UK homeowners update kitchens every 13 years
A new report by lifestyle website Houzz.co.uk has found we update our kitchens, on average, every 13 years. The research, which included a survey of more than 2,800 homeowners from across the UK and Ireland, also found that people planning to redesign their kitchens in 2015 are making significant investments: 48% are budgeting £5k to […]
Your FCA Landing Slot: Are You Ready?
Make sure you’re well prepared before submitting your FCA application Over the last few months we’ve been busy advising retailers on their FCA applications, and we’ve come up with a few tips to make the process easier & smoother: Don’t assume the application is quick to do and leave it until the last minute. You can […]
New rules on credit broking & financial promotions
In January, the FCA published new rules on credit broking and financial promotions, this was in response to consumers’ confusion about the status of credit brokers. As a result all credit brokers now need to include their legal name (as it appears in the FCA Register) on all advertising and correspondence with customers. Advertising and […]
Should your business have limited or full permission?
When your ‘landing slot’ is due, should you apply for limited or full permission from the FCA? One question we’re frequently asked by retailers is, which type of permission do I need to apply for, limited or full? It’s really important to get your application right, because if you apply for the wrong permission then it […]
CCS ‘CHOICES OF FUNDING’ – CAN YOU AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT IT…?
CCS ‘CHOICES OF FUNDING’ – CAN YOU AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT IT…? Six months ago we announced our unique ‘Choices of Funding’ approach to help retailers present all available repayment options to customers equally and compliantly. Numerous retailers have now introduced the new process, and they’ve found it’s had an unexpected but very welcome benefit […]
Leading organisations predict continued growth for renewables sector
By all accounts 2014 was a good year for the renewables sector (and CCS managed record approvals last year). Reports by leading organisations indicate that the positive trend is likely to continue for a number of years to come: GlobalData have issued a report stating that worldwide solar PV capacity could treble by 2020 – formerly […]
Latest FCA Consumer Credit Fee Information
The FCA’s website has been updated following its annual consultation on consumer credit fees. The 3 types of fees charged by the FCA: 1. Authorisation application fee Firms have to pay a non-refundable application fee when they apply for authorisation. The application fee that a firm offering consumer credit has to pay depends on the size of its […]
Have you got your tickets for EcoBuild…?
EcoBuild 3-5 March at Excel, London Last year 89% of visitors claimed Ecobuild was a great show and shouldn’t be missed. It combines the opportunity to meet suppliers, offering thousands of new and innovative products and services, with a diverse programme of conferences and seminars to get you up to speed with the latest thinking […]
The FCA’s Application Period 1 comes to an end
Update from the FCA At midnight on the 31st December 2014, the first application period for firms with interim permission came to an end. Those firms that have successfully submitted a complete application to become authorised for limited or full permission will now be assessed by the FCA. If a firm intends to continue to […]
FCA Guidelines on Advertising updated
The FCA has revised its guidelines on Consumer Credit Advertising Regulations. The guide, known as CONC3, was republished this month and is available on the FCA’s website http://fshandbook.info/FS/html/handbook/CONC/3 In addition, CCS has also received updates on advertising compliance from lenders. As a result we have updated our own CCS Advertising Guide. If you have an old […]