Publications in: Consumer Finance

A Guide to Privatisation – Best Practices and Procedures

Published:16 February, 2023

Many countries have privatised some or all of their State-Owned Enterprises in order to improve the efficiency of their economies and raise revenues for the government. Some of the privatisation experiences have been more successful than others and a wealth of knowledge on what works in a privatisation has been accumulated over the last 40 […]

Statistical Background Information for the Independent Review of the Funding of Debt Advice in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – January 2018

Published:25 January, 2018

London Economics was commissioned by the Independent Review of the Funding of Debt Advice in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to provide an extensive statistical background document describing development of household debt at both a macro and micro level, the problems that high debt levels cause for individuals and households, the supply of debt […]

Understanding Consumer Vulnerability in the EU’s Key Markets – February 2016

Published:23 February, 2016

This study for the European Commission provides a new definition of vulnerable consumers, a new methodology for measuring consumer vulnerability and new insights into the actual patterns of consumer vulnerability. The large scale study employed stakeholder consultations, consumer surveys, focus groups and behavioural experiments across the EU28 plus Iceland and Norway.

Consumer Protection Aspects of Financial Services – October 2014

Published:07 October, 2014

The presentation provides a high level summary of the key findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study published by the European Parliament in February 2014.

Study on the Functioning of the Consumer Credit Market in the EU

Published:12 June, 2014

Presentation to Eurofinas, Brussels, June 12th, 2014.

Study on the Functioning of the Consumer Credit Markets in the European Union – May 2014

Published:20 May, 2014

The study assesses the degree to which Consumer Credit Directive (CCD) fulfilled its principal objectives, namely: a) fostering an internal credit market in the EU, with a positive impact, in particular on cross­border competition; and, b) providing a high level of protection of consumers regarding consumer credits. The study focuses on the impact of the […]

Financial Conduct Authority Practical Use of Behavioural Experiments in Financial Regulation – March 2014

Published:25 March, 2014

The Financial Conduct Authority finds that behavioural experiments have an important role to play in financial regulation, and often provide insights into the ways markets work that may not be possible otherwise. Download the paper on the practical application of behavioural experiments in financial regulation jointly authored by London Economics and the FCA.

Consumer Protection Aspects of Financial Services

Published:10 February, 2014

The financial crisis of 2007/2008 has clearly shown that inadequate consumer protection, especially in the US mortgage market, was a major contributor to financial instability. Moreover, many holders of sub-prime mortgages suffered considerable harm as a result of mis-selling or inappropriate selling. However, the USA is not the only country where weak consumer protection resulted […]

Study on Means to Protect Consumers in Financial Difficulty: Personal Bankruptcy, Datio in Solutum of Mortgages, and Restrictions on Debt Collection Abusive Practices

Published: April, 2013

Commissioned on behalf of the Financial Services Users Group by DG Internal Market and Services, and authored by London Economics, this report examines all formal debt reduction solutions which allow consumers to return to a financially sustainable path by eliminating some or all of their debts, including providing a comprehensive description of: the availability and […]

Debt Advice in the UK

Published: February, 2012

This study describes the current debt landscape in the UK and highlights information gaps for further exploration. It consists of a comprehensive review of existing debt advice literature and research materials, supplemented by consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.

Basic Banking Services

Published: January, 2012

Presentation to the European Parliament by London Economics.