Consultation Responses

As the principal trade association for credit unions in Britain and a key player in the development of inclusive financial services, ABCUL actively responds to many consultations and enquiries. Our responses to the following consultations are available to view below.

Latest Consultations

Removal of interest and charges from moratorium (Scotland)

Scottish Parliament Coronavirus (Scotland) No2 Bill has been subject to opposition amendments that would remove all interest and charges from any debt within a moratorium in Scotland for at least 6 months. ABCUL submitted views to the Parliament’s Coronavirus Committee on the matter. Download

Financial Conduct Authority - COVID-19 Payment Deferrals

ABCUL has published a response to a very short guidance consultation published by the FCA regarding emergency payment deferrals for unsecured loans. The vast majority of credit union loans are out of scope of these proposals, however, ABCUL has responded to push for further exemptions for the sector's consumer credit regulated lending whilst highlighting the positive forbearance approach taken by credit unions across the country. Download

Financial Conduct Authority - Quarterly Consultation: The directory

ABCUL has responded to this quarterly consultation to support the techincal amendments introduced to the FCA handbook regarding the classification of credit union certification functions. We have also provided some feedback on the overall process of providing the required information on Directory scope individuals to the FCA. Download

ABCUL Responds to FCA Regulatory Fees Consultation

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) consults annually on changes to the fees policy for the next fee year, credit unions were briefed back in November about the proposal to introduce an £50 administration fee for paper invoicing. In addition FCA stated that they are looking to reform the structure of the debt advice levy which most credit unions are currently exempt from paying. ABCUL has responsed to the proposals. Download

Scottish Parliament Economy Committee Protected Trust Deeds Inquiry - January 2019

ABCUL responded to the Scottish Parliament's inquiry into the use of Protected Trust Deeds in Scotland. Download

Prudential Regulation Authority - Credit unions, review of capital regime - response from ABCUL

ABCUL has submitted our response to the PRA’s proposals for reform of the capital requirements Download

HM Treasury - Call for evidence - Future of financial regulation

ABCUL responded to the HM Treasury's call for evidence on the future of the regulatory framework for financial services. In our response ABCUL pushes for legislative reform of the Credit Unions Act to more clearly define the extent of which credit unions can provide different kinds of financial services. ABCUL also makes the case for a continuation of proportionate regulatory exemptions for credit unions post-Brexit and the seperation of the Mutual Societies Register function from the FCA due to it's ineffectiveness and the conflicts of interest that arise between it and the regulatory functions of the FCA. Download

Call for evidence: regulation of insolvency practitioners; review of current regulatory landscape

ABCUL submitted a response to the Insolvency Service’s Call for Evidence. A many members will be aware, we have been calling for some time for significant changes to the regulation of this sector, and we were pleased that the Insolvency Service launched a Call for Evidence on the matter earlier this summer. Download

In addition to this, we also co-ordinated a joint letter with the other 4 credit union trade associations, which noted the fact that the whole sector is united in its concern about this issue Download

Financial Conduct Authority – Guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers

ABCUL has responded to Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation on new guidance on how firms should treat vulnerable customers fairly Download

Scottish Government - Protected Trust Deed Review (April Review)

ABCUL has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on Protected Trust Deeds, the most frequency used debt solution in Scotland. In our response, which was based on consultation with members, as well as our Call for Evidence on insolvency issues, and our workshop at the recent ABCUL conference Download

Breathing Space 2019

ABCUL has responded on behalf of members to a Treasury consultation on a new Breathing Space and statutory debt repayment scheme in England and Wales. Download

Accountant in Bankruptcy (Scotland): Debt Arrangement Scheme Consultation

ABCUL recently consulted members on planned changes to the Debt Arrangement Scheme in Scotland Download

FCA - Rent to own & Alternatives to high cost credit

ABCUL has responded to the Financial Conduct Authority’s consultation on remedying the market failures of the rent to own sector which includes firms such as BrightHouse. ABCUL supported all of the proposals put forward to further regulate and limit the sector whilst also providing feedback on a number of initiatives that the FCA is considering to support low-cost alternatives such as credit unions. Download

FCA - Regulated fees and Levies: Policy Proposals for 2019-20 high cost credit

ABCUL has published its response to the Financial Conduct Authority's annual consultation on its fees policy for the year ahead. ABCUL strongly supported proposals to exempt credit unions from consumer credit fees and remove the costs of accessing information on the Mutual Societies Register except where a visit to an FCA office is requested. Download

Financial Conduct Authority Prudential Regulation Authority HM Treasury Scotland Responses Joint regulatory consultations Financial Services Authority Other