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Santander Halts UK Results, Urges Ministers to Rework FCA Car Finance Redress Plan

The bank warns the proposed compensation could curb credit supply, threatening the motor industry.

Overview

  • Santander UK postponed publication of its third-quarter UK figures, citing uncertainty over the regulator’s proposed motor finance redress scheme.
  • Chief executive Mike Regnier called for government intervention and for material changes to the proposals, warning of risks to jobs, growth and consumers.
  • The lender has provisioned £295 million to date and said even a severe downside would not materially affect its capital, liquidity or operations.
  • Other lenders including Lloyds, Close Brothers and Barclays have increased provisions and criticised the methodology as they prepare formal responses.
  • The FCA’s proposed scheme covers roughly 14 million agreements with average payouts near £700, and the regulator says a managed program is the quickest, fairest route as consultation runs to mid-November.