New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance providers advanced £10.3 billion of new credit in July 2026, 1% lower than in the same month in 2025. In the first seven months of 2026, new business in this market was 4% higher than in the same period in 2025.
The credit card and personal loans sectors together reported new business 2% lower in July than in the same month in 2025, while the retail store and online credit sector reported a decrease in new business of 3% over the same period.
Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Director of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:
“Consumer finance new business eased slightly in July, but the broader picture remains one of resilience. New business has grown by 4% in the year to date, highlighting the important role credit continues to play in helping households manage spending and make major purchases.
“As the Autumn Budget approaches, the Government should focus on creating the conditions for consumer confidence to recover further. Measures that support household finances and encourage employment would help sustain spending and contribute to more durable economic growth.”
Table 1: New consumer credit lending
| Jul 2026 | % change on prev. year | 3 months to Jul 2026 | % change on prev. year | 12 months to Jul 2026 | % change on prev. year | |
| Total FLA consumer finance (£m) | 10,324 | -1 | 31,401 | 2 | 125,737 | 5 |
| Data extracts: | ||||||
| Retail store and online credit (£m) | 656 | -3 | 2,146 | 1 | 9,146 | -2 |
| Credit cards & personal loans (£m) | 5,450 | -2 | 16,272 | -1 | 64,955 | 3 |
| Second charge mortgages (£m) | 205 | 2 | 585 | 9 | 2,384 | 25 |
| Car finance (£m) | 3,368 | 0 | 10,629 | 5 | 42,771 | 7 |
Note to editors:
- The FLA Impact Report 2026, The Hidden Engine Behind UK Growth, was published on 29 June 2026. Further details may be found here.
- FLA members in the consumer finance sector include banks, credit card providers, store card providers, second-charge mortgage lenders, motor finance providers, personal loan and instalment credit providers.
- In 2025, FLA members provided £163 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households. £122 billion of this was in the form of consumer credit representing almost a third of total new consumer credit written in the UK in 2025.
- Consumer car finance reported in these figures refers to finance obtained through the point of sale.
- For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.
