Update on lending for January 2018
Commenting on the data, Eric Leenders, managing director, personal finance at UK Finance said:
“January saw higher levels of repayments on credit cards, which is expected at this time of year as customers pay off their festive spending. Meanwhile, households were careful with their outgoings as wage growth remains below the inflation rate.
“Gross mortgage lending in January increased by almost 10% compared to the same period last year, and was higher than the monthly average, as customers took advantage of mortgage deals on offer at the end of 2017.”
Stephen Pegge, managing director, commercial finance at UK Finance added:
“Business sentiment remains positive with confidence in short term trading conditions buoyed by the recovery in international markets. Investment levels remain broadly unchanged and borrowing continues to err on the side of caution, as companies adopt a ‘wait and see’ attitude to trading uncertainties, opting to use their deposits as buffers for spending decisions.”