Letters
MoJ needs to engage with enforcement sector 1 October 2011
Dear Editor, Along with many others from the industry I had the pleasure of attending the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA) Conference towards the end of September. As always it was a well organised conference with the opportunity to network. Register or log in to read full article
Guidance aims to encourage better treatment 1 September 2011
Dear Editor, In your August 2011 editorial ‘Creditor Health Line’, you rightly recognise that mental health is “becoming one of the biggest issues for the credit industry”. However, while the industry may feel under enormous pressure to get it right due to forthcoming regulations and new guidance, creditors and collectors are not alone: help is available. Register or log in to read full article
Beware PPI’s unwelcome many-headed legacy 1 August 2011
Dear Editor, There has been a great deal written about Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) in recent months and, believe it or not, it was once a good idea. Indeed, in fairness, there are some consumers out there who did actually benefit, and who were sold their policies in good faith. But these voices have been drowned out in the clamour of protests from regulators, consumer interest groups, and a media seemingly joyous at the opportunity for yet another spot of bank bashing. And for very good reason. Register or log in to read full article
Further industry condemnation of rogue traders 1 July 2011
Dear Editor, Anyone who read your report on the BBC’s investigation into malpractice in the debt settlement industry could not help but conclude that the debt settlement and debt management sector is under fierce scrutiny. Register or log in to read full article
Bright road ahead for the civil justice system 1 June 2011
Last month saw consultation papers from both the Office of Fair Trading, with its draft debt collection guidance, and the Ministry of Justice, on potential reforms to the civil justice system. Register or log in to read full article
Charging order regulation: OFT or OTT? 1 April 2011
January’s edition of Credit Today asked: "After recent OFT action, does the law on charging orders need to be changed?" This leads to more pertinent questions, such as: "Who makes our law, parliament or the OFT?" Register or log in to read full article
Debtors face a difficult year ahead 1 March 2011
The financial difficulties of the last few years have accelerated a longer term trend of more and more people struggling with debt. Register or log in to read full article
Don’t let dodgy DMCs dent development 1 February 2011
It is important that scope is left for innovation. Healthy competition among providers of any service – including debt management – invariably improves the quality of service available to users. Register or log in to read full article
Spelling out a disaster for British families 1 January 2011
The imminent hikes in fuel and food prices, the recent Spending Review cuts, and January’s VAT rise, all equal a miserable time ahead for many families, and for some, it could tip them into debt. Register or log in to read full article
A campaign on Her Majesty’s depleted service 1 December 2010
Dear Editor,At last month’s excellent Civil Court Users Association conference there were several references to the fact that the fixed fees awarded to claimants on debt actions had not increased since 1998 Register or log in to read full article
Benefit fraud – prevention not persecution 1 November 2010
Dear Editor,They are not shy for a bit of publicity this new government. Not content with targeting 40 per cent spending cuts in public services and taking free school milk away (those under fives won’t be voting for years) we’re back on the benefit fraud trail again. It’s an obvious target really and one that a succession of governments have tried to tackle. Register or log in to read full article
The waning appetite for business expansion 1 October 2010
The waning appetite for business expansion Register or log in to read full article
A chance to reduce some collateral damage 1 September 2010
Dear Editor,The Financial Services Authority’s proposals, in its Mortgage Market Review discussion paper, are great news for professional advisers like solicitors and surveyors, because they will make it harder for banks to launch spurious professional negligence claims against them. Register or log in to read full article
The importance of being earnest 1 August 2010
Dear Editor,The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) latest monthly survey shows that a quarter of all respondents are dissatisfied with the support offered by their high street bank over the last 12 months. Throughout the duration of the recession small firms have faced difficulties in accessing finance and credit, and an FSB-ICM survey of more than 1,300 members showed that 25 per cent of firms are not happy with the support offered during that period – equivalent to 1.2 million small businesses. Register or log in to read full article
The best form of defence to keep cash flowing 1 July 2010
Dear Editor,It’s hard to avoid reports of where, when and how late payment and bad debt are hitting businesses, but I wonder if we are forgetting the power of the Credit Application Form (CAF) in the battle to keep cash flow moving. Register or log in to read full article
‘Slave’ debate on debt management rages on 1 June 2010
Dear Editor,In response to your Hot Topics discussion: "Are people becoming slaves to DMPs?" in April’s Credit Today, we would like to address the claims from two of the contributors that R3’s pronouncements were "ill informed" and "erroneous". Register or log in to read full article
FSA tightens grip on arrears strategies 1 May 2010
Dear Editor,We believe the Financial Services Authority’s proposed tighter rules on arrears handling in the specialist lending sector are a step in the right direction. Through our outsourcing division, we manage the arrears cycle for a number of lenders and portfolio owners. Register or log in to read full article
Debt management accreditation debate rages 1 April 2010
Dear Editor,I was more than somewhat surprised to read the February article "Taking a Stand" (p54) (- see link below). Register or log in to read full article
Plan for payments after the death of cheques 1 March 2010
Dear Editor,The announcement by the Payments Council that it is to begin the process of phasing out cheques by 31 October 2018 has brought payment methods for all businesses into sharp focus, prompting a new era for business transactions. Now is the time for businesses to consider payment alternatives seriously in order to be sufficiently prepared ahead of the proposed deadline. The eight year time frame for the phasing out of cheques is more than adequate to allow businesses to research and adopt new solutions in order to make the switch over a painless process. Register or log in to read full article
Duty to achieve market value for repossessions 1 February 2010
Dear Editor,Marketing a repossessed property comes with significant responsibilities. Following the recent news that the Financial Ombudsman Service has received several complaints about disputed property valuations on the sale of repossessed homes, it appears that I am not alone in this sentiment. There are actions that lenders can and always should take to ensure properties are correctly exposed to the market to drive maximum value. Register or log in to read full article
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