Article taken from the Finance & Leasing Association’s website

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show 22% growth in consumer finance new business in February, compared with the same month last year.

Credit card and personal loan new business together grew by 23% compared with February 2015, while retail store and online credit increased by 6% over the same period. The second charge mortgage market reported new business growth of 40% by value and 17% by volume – the fifth consecutive month of double-digit volumes growth.

Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said: “The latest figures reflect robust consumer confidence, particularly with regard to their own personal finances. In 2015, household real disposable incomes grew at their fastest rate since 2001 and should continue to be supported this year by low interest and inflation rates as well as stronger wage growth.”

Table 1: New consumer credit lending

Feb 2016 % change on prev. year 3 months to Feb 2016 % change on prev. year 12 months to Feb 2016 % change on prev. year
Total FLA consumer finance (£m) 6,476 +22 19,990 +13 82,691 +10
Data extracts:
Retail store and online credit (£m) 493 +6 1,723 +2 6,581 +3
Credit cards & personal loans (£m) 3,642 +23 11,190 +11 42,332 +6
Second charge mortgages (£m) 81 +40 233 +40 887 +36
Car finance (£m) 1,969 +25 6,043 +20 29,019 +16

Read the full article: fla.org.uk