The BBA is the voice of the banking industry for all banks who operate within the uk
Press releases 2006
BBA Press Releases published in 2006 are listed below in date order (simply click the 'blue' header)
Change to contributors for the BBA Canadian Dollar LIBOR panel
12/02/2007With effect from November 1, 2006, Lloyds TSB will replace Bank of Nova Scotia as a contributor to the BBA Canadian Dollar (CAD) LIBOR panel.
Strong mortgage lending to continue alongside subdued consumer credit
29/12/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: The contrast between the annual growth rate of net mortgage lending, at 14% and consumer credit, at 2%, is noteworthy.
Record net mortgage lending but weak consumer credit
20/12/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Net mortgage lending strengthened further in November with the highest monthly rise on record. This shows just how strong secured lending is and how, as yet, demand has not been moderated by the climate of higher interest rates. As one might expect, fixed rate mortgages are proving popular, given their certainty over repayment costs.
Debt Summit Agreement
13/12/2006The British Bankers' Association and representatives of the IVA industry have today agreed to work closely together to create industry standards - similar to the Banking Standards - to regulate how responsible debt practitioners market and advertise their services.
UK competitively placed in European retail banking market
05/12/2006An independent report released today has highlighted that a typical UK customer using a range of banking services benefits from some of the cheapest services and products available across eleven different countries surveyed.
BBA seeks industry recognition and support from the Pre-Budget Report
05/12/2006The BBA today publishes a letter from Angela Knight, the BBA's CEO Designate, sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Pre-Budget Report on Wednesday 6th December.
Banking industry well-placed to deliver new pensions products
30/11/2006The National Pensions Savings Scheme provides an ideal opportunity for the Government to capitalise on existing banking industry infrastructure.
Banks service to small business customers continues to rise
29/11/2006An independent survey of small businesses today confirms that banks' service to their small business customers continues to grow and has reached its highest level since 1998.
New Chairman for British Bankers' Association
28/11/2006Stephen Green, chairman of HSBC Holdings plc, has become the new chairman of the British Bankers' Association (BBA).
BBA plays key part in financial education agenda
28/11/2006The BBA today joined with the Treasury Select Committee in identifying improved financial education in schools as one of their key objectives in increasing financial inclusion.
Strong mortgage lending and subdued consumer credit
27/11/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: The secured lending market undoubtedly remains robust, but after discounting price growth, lending volumes are not dissimilar to the same time last year.
Farepak: BBA response to John McFall MP
23/11/2006The following text is an extract from a letter from British Bankers' Association (BBA) chief executive Ian Mullen to John McFall MP in response to a request from Mr McFall to urge banks to contribute to the Farepak Response Fund.
Keep it secret & shred it to fight fraudsters: Knight
22/11/2006Customers and banks need to work together to fight financial fraud Angela Knight, chief executive designate of the British Bankers' Association (BBA), said today.
Debt Summit Announced
20/11/2006Banks are calling for a halt to irresponsible selling of debt relief products, chief executive of the British Bankers' Association (BBA) Ian Mullen said today. He has issued an invitation to debt write-off companies to meet the banks to discuss how the financial services industry as a whole can help people resolve their debt difficulties.
BBA questions key Treasury Select Committee findings
20/11/2006The banking industry has responded well to providing access to basic banking services. More than 2m basic bank accounts have been opened since April 2003 when the banks joined forces with the Government to help people without access to financial services open entry level accounts.
Banks' commitment to financial inclusion continues
16/11/2006The BBA today highlights the banking sector's strong commitment to increasing the number of consumers being brought into the financial system.
BBA welcomes new payment systems body
14/11/2006The BBA today welcomed the announcement by HM Treasury of the creation of a new strategic governance body for UK payments and the winding up of the OFT Payment Systems Task Force.
The Transatlantic Dialogue in Financial Services: The Case for Regulatory Simplification and Trading Efficiency
10/11/2006The Industry Case for Priority Regulatory Action: Volume I.
Sensation seeking surveys help no-one
09/11/2006Recent claims by Uswitch that eight out of ten applications were approved by banks without proper checks being made on information provided by the customer (Uswitch 6th November press release) are simply ludicrous.
Independent Review of the Banking Codes announced
06/11/2006An independent review of the Personal and Business Banking Codes will begin on Monday 13 November. It will take views from all interested stakeholders and individuals on the content of the Codes, which set the standards of good banking practice for financial institutions in the UK. Revised Codes will be published in March 2008.
Banks supportive of simpler FSA Conduct of Business rules
31/10/2006The British Bankers Association (BBA) said that it was supportive of the proposals announced today by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to simplify rules governing the way firms carry out investment business with customers.
Mortgage lending weakens a little and consumer credit remains subdued
26/10/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: "Though September's net mortgage lending was below the high summer plateau, that is not necessarily a sign of the market moderating."
BBA 'pleased that FSA report acknowledges PPI improvements'
19/10/2006Responding to the second thematic report on the sale of payment protection insurance published today by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the British Bankers' Association (BBA) said that it was pleased that the report acknowledged that the industry has made improvements during the past year.
Weaker mortgage lending in September combined with weak consumer credit
19/10/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: It is not unusual for an above-trend net mortgage lending figure, as we saw in August, to be followed by a below-trend figure, as in September.
The Importance to the UK Economy of a Successful Financial Sector
17/10/2006The continued strength of Britain's banks and other financial services providers is crucial to the continued well-being of the UK economy. This study by Christopher Smallwood highlights that the combined balance of payments surplus that the sector's activity in international markets generates is increasingly providing much needed support to the economy by offsetting the burgeoning trade deficit from the manufacturing sector.
Economic Secretary, Ed Balls MP, speaks of greater Government support for the banking industry
11/10/2006A speech given by Economic Secretary, Ed Balls MP, at a BBA industry dinner (11 October 2006) - has now been published.
Keynote speeches at the BBA's Supervision Conference
11/10/2006Three keynote conference speeches by Charlie McCreevy of the European Commission, John Tiner of the FSA and Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York - have now been published.
Sustainable support for small businesses
09/10/2006Commenting on the latest BBA figures, BBA chief executive Ian Mullen, said: With over half a million new banking relationships being established a year and online banking becoming more widespread, the effective support provided to small firms by banks is an important contribution to the UK economy.
1m basic bank account milestone reached
05/10/2006The number of basic bank accounts opened since April 2003 for people who were previously unbanked has reached one million according to new data released by the BBA today
A bankless society?
04/10/2006Have you ever considered what life would be like without banks?
BBA announces autumn/winter conference programme
28/09/2006Money laundering, fraud, banking supervision and self regulation of the banking sector are just some of the topical areas covered in the British Bankers' Associations (BBA) autumn conference programme published today.
Continued strong mortgage lending and weak consumer credit
27/09/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Record gross and net mortgage lending is a reflection of house prices and mix of loans, rather than increased volumes. Compared to the numbers of secured loans approved at the same time in previous years, August shows robust and stable demand orientated towards house purchase rather than for other purposes, though below the volumes seen in 2003.
Credit derivatives market expected to reach $33 trillion by end of 2008
21/09/2006The global market in Credit Derivatives is expected to rise to $33 trillion by the end of 2008 according to a new report to be published by the BBA
Very strong mortgage lending but net repayment of consumer credit
20/09/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: "The draw-down of house purchase loans in particular has driven net mortgage lending higher of late and Augusts increase set a new monthly record."
Banks welcome opportunity for fact-finding exercise with the OFT
07/09/2006The banking industry welcomes the opportunity to work with the OFT on this fact finding exercise, but our members remain of the view that the current account charging system is fair and legal.
Divergent trends in mortgages and unsecured lending
25/08/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: July is typically a slow summer month for mortgage approvals, so the lower numbers and value of loans approved compared to June were anticipated.
Secured and unsecured lending continue to show divergent pictures
18/08/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: The robust nature of mortgage lending continues, with recent monthly net increases not far short of the movements seen when lending peaked in 2003/4.
Strong gross mortgage lending but weak unsecured lending
27/07/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Although gross mortgage lending reached record levels in June, numbers of approvals though stronger than in mid-2005 were weaker than at the equivalent time in either 2003 or 2004.
Chief Executive Designate Appointed
24/07/2006Angela Knight has been appointed as CEO Designate to the BBA and is due to take up the new position during the latter part of 2006. She is currently chief executive of the Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers (APCIMS).
Strong mortgage lending but weak consumer credit
20/07/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Whilst mortgage lending continues to grow strongly, consumer credit is not nearly so robust. Net unsecured lending in 2006, so far, has risen by less than half the increase seen in the same period of last year.
42.5 per cent of businesses now bank online
19/07/2006Commenting on the latest BBA figures, BBA chief executive Ian Mullen, said: With more than half a million new banking relationships being established in the last twelve months and a significant proportion of all businesses now banking online, the banks' effective support for the small business sector is clear.
FSA recognises banks' progress on TCF agenda
19/07/2006Speaking on the day the Financial Services Authority (FSA) launches its latest progress report on Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) at a BBA conference, Ian Mullen, chief executive of the British Bankers Association (BBA) said: The importance of TCF is well understood by member banks, who have a business imperative to treat their customers fairly and thus retain customers and recruit others."
BBA acknowledges the consultation paper issued by the Commission on Unclaimed Assets
12/07/2006Commenting on the consultation paper issued by the Commission on Unclaimed Assets, Ian Mullen, chief executive of the British Bankers' Association (BBA) today said: As announced in the Budget, the banking industry has established a steering group to work through the issues that need resolving in order to introduce an unclaimed assets scheme.
Half Year Results Dates 2006 - Release Dates
05/07/2006
Round table reinforces links between British and Swiss banks
30/06/2006Over 40 senior representatives of the British and Swiss financial services industries met in London today (June 30) for a Round Table discussion hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London at Mansion House.
Healthy mortgage activity
27/06/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Although numbers of approvals are still well below the levels of early 2004, the record level of gross lending and stronger net lending in May shows mortgage market activity to be healthy.
Basic bank account growth continues
23/06/2006The first quarter of 2006 saw a net total (accounts opened less accounts closed) of 130,500 post office-accessible accounts opened and also 44,400 existing accounts upgraded to fuller featured accounts.
Strong mortgage lending
20/06/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: "May's rise in net mortgage lending, the largest monthly increase since the rise of £6bn in April two years ago, shows the mortgage market to be very much alive at a time when annual house price growth is strengthening."
Mortgage lending and consumer credit in line with recent averages
26/05/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Mortgage approvals were predictably weak in April due to there being fewer working days. However after allowing for working day effects, approvals were much in line with recent trends.
Closing the confusion gap: banks welcome Pensions White Paper
25/05/2006The BBA has today broadly welcomed the publication of the Governments Pensions White Paper
Stable mortgage lending and consumer credit
19/05/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: After March's stronger figures, mortgage lending fell back in April to around the recent average and, although credit card lending was stronger, that has to be viewed against the rare net repayment seen in March.
New working party to lead UK implementation of harmonised corporate-action standards
16/05/2006A new working party has been established to lead the smooth implementation in the UK of harmonised, pan-European corporate-action standards, as part of the Giovannini Group initiatives to remove the barriers preventing the development of an efficient and cost-effective clearing and settlement infrastructure in Europe for securities transactions.
Complaints figures demonstrate increased customer awareness of Banking Code
02/05/2006Joanna Elson, executive director of the BBA, said: "We are pleased with this indication of raised awareness of the Banking Code and the rights it confers on customers. The fact that there are still only 3500 complaints and enquiries when there are almost 120m bank accounts in the UK speaks for itself"
Strong mortgage approvals but weak consumer credit
02/05/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: "On the face of it, mortgage lending was strong in March. Whilst partly reflecting the high number of working days in the month, the approvals numbers show that mortgage activity is running at a higher level than at this time last year, although the market is still somewhat short of the heady times of 2004."
Top award for BBA executive director
28/04/2006Michael McKee, an executive director of the BBA has been named Lobbyist of the Year by international compliance and legal publication Compliance Reporter
Strong mortgage lending but weak consumer credit
24/04/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: The contrast between stronger mortgage lending and net repayments of unsecured borrowing suggests that individuals are optimistic about the housing market, though careful about card borrowing, overdrafts or taking on personal loans.
Support for small businesses expands
12/04/2006Commenting on the latest BBA figures, BBA deputy chief executive Sally Scutt said: "Half a million new banking relationships during last year demonstrate the banks commitment to providing services and appropriate finance for small businesses."
UK customers receive excellent value from their banks
05/04/2006BBA responds to the OFT's Statement regarding default charges in credit card contracts.
Strengthened Banking Code offers greater protection for customers
30/03/2006Additional guidance on the Banking Code will offer greater protection for customers who borrow from banks, building societies and credit card companies. The new guidance, which is published on April 1.
Industry unites to tackle ATM Crime
29/03/2006
BBA welcomes implementation strategy for financial capability
28/03/2006The BBA today welcomed the announcement by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of its implementation strategy for financial capability in schools.
Stable mortgage market activity
27/03/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: The comparative weakness of the mortgage market in the first half of last year means that current indicators of activity, ie gross lending and approvals, are much stronger than they were twelve months earlier when the housing market was somewhat subdued, but they are by no means yet approaching the levels of activity seen in 2004.
BBA responds to the Budget statement on unclaimed assets
22/03/2006As announced in the Budget, the banking industry has established a steering group to work through the issues that need resolving in order to introduce an unclaimed assets scheme. As part of this we are currently planning a further exercise aimed at reuniting owners and assets in advance of the scheme commencing.
Chancellor's statement echoes BBA research on City success
22/03/2006The British Bankers' Association today welcomed the Chancellor's statement on the success of the City of London as a key international financial centre and the Government's initiative to produce and publish a joined up strategy to identify priorities and actions.
Little trend change in individuals borrowing
20/03/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Just as we did not regard the above-trend rises in the major banks' net mortgage lending towards the end of 2005 as heralding a sustained upturn in mortgage market activity, we do not now see the moderately weaker figures since as signalling a downturn, particularly with reports of house prices picking up in 2006 so far.
"Banks and financial services crucial to the growth of the UK economy" says new report
20/03/2006The continued strength of Britain's banks and other financial service providers will be crucial to the continued well-being of the UK economy, according to an independent report released today.
Basic bank accounts give customers confidence in handling their finances
13/03/2006New research released today (Monday) shows that more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of active users of basic bank accounts feel that they are more confident in dealing with money as a result of opening the account.
Banks' profits in context
27/02/2006Bank profits are much talked about at this time of year, but what does a strong banking sector mean? What benefit is there to the customer, the UK economy, or wider society? Some of the facts might come as a surprise.
Mortgage approvals hold up in January
27/02/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Seasonally adjusted net mortgage lending fell back to around the recent trend in January and the level of approvals, in particular for equity withdrawal, held up well in what is traditionally a slow month.
Uncertain picture of borrowing demand from individuals
20/02/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: The underlying rise in mortgage lending was close to trend in January, suggesting that stronger growth towards the end of 2005 may not have established a sustained upturn in lending.
JMLSG welcomes HM Treasury approval of new industry guidance
13/02/2006The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG) today welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, of the Treasury's approval of the new JMLSG guidance for the financial services industry. The announcement was made in a speech on national security to the Royal United Services Institute in London.
Support for small businesses expands
02/02/2006Commenting on the latest BBA figures, BBA chief executive Ian Mullen, said: "Banking support for small businesses continues to expand, with more banking being done on-line."
Weak lending for consumption in December
27/01/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Weaker mortgage lending in the first half of 2005 led to annual totals generally weaker than in 2004, but gross lending and loans approved for house purchase finished the year on an upward trend, after allowing for seasonal factors.
BBA LIBOR to include fixings in Swedish Krona
20/01/2006The BBA today announced the establishment of a new BBA LIBOR currency calculation.
Weaker annual borrowing by individuals in 2005
20/01/2006David Dooks, BBA director of statistics, said: Against a 2005 backdrop of overall lending to individuals being weaker than in 2004, mortgage lending strengthened in the final months of the year, but in sharp contrast, unsecured lending continued to be noticeably subdued.
Debt test launched
12/01/2006Consumers who think they have overspent over the Christmas period can now take a "debt test" to get an overall assessment of their borrowing to avoid the debt turning into a problem
BBA LIBOR Panels 2005
03/01/2006
BBA LIBOR panels 2006
13/11/1996In accordance with the BBA LIBOR Definition the BBA has completed its review of the composition of the BBA LIBOR Contributor Panels.