Professional services firm, K3 Capital Group (“K3”), is pleased to announce that Chief Executive Officer, John Rigby, will become the Group’s new...

Lloyds Banking Group expands T-levels programme with record intake

Lloyds Banking Group is expanding its support for T-Levels, announcing a record intake of students this year as it looks to boost digital skills and increase...

Nearly 50% of brokers and their clients are not confident in their understanding of impending regulations

New research published today (14 June 2023) from Mercantile Trust, the specialist bridging, buy-to-let and commercial lender, has highlighted a lack of...

‘Renters (Reform) Bill a golden opportunity to improve standards in the PRS ’ say industry bosses

Industry leaders have welcomed moves to ‘professionalise’ the Private Rented Sector through measures like the Renters (Reform) Bill but some have warned...

PIMFA warns of ‘halo effect’ from FCA marketing rules for crypto-assets

PIMFA, the trade association for wealth management, investment services and the personal investment and financial advice industry, has raised concerns about...

Zilch opens its revolutionary ASPN to third parties across the globe – advancing a multi-trillion-dollar payments and advertising marketplace

Zilch, the pioneering direct-to-consumer (D2C) payments technology and advertising platform, is today announcing the official rollout of its...

Mortgage lending and household savings fall in first quarter as affordability pressures increase

UK Finance today releases its latest Household Finance Review Q1 2023, which explores trends in household spending, saving and borrowing. Households have faced...

Together appoints new Head of Intermediary Sales for Commercial Finance

Specialist lender Together has announced the promotion of Michelle Walsh to Head of Intermediary Sales for Commercial Finance. Michelle will be managing the...

Envelop appoints new MD and head of operations

Envelop, one of the UK’s leading packagers and networks, has announced two promotions within its senior management team to fill the newly created positions...

MSP Capital boosts development funding capacity with £100 million facility

Property finance specialist MSP Capital has agreed a £100 million development funding facility with a single investment partner. The fixed-rate lender has...

Studio Retail seperates its financial services division with expansion and growth planned for both companies

On Wednesday 31 May Studio announced that it will officially separate its Retail and Financial Services business, with an expansion plan in place to help...

Just Mortgages helps create more ‘Magic Moments’ with £12,000 charity donation

Leading national brokerage Just Mortgages has announced that £12,000 was raised by its staff for its chosen charity, the Magic Moments Children’s Charity....

Aldermore teams up with former England football Mark Hateley for sixth anniversary of charity five-a-side tournament

Aldermore and former England footballer Mark Hateley have teamed up to support Headway’s annual charity football tournament for the sixth consecutive year....

The Unsung Hero for SMEs: Why Invoice Finance is Crucial in Tough Economic Times

There is something rather troubling at the moment regarding the future funding of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Certain media commentators will...

Atom appoints Lee Rochford as new Chairman

Atom bank has today announced it will appoint Lee Rochford as its new Chairman, subject to full regulatory approval. He will replace Bridget Rosewell when she...

Financial Inclusion Report for Improved Access for d/Deaf Community in Banking & Credit Industries launched by the LSB

A report launched today by the Lending Standards Board (LSB) drives financial inclusion for d/Deaf customers in the banking and credit industries. An estimated...

Hampshire Trust Bank makes key asset finance hire

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has announced the appointment of Mike Kilford as sales manager within its middle ticket specialist equipment asset finance division....

The Creep

The full impact of the cost-of-living crisis is yet to be seen, but support and intervention should not wait until despair strikes. Anna Roughley of the LSB...

UK economy falls 0.3% in March, below expectations

GDP fell 0.3% in March, but grew by 0.1% for the first three months of the year. U.K. services sector led the decline, down 0.5%. A very strong production...

Businesses in the UK lost more than £2.1 billion in the past year to fraud

Money.co.uk business insurance experts have released their first Business Fraud report, which uncovers that in the past year the average losses for UK...

Together and Goodman Corporate Finance combine to fund desperate customer fast

Specialist lender Together has completed on a short term property transaction at rapid pace from initial application to funds drawn. The case was brought to...

Specialist lender Together hires property expert as Sales Performance Director

Cheadle-based finance company Together has appointed a property expert to drive its commercial sales strategy as it continues to grow its £6bn loan book....

Cynergy Bank appoints Claire Head as Chief People & Culture Officer

Cynergy Bank today announces the appointment of Claire Head as Chief People & Culture Officer. Claire brings significant experience in business change and...

Bank CEO commits to reducing ‘stress and anxiety’ for SMEs

A specialist business bank is extending its support to businesses looking for longer-term financial stability with the launch of a ‘limited edition’...

Build-to-rent sector stalling as completions slump

Research from property developer, Stripe Property Group, reveals that the number of build-to-rent completions has fallen by -56% in the past year, a decline...

Webio announces non-executive director appointment

Dublin, Ireland – Webio, a leading provider of conversational AI solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Gagie to its board as a...

Shareholders Call on Bank of America to Disclose a Climate Transition Plan

Berkleley, USA – Today, Bank of America released preliminary vote results from its annual general meeting where 28.5% of shareholders voted in favor of a...

Money and mental health organisations combine to back more support for people in difficulty

Money and mental health organisations across the UK are backing a new guide that shows creditors how to offer more support to customers in difficulty....

74% of agents in the dark about the Economic Crime Levy

Market analysis from Credas Technologies, the leading identity verification checks provider, has revealed that the vast majority of estate agents are in the...

UK Credit Card Customers Showing Signs of Financial Stress

New analysis of UK credit card activity from FICO has revealed worrying payment patterns amongst customers who have held their cards for between one and five...

Aidene Walsh’s speech on innovation

This is the text of the speech as drafted and may differ from the delivered version. This speech was delivered by our chair, Aidene Walsh at the Innovate...

Just Mortgages appoints new sales manager for growing self-employed division

National brokerage Just Mortgages has appointed Andy Cuthbert to the role of sales manager for the Midlands, to support the continued growth of its...

Economy hamstrung by sluggish growth

Commenting on news that the UK economy grew by less than 0.1 per cent in February, IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop said: “The UK economy is still on track...

UK Economy stalls in February

GDP flat in February. January GDP growth revised up to 0.4%. UK services sector contracted by 0.1% due to teachers strikes. Construction grew by 2.4%....

Fairness and inclusion: driving fair customer outcomes

Outgoing Chair Chris Pond shares his reflections on his time at the Lending Standards Board (LSB) and offers up some thoughts, and predictions, for the future....

Lending Standards Board welcomes new Chair

The Lending Standards Board (LSB) formally welcomes its new Chair, Ken Scott, who took up his role with effect from 1 April 2023. Mr Scott’s extensive...

Europa Factor and Credit Factor partner with QUALCO to transform their credit and collections management operations

Rome, Italy — With over 22 years of experience as an NPL purchaser and servicer, 18 operating hubs and 2000 employees, Europa Factor is a major player in...

How will you know when your clients are sick as a parrot?

Comparing the running of a business with managing a football team is a well-rehearsed analogy, best articulated by arguably the greatest of them all, Sir Alex...

Recognise Bank announces major growth plans in its mission to revolutionise SME banking in the UK

Digital SME lender and savings provider, Recognise Bank, has announced ambitious growth plans following a successful £25m cash raise completed earlier this...

Optimum Finance expand Account Executive Team with experienced new client services hire

Bristol-based invoice finance provider Optimum Finance has appointed David Tugwell as an Account Executive to support its lead generation and new business...

Appointment of Ian Pontefract as Chairman

Skarbek Associates, the strategy implementation consultancy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Pontefract as its new Chairman. Ian joins Skarbek...

Settld crowned winner of Lloyds Banking Group ‘Grow with Purpose’ contest

Award-winning bereavement admin service Settld has won high praise from some of the UK’s most senior banking executives following a Dragon’s Den-style...

Spring budget: Quantum and AI support will strengthen UK as a hub for innovation – comments

Following the Spring Budget yesterday, Emil Gigov, partner at Albion Capital, believes the Chancellor’s new support for the fintech and Quantum sectors will...

United Trust Bank delivers record £60.2m Profit before tax, driven by £1.9bn of new lending in 2022

United Trust Bank (UTB) increased Profit before tax by 35% in 2022 to £60.2m, driven by record new lending of over £1.9bn for the year. Despite various...

‘Silicon Valley Bank’s Incompetence is a Policy Failure Impacting Regular Americans’

Washington, DC – Last Friday, the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), known for dealing with some of Silicon Valley’s biggest venture capitalists and startups,...

Fiona Hoyle makes the PowerList of Inspirational Women in Trade Associations

Fiona Hoyle, Director of Consumer & Mortgage Finance & Inclusion at the FLA has made the PowerList of Inspirational Women in Trade Associations....

Webio Brings New Conversational Self-Service Portal to the Credit Industry

Webio, a leader in Conversational AI and digital engagement in the credit, collections, and payments industry, has launched its Self-Service Studio, the first...

Survey findings: firms ignore staff ideas when making important decisions

Professional services firms are making important decisions without a detailed understanding of their clients’ needs and requirements, according to the...

New NatWest and NAB open banking white paper calls for reform amid transition to smart data

NatWest and NAB have published a jointly authored white paper exploring the common threads that bind both Australia’s Consumer Data Right (CDR) and the...

SMEs need a new Green Super-Deduction to help Net Zero transition

Eight leading trade associations have written to the Chancellor recommending that a new Green Super-Deduction replaces the existing programme when it comes to...

Why SMEs won’t ditch Green intentions despite ongoing financial uncertainty

Small and medium sized businesses (‘SMEs’) face an unclear future. Hit with high interest rates, supply chain issues, increases in wages and a worsening...

Institute welcomes UK regulator’s emphasis on education and training issues around ESG

The Chartered Banker Institute (the Institute) is delighted to see education and training issues moving up the regulatory agenda in the UK, as highlighted in a...

Adopting a positive security culture and encouraging better employee awareness

Security failures happen. Unfortunately, in today’s always-on, highly digitised world, it is inevitable and a question of not if but when. We only need look...

Hampshire Trust Bank cuts buy-to-let 5-year fixed rates by up to 130 basis points

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has made significant enhancements to its specialist buy-to-let mortgage offering, with significantly reduced fixed rates and...

FLA appoints new Board Director

The Finance & Leasing Association has appointed Helen Lumb, Chief Finance Officer at Shire Leasing, to the FLA Board. Stephen Haddrill, Director General of...

Asset based lending in a volatile world

In an uncertain world, asset-based lending can emerge as a dependable strategy for attractive returns having demonstrated its resilience through various...

Almost 20 million adults never speak about mental health – and it’s set to get worse due to the cost-of-living crisis

More than one in three UK adults surveyed (36 per cent) never make space in their day or the time to speak about their mental health – the equivalent of 19.6...

Exporting in 2023 – ParcelHero’s Top 5 dos and don’ts for selling overseas post-Brexit

The international delivery expert ParcelHero has compiled a list of its Top 5 opportunities and pitfalls for exporters in 2023. ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer...

23 million adults apply or consider applying for financial services products every year

New research from Freedom Finance, one of the UK’s leading digital lending marketplaces, reveals the scale of demand for financial services products as more...

Listen, Act, Repeat – how professional services businesses will survive and thrive

Rather than feedback coming patchily from a handful of partners, it was now also being provided by salespeople and business development teams who were asking...

As You Sow Files Resolutions With 5 Largest U.S. Banks Seeking Transition Planning to Meet Net-Zero Targets

Berkleley, CA – Shareholder representative As You Sow filed resolutions asking five of the largest U.S. banks — Bank of America, Goldman Sachs,...

Six lessons the UK can learn from Denmark’s path to digitisation

Denmark began paving the way to becoming one of the top digitised governments back in the 1970s, following an economic crisis that saw the country nearly...

Channel Capital appoints Bhoomika Kesaria as Head of Investor Relations

Channel Capital Advisors LLP (Channel) has appointed Bhoomika Kesaria as its new head of investor relations. Channel is an FCA-regulated alternative investment...

Beyond COP15: Securing business accountability on biodiversity

Amsterdam – The adoption of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, signed at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) last month, is without...

Lender involvement is vital for Net Zero

Commenting on the publication of the Net Zero Review, Stephen Haddrill, Director General of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), said: “We have said...

UK Economy may narrowly avoid recession in 2022 as growth beats expectations

GDP growth of 0.1% in November. This follows GDP growth of 0.5% in October. World Cup gives a boost to consumer spending. A strong services sector has helped...

Got the January Blues? Here are 5 expert tips to remotivate yourself in your career

Going back to work in the new year can be met with a certain level of expectation, with the career goals refreshed and everyone firmly in the new year, new me...

Alibaba Unveils Top Technology Trend Forecasting for 2023

Alibaba DAMO Academy (“DAMO”), the global research initiative by Alibaba Group, has shared its annual forecasting of the leading technology trends that...

Mortgage lending up in 2022, but have we reached the peak?

The latest mortgage market analysis by specialist property lending experts, Octane Capital, estimates that £77.5bn in residential loans was lent to...

Russia sanctions regime now bans trust services

The Government’s financial sanctions regime now includes a ban on providing trust services to those connected with Russia. The UK regime is operated by the...

November retail figures – Consumers still spending, for now

The Office for National Statistics has reported retail sales figures in Great Britain for November: Retail sales volumes are estimated to have fallen by 0.4%...

Six things to consider when joining a network

When researching which to join it is very easy to have tunnel vision and just collect the information on what is most important to you. However, there are...

Consumer car finance new business volumes grew by 4% in October 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes grew in October 2022 by 4%...

Consumer finance new business grew by 7% in October 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew by 7% in October 2022 compared with the...

Asset finance new business grew by 17% in October 2022

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew...

Survey reveals the UK’s money-laundering hotspots

If you’re a Russian kleptocrat who wants to launder money through the UK to help finance Putin’s war in Ukraine, do it in Northern Ireland. New data has...

SmartSearch appoints new VP of professional services sales

SmartSearch, the provider of the UK’s leading digital compliance solution for anti-money laundering (AML) has promoted Tom Dockerty to the position of vice...

New data from Refuge warns that cost of living crisis is forcing survivors of domestic abuse to stay with abusive partners

A week away from the Chancellor’s highly anticipated fiscal statement, expected on the 17th November, Refuge, the country’s largest single provider of...

London Wall Lending & MCR Property group launch charitable project with £160k of donations

London Wall Lending has announced its charitable partnership with MCR Property Group which includes a £160,000 donation to kick off the pairs’ collaborative...

Lack of trust in tech leaves firms open to money laundering

A “worrying” mistrust in technology is making some regulated firms vulnerable to financial crime, an anti-money laundering expert has warned. Multi-sector...

Regulated firms are learning the compliance lesson

The new round of fines dished out to 68 estate agents by HMRC for breaches of anti-money laundering rules might make it appear that many regulated firms are...

Comment: “Gatehouse fine is a reminder that breaching rules unintentionally is not a defence

“This is a significant ruling by the FCA. Despite acknowledging that the bank’s exposure to risk was not deliberate, the regulator still imposed a...

Shocking report reveals huge money-laundering loophole

An anti-money laundering expert is backing calls for reform of the UK’s company registration system after a shocking report this week revealed that thousands...

SmartSearch announces appointment of new VP of enterprise sales

SmartSearch, the leading UK provider of anti-money laundering (AML) software has appointed Zowie Lees-Howell as their new vice president of enterprise sales....

Five essential skills to help you find a new job

Job seekers have been given the same list of critical skills to brush up on for decades – things like careful follow-up, attention to grammar and...

Regulated firms giving a “green light” to Russians

Almost one in five (17 per cent) regulated firms admit to not checking new customers against sanctions or Politically Exposed Person (PEP) lists, a new survey...

SmartSearch comments on arrest of Europe’s biggest money launderer

As Europol announce the arrest of one of Europe’s biggest money launderers, we have a comment from Martin Cheek, managing director of SmartSearch, a leading...

Regulated firms waste hours on manual identity checks

Regulated firms using manual methods of verification to onboard new individual customers are wasting hours of business time in the process, new data shows. And...

Regulated firms running gauntlet with hard copy identification

Almost two thirds of regulated firms believe hard copy documents provide reassurance a customer is genuine, latest anti-money laundering data has revealed....

Regulated firms planning a big technology switch

More than 80 per cent of regulated firms in the legal, property and finance and banking sectors are considering a switch to electronic verification of their...

Partnership will protect boat sales from money launderers

Boat sales in the UK will be protected from money-laundering criminals after a major technology deal has been secured for brokers and agents. The Association...

SmartSearch technology keeps crypto car sales safe

Europe’s biggest cryptocurrency automotive marketplace has combined with the UK’s leading anti-money laundering (AML) software provider to offer the...

Finance and banking firms failing to detect criminal “ghosts”

Almost half (45 per cent) of finance and banking firms are failing to carry out crucial “ghost-buster” checks on new business clients, newly released data...

Awards applications are open

Applications for the Credit Excellence Award have been opened, as the industry looks to a more diverse future. This year, the awards scheme and virtal ceremony...

How buy now, pay later is growing the credit market

Examining the growth in buy now, pay later and how this type of point-of-sale finance is reshaping the credit ecosystem Satrajit “Satty” Saha CEO of...

Lifting the lid

Great customer service pays, but are banks making the most of omni-channel technology to deliver it? James O’Hare Managing director, Link UK...

It’s CCR’s Birthday!

CCR is 17 years old today. So that makes 17 years of bringing the credit, collections, and enforcement profession the very best in news, information, analysis,...

Money-laundering loopholes missed by property firms

Up to 70 per cent of property firms surveyed for an anti-money laundering campaign have not changed their approach to onboarding new customers since sanctions...

Money-laundering loopholes missed by financial firms

More than a third (34 per cent) of finance and banking firms surveyed for an anti-money laundering campaign have not changed their approach to onboarding new...

Stagflation fears: UK businesses brace for jump in late payments during second half of 2022

Intrum’s annual European Payment Report (EPR)*, a survey of 11,000 companies across 29 European countries, shows that businesses are expecting late payments...

Webio secures $4m to scale Conversational AI in the collections and payments industry

Irish start-up Webio, a leader in Conversational AI in the credit, collections and payments industry, has today announced a series A funding round led by Finch...

‘A ticking time bomb’

As economic indicators falter, the UK is facing a significant rise in debt, and the collections industry needs to react with the best technology James...

Deploying digital starts with great conversational design

The industry needs to consider how to build true digital customer conversations, rather than simply having different interactions By Mark Oppermann, Head of...

Leading AML firm appoints new COO

Leading anti-money laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has appointed Collette Allen as chief operating officer. Collette’s career at SmartSearch is an...

Prospect of further sanctions against Russia underlines importance of ongoing client monitoring

The prospect of further sanctions being imposed on Russia in addition to those recently brought in by the UK, the US and the EU has underlined the importance...

DAPS UK signs up for SmartSearch verification

National property sales and lettings company DAPS UK has partnered with leading anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch. The company, which will shortly...

SmartSearch launches high-risk country report

A new high-risk country report service has been launched by leading anti-money laundering specialist, SmartSearch in response to the introduction of sanctions...

Bounce Back Loan fraud could have been avoided

Digital fraud checks could have significantly reduced the £11.8 billion pounds now estimated to have been lost by the government to fraudulent and erroneous...

Putin, national economic security and the end of globalisation as we knew it

In 2006 J.K. Gibson-Graham published a highly influential book entitled The End of Capitalism (As We Knew It). This book envisioned alternative economies, but...

Paradigm launch fundraising drive to support Ukraine Crisis Appeal with promise to match donations

Paradigm, the mortgage, protection and compliance services proposition, has launched an emergency fundraising drive to support the Ukraine Crisis Appeal run by...

Opportunities for landlords and EPC changes

Seven out of 10 buy-to-let landlords (70%) are aware of government proposals that all rental properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)...

Sanctions on Russia – monitoring newly sanctioned people and entities – Comment

Following the announcement by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, that Britain will implement the “largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that...

New whitepaper calls for effective AML due diligence

Industry leading anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has launched a whitepaper analysing due diligence undertaken by financial services firms when...

It’s a hat-trick of Gold Awards for Lantern

Lantern, one of the UK’s market leading debt purchase and recovery companies focusing particularly on vulnerability, has received its third consecutive...

Record growth at anti-money laundering firm SmartSearch

Specialist anti-money laundering firm SmartSearch has reported record annual growth. The rapid expansion has been driven by a surge in demand for its...

Comment: “impossible to comprehend” lack of Covid loan due diligence

Following the resignation of Conservative minister Lord Agnew, who has accused the Treasury of having “little interest in the consequences of fraud to...

Regulated firms unaware of digital options

New research from anti-money laundering (AML) specialist SmartSearch has found just under a third (28%) ofregulated businesses are unaware of digital AML...

Peter Wallwork FCICM appointed Non-Executive Director at Arvato Financial Solutions in the UK

Arvato Financial Solutions are delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Wallwork FCICM as Non-Executive Director. Over the last twenty years, Peter has...

FICO UK Credit Market Report November 2021: Black Friday and Christmas Boost Spend to Over Two-Year High as Payments Start to Drop

Global analytics software provider FICO today released its analysis of UK card trends for November 2021. With average spend and cash usage rising, the data was...

HighRadius Expands Partnership with Genpact to Deliver Digital Transformation Outcomes

Genpact (NYSE: G), a global professional services firm focused on delivering digital transformation, and HighRadius, the Artificial Intelligence-powered Order...

‘Segmentation is at the heart of O2C success’

Segmentation can play a major part in the future of commercial order-to-cash according to a leading industry analyst. Speaking at a virtual round-table debate...

SmartSearch announces appointment of new CEO

SmartSearch, the leading anti-money laundering specialist, today announces the appointment of Guy Harrison as CEO.  Guy will drive SmartSearch’s strategic...

SmartSearch announced as preferred AML supplier for Alto

SmartSearch, the leading anti-money laundering specialist, is providing its industry leading customer verificationsystem to Alto, the leading cloud-based...

Anti-money laundering specialist welcomes Chatham House report highlighting UK weaknesses in tackling organised crime

The latest report from the Chatham House think tank highlighting the need for the UK government to address systemic weaknesses in tackling organised crime has...

LPA identity fraud highlights need for vigilance by conveyancers

An identity fraud in which lasting power of attorney was used in an attempt to steal a flat has highlighted the pressure on conveyancers to perform effective...

Ecospend appoints Sarah Lambert as Head of Solutions

Ecospend, a leading UK provider of Open Banking APIs, has today announced the appointment of Sarah Lambert as Head of Solutions. Sarah will be working with the...

Research reveals businesses are wasting hours checking documents

New research from anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has found regulated businesses are wasting hours processing physical documents for ID checks....

Registry Trust and TrustOnline offer an ‘early warning sign’

Registry Trust, the non-profit organisation which maintains the Register of Judgments, Orders, and Fines for the UK and Ireland and runs the website...

England and Wales Q3 2021 Statistics

County Court Judgments (CCJs) against businesses in England and Wales rose by 70 percent in Q3 2021, compared to the same quarter in 2020, according to figures...

AML specialists analyse the common ways to launder money and how to spot them

Money laundering costs the British economy roughly £37 billion each year1 and is a significant issue across the world. Its prevalence is largely due to the...

Pandora Papers leak shines spotlight on property markets AML weaknesses

Following the Pandora Papers leak, and the BBC uncovering that more than 1,500 UK properties have been bought using offshore firms, John Dobson, CEO of...

Intrum returns to DCA market in the UK

Credit management group Intrum has returned to the contingency collections market in the UK. The company now offers a full UK debt collection service, allowing...

SmartSearch appoints new general counsel

Leading UK anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has appointed a new in-house general counsel to provide expert guidance on legal issues affecting the...

SmartSearch launches new weapon in fight against global money laundering

Leading UK anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has launched a new weapon in the ongoing fight against dirty cash being cleaned around the world...

Inclusion In Credit set to share knowledge and best practice

CCR and Arvato Financial Solutions are set to carry out in-depth research and discussion into the reality of inclusion in the credit, collections, and...

HighRadius Named to 2021 Forbes Cloud 100 List for the Second Straight Year

HighRadius, the Artificial Intelligence-powered Order to Cash and Treasury Management software leader, has been named to the Forbes 2021 Cloud 100, the...

SmartSearch calls on UK firms to scrap manual ID checks

Leading UK RegTech specialist SmartSearch has launched a new Electronic Verification Uncovered campaign, to raise awareness of the dangers of relying on...

SmartSearch achieves record H1

Leading anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has achieved its best ever first half year results in 2021, following a surge in demand for its online ID...

Webio launches Propensity Studio, the Game Changer in Digital Debt Collections

New AI-powered credit and collections offering from Webio optimises customer engagement using AI and automation and enables companies to manage debt collection...

SmartSearch calls on UK businesses to work with AMLA

Leading UK RegTech specialist SmartSearch has warned the UK could be left behind in the fight against money laundering and financial fraud, if it fails to...

SmartSearch warns against rushing AML to beat SDLT

Leading UK RegTech specialist SmartSearch has warned against the dangers of rushing through anti-money laundering checks, in a bid to beat the upcoming stamp...

AML and identity checks: Lessons learned from the NatWest case

NatWest’s landmark money-laundering case has dealt a huge blow to consumer trust in online banking; an industry that more than three quarters (76%) of UK...

SmartSearch warns against risk of GDPR breaches

Leading anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has warned many businesses may be at risk of being in breach of GDPR rules, due to a lack of secure data...

EQ launches virtual thought-leadership conference

EQ Credit Services, the consumer credit technology and outsourced services provider, is gathering industry experts from the financial services, strategic and...

SmartSearch urges agents to ‘ditch documents’ to be compliant

Leading anti-money laundering specialist SmartSearch has warned property agents are in serious danger of non-compliance with new regulations, unless they ditch...

Momentum builds to industry awards

Professionals from across the industry have begun to claim their packs to enter this year’s Credit Excellence Awards, in association with Esendex. Packs are...

Comment: “Wholesale shift to digital solutions needed” to prevent £200m of property fraud

Following the publication of a report by the Solicitors Regulation Authority board which says suspicious activity worth £200m was reported to NCA last year,...

HighRadius Raises $300M Series C at $3.1 Billion Valuation to Accelerate Growth in Order-to-Cash and Treasury Markets

HighRadius, the Artificial Intelligence-powered Order-to-Cash, and Treasury Management software leader, has raised $300 million in a Series C round at a...

Time for “words to become actions” in AML

Following the head of the Financial Action Task Force claiming businesses need to change from ticking boxes for compliance’s sake, to risk-based compliance,...

Three quarters of Brits do not trust online checks when buying a property

Despite heavy Covid restrictions forcing a lot of sectors to trade virtually, estate agents in the UK have been able to safely conduct in-person house...

HighRadius Partners with Sage To Provide End-to-End Accounts Receivable Automation

HighRadius, a fintech enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company specializing in automating the order-to-cash and treasury management processes, today...

SmartSearch makes FT list of fast-growing European firms

Leading anti-money-laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has made the latest Financial Times’ annual list of the fastest-growing European companies for the third...

SmartSearch comment – New Conveyancing Task Force should look to digital onboarding

Commenting on the launch of the new Conveyancing Task Force, John Dobson, CEO at SmartSearch, said: “The launch of this new task force for the conveyancing...

Debate and research project announced

CCRMagazine and HighRadius are set to produce a new virtual-round-table debate looking at the challenges facing professionals working in the order-to-cash...

SmartSearch reveals strongest financial results from 2020

SmartSearch, the UK’s leading anti-money laundering (AML) solution provider, has revealed 2020 was the most successful year in the company’s history, with...

SmartSearch unveils Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) service to cut through corporate fog

Leading anti-money laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch, has launched a new service to help businesses identify the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) of large...

HighRadius named a leader in IDC MarketScape for accounts receivable automation software second time in a row

HighRadius, a fintech enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company specializing in automating the order to cash and treasury management processes, today...

We’ve now left the EU, but have you read the small print?

Leading UK anti-money laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch is warning businesses against ignoring European Union money laundering directives, following the UK’s...

CCR and HighRadius agree partnership

CCR and HighRadius have announced a major new partnership that will aim to bring knowledge and discussion to the industry. The two have agreed to partner to...

AML experts SmartSearch warn firms in property sector of increased threat of fraud in lockdown

Commenting on the latest lockdown measures, John Dobson, CEO at AML specialists SmartSearch, said: “Although in some ways it feels a lot like March 2020 all...

SmartSearch launches most robust KYB checks on the market

Leading UK anti-money laundering (AML) and ID verification firm SmartSearch is launching the most comprehensive business-owner verification solution on the...

SmartSearch continues growth with three senior appointments

Leading UK anti-money laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch expanded its senior team with three new appointments in November. The recruitment reflects the...

SmartSearch makes senior appointment to drive global growth

Leading UK anti-money laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has bolstered its global growth ambitions with the appointment of an international development...

Automation in AML: Almost 80% of businesses now using electronic checks, but trust remains low

One in five (21%) business decision-makers say they do not trust any of their anti-money laundering (AML) checks to be automated, despite this year’s...

Comment: HMRC guidance step in the right direction for property AML

Commenting on HMRC guidance to estate and lettings agencies on their obligations regarding money laundering issues, Martin Cheek managing director at AML...

AML experts SmartSearch comment on FinCEN leak – ‘A betrayal that cannot go unpunished’

Responding to the FinCEN files revelations, John Dobson CEO at AML experts SmartSearch said: “This is nothing short of a betrayal for all those thousands of...

FCA must flex its muscle as threat of financial crime rises – SmartSearch

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed that so far in 2020 no criminal prosecutions under the current anti-money laundering legislation have been...

SmartSearch named one of UK’s top tech firms for second year running

Pioneering anti-money-laundering firm SmartSearch has been named in the Sunday Times Sage ‘Tech Track 100’ for a second successive year. The list,...

EQ launches Mortgage Services

EQ Credit Services, part of the international technology-led services and payments specialist EQ (Equiniti Group plc), is pleased to announce the launch of...

Just Appoints Emma Gervasio To Assist With Virtual Enforcement

Emma Gervasio has been appointed by Just to assist in the final developments of its virtual enforcement solution. Emma has previously worked with Her...

AML specialist SmartSearch breaks into US market

Leading UK anti-money-laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch is today launching operations in the USA. Expansion into the US market follows a period of sustained...

Just expands its board of directors with another senior appointment with extensive experience of debt market integration

Just, the enforcement market integrator, has appointed Victoria Oliver as its Director of Client Development to assist in the delivery of its strategy to...

Industry’s first-ever virtual enforcement solution launched. Could this be the future of enforcement?

Just has spent its time during lockdown engaging with a broad range of stakeholders across the industry to design, build and launch the industry’s first-ever...

Scott and Mears Credit Services appoint Zakia Khalid as In-House Legal Counsel

The long established and highly regarded debt collection company, Scott and Mears Credit Services Limited who is based in Southend-On-Sea is delighted to...

Two thirds of business owners over 55 plan to ‘never stop’ working

Legal retirement age is just a number for most business owners and entrepreneurs, particularly those closest to it, according to new research from Hitachi...

Only 50% of employees received appraisals since lockdown started

A survey of 1,000 employees commissioned by StaffCircle, in conjunction with OnePoll, revealed that only half of employees appraisals took place since lockdown...

Jobs figures should set alarm bells ringing

Scotland’s unemployment rate is now the highest among all the UK nations, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. Unemployment...

Increased debt advice funding will be welcome news for many hard-pressed households

“The announcement of an extra £14.2m of debt advice funding via the FCA levy, together with an additional £20.6m of central government funding and £3m...

Extra £38m for debt support in England in the wake of coronavirus

An additional £37.8 million to fund the provision of debt advice and other support for people suffering money difficulties in the wake of the coronavirus...

Thailand Country Report published by Atradius

Trade credit insurer Atradius has published a new country report on Thailand. The new report forecasts a sharp economic slowdown for Thailand in 2020 with GDP...

Hanley Economic BS adds to senior leadership team and strengthens its board

Hanley Economic Building Society has made two additions to its senior leadership team and moved to strengthen its board. The society has appointed Jenny Jones...

OECD GDP falls by 1.8% in the first quarter of 2020

Following the introduction of COVID-19 containment measures across the world, real gross domestic product (GDP) in the OECD area fell by 1.8% in the first...

‘GDP@Risk’ from coronavirus ranges from $3.3 trillion to $82 trillion over the next five years

The GDP@Risk over the next five years from the coronavirus pandemic could range from an optimistic loss of $3.3 trillion (0.65 per cent of five-year GDP) under...

Covid-19 cash flow – 6 key dates for businesses over the next 12 months

As lockdown measures begin to ease – some businesses have started up again already, and others will follow suit over the next few weeks – Mark Neath,...

One in three closed Scottish businesses fear they’re shut for good

A third of Scottish business owners who shut down operations during the coronavirus outbreak fear their firm may never re-open, according to a major new survey...

How to spot tell-tale signs of money laundering within your business

Money laundering is a big issue in the business world and accounts for two to five per cent of global GDP, with nearly £1.6 trillion illegally laundered...

Extinction Event: March Retail Sales Figures Confirm Worst Predictions for High Street

Shoppers may never return to the High Street after lockdown, warns the home delivery expert ParcelHero, as March ONS retail sales results show e-commerce sales...

Finding calm in the chaos – how to futureproof your sales model

As we adjust to our new normal, business owners are immerging with a new sense of determination. Entrepreneurial spirit is flourishing, and resilient...

Queries around remote onboarding for new hires reach an all-time high

Remote onboarding, video interviews, and contract hires were the top three queries received by global recruiter Robert Walters in Q1. Whilst video interviews...

Borrowing could hit £300 billion this year as costs of coronavirus continue to rise

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, it has been clear that it will have a huge economic and fiscal impact. It was right that the Government put public...

StepChange welcomes FCA forbearance guidance on motor finance and payday loans

StepChange Debt charity welcomes the Financial Conduct Authority’s draft new guidance on how coronavirus-related forbearance for affected customers should be...

The Nottingham keeps branches open and triples charitable donations

As the impact of Coronavirus is felt across the UK, Nottingham Building Society has provided information on how it’s supporting members and doing the right...

Significant fall in mortgage product numbers as COVID-19 hits lenders

Mortgage insurer, AmTrust’s, latest Mortgage Loan to Value (LTV) Tracker has today revealed a significant drop in the number of products available to...

What we really need is a centralised fiscal response and a single EU debt instrument issue

One of the reasons the market is “cheering” any hint of a potential end to the lockdown is the hope of limiting the damage to the real economy caused by...

EU to retaliate: last thing we need now is the EU-US trade war

Yesterday, the European Commission announced the European Union will impose tariffs on US exports of lighters, furniture coatings and playing cards. “The EU...

OECD updates G20 summit on outlook for global economy

Increasingly stringent containment measures needed to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) will necessarily lead to significant short-term declines in...

Small businesses facing mental health crisis as Coronavirus piles on the woes

UK small business’ previous positivity about their future performance is being overshadowed by stress, anxiety and sleepless nights over access to finance...

Coronavirus lockdown: 10 steps SMEs can take to still be in be in business this time next year

The small business champion ParcelHero says the new Government lockdown doesn’t have to spell the end for SME businesses. It has issued a ten-step guide to...

Just suspends enforcement due to coronavirus epidemic

Since my last letter to stakeholders the government have announced further measures to combat the spread of the virus, namely the decision to close schools, to...

Five tips for businesses to maximise efficiency during crisis

Whenever there’s a crisis, as humans, we tend to lose control just a little bit. But when it comes to business, leaders must work to minimise the disruption...

Self-isolation: How to handle your mental health when dealing with COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread at a rapid pace, people of the UK are strongly advised to self-isolate between seven and fourteen days when...

What Lessons Can Business Learn From The Six Nations Rugby Tournament?

People in businesses can be roughly divided into two types – those who are very process driven and those who rely on their judgement. If you have a team made...

Half of employers not geared up for remote ‘smart’ working, amid coronavirus fears

48% of businesses in the UK are not in any way set-up to be able to accommodate workers who may need to self-isolate – should they display any symptoms of a...

SmartSearch rises in FT list of fast-growing European firms

Yorkshire-based anti-money-laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch has moved up more than 300 places in the Financial Times’ annual list of the fastest-growing...

Ex-TDX director appointed by Just

Nick Georgiades who joined the Just parent company Arum in 2019 has been appointed as the Managing Director of its subsidiary, six months after its launch in...

Spread of Coronavirus reveals vulnerabilities and excessive risk in the global economy

Right now, we are seeing some very worrying trends in global financial markets, and I am truly concerned about where we are heading. The spread of coronavirus...

UK Research: Unsecured Borrowers Favour Banks and Brands Amid Brexit Limbo

Against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, UK borrowers turned to established and familiar lenders in 2019, according to a new research report*...

Access to Banking Standard summary report published by the Lending Standards Board

The Access to Banking Standard aims to help minimise the impact of bank branch closures on customers and local communities. It is designed to ensure that...

VAT Support Group is launched with MoJ guidance inbound

VAT Support Group is launched to help High Court enforcement businesses and creditors deal with the forthcoming Ministry of Justice (MoJ) guidance on charging...

Second charge mortgage new business volumes up by 19% in 2019

Commenting on the full year 2019 new business figures for the second charge mortgage market, Fiona Hoyle, Head of Consumer and Mortgage Finance at the Finance...

Salary growth in charity finance sector halves since 2018

Growth in average salaries for finance professionals within the UK charity sector dipped from 6 per cent in 2018 to 3.24 per cent in 2019. At the same time,...

Hope Capital completes complex £4m deal on country house

Hope Capital has started the year with a bang with a complex £4million deal. Hope Capital completed the £4 million loan on a magnificent multi-million pound...

Five top tips for business owners who want to save money and improve their green credentials

For business owners, managing your energy consumption is no longer just about keeping tabs on your outgoings – it’s a prerequisite for doing business....

The failing high street: top four lessons for small businesses

Profit warnings have become commonplace in the national media, with once-booming businesses such as Mothercare, Beales and Patisserie Valerie revealing that...

Top Tech Trends in Contact Centres

The contact centre industry is rapidly changing thanks to technological innovations, changes in employee working habits and expanding customer expectations...

Finance market needs to take immediate action as UK Government enshrines 5th Money Laundering Directive into UK law

The government has introduced the Fifth EU Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) into UK law as of last Friday 20th December. It was introduced as part of ‘The...

5MLD: SmartSearch’s guide to Top 5 changes for business

With new European regulations set to be implemented in the New Year, anti-money-laundering specialists SmartSearch have produced a guide to the top five...

Brits ready to see the light on retina recognition

More than six in ten Brits (62%)* would be happy to try retina recognition identification, according to new research from Equifax, the business and consumer...

Five top tips on surviving the office Christmas party

Christmas is a time we tend to indulge. It’s not uncommon for many of us to eat a little too much, slack off the gym and have a few more tipples than usual....

The future of FS – 2020 predictions from Software AG

Laura Crozier, Senior Director, Industry Solutions, Financial Services at Software AG, has put together some of her thoughts, exploring the role of integration...

The FLA’s Priorities for 2020 – an agenda for the incoming Government

The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) has identified three improvements that the incoming Government must adopt to transform customer protection in the...

Is My Export Business Ready For Brexit?

Brexit is going to pose challenges for anyone who deals with members of the EU. Read more to find out if your export business is ready. A lot of our clients...

Leeds-based financial recruiter launches specialist credit control division

Leeds-headquartered financial search and selection consultancy Woodrow Mercer Finance has launched a new division specialising in the recruitment of credit...

Premium products defy UK export slide

British-made luxury goods, sports and leisure equipment and homeware exports grew consistently during the first three quarters of 2019, outstripping the...

Twelve days of Christmas returns, what will Knowledge Bank give to you?

The UK’s largest criteria search system Knowledge Bank will next week, and for the second year running, launch its hugely popular ‘12 Days of Christmas’...

Top Tips for Enforcing your CCJ

Customer on-boarding – think ahead! Make sure you have enough information when opening your customer accounts. i.e. details of any property they own, where...

October sees shake-up in brokers’ criteria searches

New figures from criteria search specialist Knowledge Bank show a shake-up in the most common criteria searches performed by brokers in October. Changes were...

UK adults reach ‘boiling point’ 156 times a year on average

A new study by CABA, the charity supporting the wellbeing of chartered accountants and their families, has found that in the UK, adults reach ‘boiling...

Landlords to desert the industry if ‘Right to Buy’ becomes law

So, we may have a general election to navigate in the coming months – and one group who will be watching the opinion polls closer than most will be...

Mothercare to call in administrators

As yet another famous retail giant looks set to disappear from our High Street, Dr Gordon Fletcher, retail expert at the University of Salford Business School,...

Fleet Mortgages launch revamped website

Fleet Mortgages, the buy-to-let specialist lender, has today launched a revamped and redesigned website including a range of new features and content...

Late payment crisis threatens small business growth

Nearly two thirds of small businesses (62%) experience late payment issues and it is the larger ventures that are being hit the hardest – according to new...

Has the construction industry been affected by Brexit’s “creeping paralysis”?

The value of all construction contract awards in September 2019 was £4.7 billion based on a three-month rolling average, which is a decrease of 2.5% on...

Women shunning weddings in favour of home ownership

British women appear to have fallen out of love with getting married – with just four per cent choosing to spend money on a wedding rather than a house...

StepChange welcomes Google’s crackdown on exploitative debt service ads

Following a campaign by StepChange Debt Charity which drew attention to the misleading advertisers impersonating reputable debt charities, Google has today...

Businesses urged to capitalise on exceptional lending rates for asset finance

Lenders battling for the custom of Brexit-wary SMEs are offering some amazingly competitive deals, a leading financial broker has said. Karina Gallagher says...

Consumer car finance market falls by 2% in August

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business volumes in the point of sale (POS) consumer new car finance...

Third of British businesses concerned about Brexit supply chain impact, R3 research finds

One third (33%) of UK businesses are concerned about the potential impact Brexit will have on their suppliers and customers, according to new research from R3,...

Comment – This time is different

Feels familiar, doesn’t it? Seven months down the line and approaching another Brexit deadline with little to show for the delay. But while politics might...

Domestic agenda should be built around giving people more control of their lives, argues CPS

‘Take Back Control’ was the slogan that swung Britain behind Leave. But after Brexit, argues Robert Colvile, politicians should make giving back control...

More than half of companies still use paper and spreadsheets to manage supply chain risk

A recent survey by independent survey firm Verdantix of environmental health and safety (EHS), procurement, operations and risk management executives in six...

Two thirds of financial institutions prepared for a no deal-Brexit

Senior leaders within financial institutions have become less optimistic about the prospects for their own sector as the outlook for the domestic economy...

Cifas research reveals false housing benefit claims are the third most prevalent fraud in UK

Recent research carried out by Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, has revealed that falsely claiming Single Person Discount is the third most...

SmartSearch named in Sunday Times TechTrack100 annual list of Britain’s fastest-growing tech companies

Leeds Anti-Money Laundering (AML) firm SmartSearch is officially one of the fastest-growing tech companies in Britain after being named in the Sunday Times...

Ultimate Finance announces strategic refocus to invest further in asset-based lending

Specialist asset-based lender, Ultimate Finance, today announces a strategic refocus of its product portfolio as it withdraws from the unsecured loan market to...

Comment – Is the ECB easing too early?

Euro interest rate markets are pricing in a rate cut by the ECB at its next policy meeting on 12 September. The current Euribor forward curve suggests that the...

Small businesses set up plans for overseas expansion

Across nine UK regions, more than one in five small business owners (22%) are looking to expand into new markets overseas in order to achieve business growth....

A Leading Light In A Changing Industry

It’s been a busy few years in the alternative lending sector. FCA supervision of the sector in 2014 has been followed by a renewed focus on a few businesses...

From career woman to working mum

Mum’s Enterprise Ltd, a company dedicated to facilitating positive change and gender equality across the nation,have today launched their report; ‘FROM...

‘Taking the robot out of the human’

Robotic process automation (RPA) is a hot topic nearly everywhere at the moment, and is also starting to develop within the collections environment. RPA...

7 Top Tips to Improve Invoice Finance Due Diligence

Underwriting a new Invoice finance deal is said to be the point of greatest risk for the lender. Saying “no” is easy but will not grow your business, and...

Adare SEC celebrates becoming first communications member of the CSA

A leading provider of technology-led, paper-based and electronic communication solutions is the first communications company to become a member of the Credit...

Trio of senior hires at Ardent as growth continues

Liverpool based DCA Ardent Credit Services has made three senior appointments as its long-term growth plan continues to yield results. Ruth Pointon has been...

Christiane Neumueller named Country Manager Germany

Christiane Neumüller has been named as Country Manager Germany of SIA as of 1st January 2018, reporting directly to SIA’s International Division Director...