Credit card borrowing slowed in September—but balances are still growing
The Bank of England reports £0.7bn of net credit card borrowing in September. Here is what that does, and does not, tell us.
News · 2 min read
Nearly half of outstanding credit card balances are attracting interest
UK Finance’s July figures show 47.8% of outstanding balances incurred interest. That is a measure of balances, not a count of people.
News · 2 min read
What credit card complaints tell us about common problems
A look at credit card complaints, what the totals cannot prove and how to put a clear complaint to your provider.
Analysis · 2 min read
Why a credit card balance can be difficult to shift
StepChange’s research puts persistent debt in context. Slow progress is worth examining, without blaming yourself for it.
Research explainer · 2 min read
What “up to 38 months at 0%” actually means
Use a current TSB example to understand the fee, the promotional period and the questions behind an “up to” headline.
Offer explainer · 2 min read
A longer 0% deal or a smaller transfer fee: which costs less?
Compare two invented offers to see why repayment speed matters as much as the headline number of interest-free months.
Calculator analysis · 2 min read
Buying something for Black Friday? Understand your credit card protection first
Understand the price limits for Section 75, why payment routes matter and when to ask your provider about chargeback.
Seasonal guide · 3 min read
Buy now, pay later protections changed this year—how does that compare with a credit card?
What the new BNPL protections cover, why older agreements differ and what to compare before choosing how to pay.
Rules explainer · 3 min read
Can your contactless limit change? What the new flexibility means
Why flexibility for banks does not mean every card’s tap-to-pay limit has automatically risen.
Rules explainer · 3 min read
Could credit card letters become easier to understand?
What the Consumer Credit Act reform announcement aims to do for communications, and what it does not tell you about your next bill.
Policy explainer · 3 min read