Compulsory Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) from 6th June

From the 6th June all double-glazing domestic installation guarantees must have financial backing. The change in the law has raised questions among many of our Glass & Glazing clients. Specifically, whether they need to provide a financial insurance-backed guarantee as customers already receive protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.  Section 75 states […]

Swinging in the Rain at the BPF Golf Day

CCS’ Colin Macpherson and Alex McCulloch took a day out of the office to go along to the Barclays Partner Finance Golf Day on Wednesday.  The event was held at The Twenty Ten golf course at the Celtic Manor resort near Newport in Wales. The popular course was specially created to host the 2010 Ryder […]

G&G installations are up 8.4%

FENSA have announced that replacement windows and doors have risen 8.4 percent in the first quarter of 2014. This is against the same period last year which showed a 5.4 percent decrease.  This is good news for the industry and marks the fourth consecutive quarter that has shown growth.

‘eSign’ software speeds up credit applications for Betta Living

Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS) has launched its eSign credit application system with home improvement specialists Betta Living.  The introduction of the web-based, point-of-sale software means Betta Living can now complete finance applications via a laptop or tablet during sales appointments at customers’ homes. Alex McCulloch, Head of Business Development at CCS, said, ‘The software is […]

FCA find one in five consumer credit adverts are not compliant

Credit firms need to do more to ensure their adverts and promotions do not mislead potential customers, says the FCA.  The organisation examined over 500 advertisements for a range of consumer credit products and found a number of examples where key information which should have been included in the advertisement was either missing or difficult […]

A Day in the Life of… Business Support Administrator Liz Thewlis

My day starts with a commute along the M65 and then down the A49 to our Head Office at Matrix Business Park.  It’s a busy office and from the moment we arrive, we’re all kept busy dealing with telephone calls and emails from clients. A large part of my day is answering queries. From simple […]

Domestic RHI scheme likely to increase interest in renewable energy technologies

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is designed to encourage the adoption of renewable energy technology across the UK. It’s intended to help the Government meet its 2020 target of 12 per cent of heating coming from renewable sources. The first phase, launched in November 2011, was aimed at ‘non-domestic’ installations across both the private […]

Demand for triple-glazing is predicted to grow

In Germany triple-glazing is rapidly becoming the norm,with around 40 percent of householders choosing it over standard double-glazing.   Typically the UK market always lags behind the Germans, but the industry is catching up with many businesses now experienced in promoting, manufacturing and installing triple-glazed windows. Triple-glazing is up to 40 percent more energy efficient than […]

Do you hold interim permission from the FCA? If so, what happens next…

by Colin Macpherson | General Manager If your business currently holds interim permission to provide credit, then by now you should have received an email from the Financial Conduct Authority. The email, entitled ‘Applying for FCA authorisation or a variation of permission’, includes a start date for completing your application for full authorisation. You have […]

Why FCA regulation is actually good for your business…

by Andy Wallace | Managing Partner It’s fair to say the FCA’s take-over of consumer credit regulation on the 1st April has caused a few ripples across the industry. Change tends to cause apprehension, and many retailers are uncertain about what FCA regulation will actually mean for their businesses; will it be a drain on […]