Posts by Adrian Davies
How lenders make credit decisions
Last reviewed April 2026 i QUICK ANSWER Lenders decide whether to offer you credit by assessing risk. They look at your credit score, repayment history, debt levels, income, affordability and address stability — drawing on data from credit reference agencies like Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. No single factor guarantees an approval or decline. When you…
Read MoreWhat is a missed payment?
Last reviewed April 2026 Quick answer A missed payment is when you don’t make a payment on the date agreed during a billing cycle — usually 30 days — to your lender. Lenders report missed payments to the three UK credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion), where they can lower your credit score and affect…
Read MoreLoan recycling: the hidden reason credit union loan books stall
Some credit unions are processing millions in lending each year but aren’t growing at all. The reason is loan recycling. Successfully addressing this is a direct route to sustainable growth. Why the loan recycling rate matters more than you think The loan recycling rate measures what proportion of a credit union’s opening loan book was…
Read MoreNo more marketing without measurement
Credit union marketing analytics are improving – but the gap between spend and insight remains significant. Social media campaigns, email outreach, partnerships, broker channels and community events are just some examples of marketing activities. But campaigns cost money and staff time. Critically, when loans arrive, there’s little insight into their origin. As a result, it’s…
Read MoreHow Northern Ireland Credit Unions Can Win Younger Members
The average age of a credit union loan applicant in Northern Ireland is 44 years. In Great Britain, it’s 38. That six-year gap isn’t just a statistic; it’s a warning sign. A membership that skews older isn’t standing still. Older members borrow less, save more, and eventually stop needing financial services altogether. A credit union…
Read MoreSoft vs hard credit check: what’s the difference?
Last reviewed February 2026 i QUICK ANSWER A soft credit check looks at your credit file but doesn’t leave a footprint other lenders can see, and it has no effect on your credit score. A hard credit check leaves a footprint and is recorded when you formally apply for credit. A single hard check usually…
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