43 per cent of non-bank lenders and mortgage third-party administrators think the current macroeconomic environment is having a negative impact on their business, a larger proportion than any other financial services firms.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its latest financial resilience survey, which polled firms it regulates across a variety of markets.
It received nearly 14,000 responses from firms, including 100 from non-bank lenders, lifetime mortgage providers and mortgage third-party administrators.
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55 per cent of firms in that market said that the current macroeconomic environment is having a neutral effect on their business, while just two per cent saw it as having a positive impact.
In comparison, 35.66 per cent of consumer finance firms – which includes claims management firms, high-cost lenders and motor finance providers – said the macro climate was having a negative impact, while 23.62 per cent of consumer investment firms – including peer-to-peer lending platforms – cited a negative impact.
Just 19.52 per cent of buy-side firms, such as asset managers, were pessimistic about the impact of the wider economy on their business.
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The FCA’s survey also found that non-bank lenders and administrators have £998,446 of liquidity resources per median firm.
Consumer finance firms reported the overall lowest median levels of liquid resources, at around £73,000.
“Over the last three years, we have collected financial resilience data from approximately 23,000 regulated firms,” the FCA said.
“This has helped develop our understanding of financial resilience. It provides insight into the impact of recent crises, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to cost-of-living pressures.
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“Financial resilience is measured by assessing whether a firm holds enough resources to meet their ongoing obligations. It also takes into account whether they could ensure orderly wind down, should that be required.
“Using this data has helped us respond to risks faster. We have identified and addressed concerns in hundreds of firms.”