UK Consumer Credit Inches Lower

Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK eased to £1.9 billion in March of 2026 from the upwardly revised £1.94 billion in the previous month, but overshot market forecasts of £1.8 billion. The result was also above the six-month average of £1.8 billion. Net borrowing through other forms of consumer credit, such as car dealership finances and personal loans, eased to £1.2 billion from £1.3 billion in the previous month. Meanwhile, consumer credit through credit cards remained relatively unchanged from the previous month at £0.7 billion. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit increased to 8.9% in the period, picking up from the 8.6% increase earlier amid a 12.3% jump in credit card borrowing and 7.4% growth in other forms of consumer credit.

Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK rose to £1.9 billion in February 2026, compared to the upwardly revised £1.8 billion in January and above forecasts of a £1.6 billion advance. It was the highest reading since last November, slightly above the six-month average of £1.8 billion. Net borrowing through other forms of consumer credit, such as car dealership finance and personal loans, increased to £1.2 billion in February, up from £0.9 billion in January. Meanwhile, net borrowing through credit cards was £0.8 billion in February, down from £0.9 billion in January. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit increased to 8.5% in February from 8.3% in January. Over the same period, the annual growth rate for credit card borrowing decreased to 12.1% from 12.3%, and the annual growth rate for other forms of consumer credit increased to 6.9% from 6.6%.

Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK rose to £1.81 billion in January 2026, from the upwardly revised £1.65 billion in December and above market forecasts of £1.7 billion and consistent with the six-month trend. Net borrowing through credit cards was £0.9 billion in January, up from £0.8 billion in December. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit remained unchanged at 8.3% in January. Over the same period, the annual growth rate for credit card borrowing decreased to 12.3% from 12.4%, and the annual growth rate for other forms of consumer credit increased to 6.5% from 6.4%.