FriendlyScore writes

Welcome to our blog

10 January 2020

FriendlyScore introduces a powerful new Open Banking solution. Here is everything that you need to know.

On the 14th of September 2019, the company became an Authorised Account Information Service Provider (AISP) after we received our PSD2 licence from the FCA. This now gives us the ability to integrate live Open Banking data into our solution (in territories which have adopted the regulation), and opens up a new universe of personal and business finance analytics based upon the transactional data of individuals.

3 December 2019

The different types of loans available

There are two main types of loans – unsecured and secured. Here’s the lowdown on both. Unsecured loans are when you borrow money from the lender and agree to pay it back over a set period. With this type of loan, your belongings aren’t used as part of the application.

26 November 2019

Dreaming of a debt-free Christmas?

With huge costs, endless presents to buy and a Christmas gift list that keeps on growing, this time of year can be daunting for those on tight budgets. But with some small changes, you can forget about your money worries, take back control and stop feeling pressured into spending more than you can afford during the festive season.

19 November 2019

Should you remortgage to pay off debt?

If you’re struggling with debt, remortgaging could help you pay off existing loans, but it’ll probably cost you a lot more in the long run. Before you do anything, get free, confidential advice from a debt advice service to see where you stand and what your options are.

12 November 2019

How and why you should open a savings account

After the Bank of England increased the base rate to 0.75% in August 2018, a number of high-street banks started to increase their savings rates, meaning it’s a better time to open a savings account now than it has been for several years.

4 November 2019

How to protect your home in winter and save money

With energy costs always on the up, Britain’s households face a battle to stay warm every winter. But rather than turn your radiators up to the max, here are 8 ways you can stay toasty without shelling out too much.

29 October 2019

How to get a loan if you are unemployed

When you want to take out a loan, banks and providers will look at how much you earn and your past borrowing habits to decide how likely you are to meet repayments and pay the loan back. The better your credit score and financial situation, the better loan interest rate you’ll be offered.

10 October 2019

The truth behind 0% car finance

If you’re thinking of buying a car, you’ve probably come across 0% finance deals. But what are they and is it all a bit too good to be true? Before signing up for any finance, it’s important to research every deal and make sure you’re equipped with the correct knowledge.

3 October 2019

Can I apply for credit if there's a default notice on my credit history?

If you’re struggling to pay off debt, you may have been issued a default notice by a lender. These appear on your credit file and usually happen if you’ve been unable to make your repayments or you’re making them late on a regular basis. Here we look at what you can do if you have a default and what kind of credit you might be able to apply for with one.

23 September 2019

How a joint mortgage affects your finances

A joint mortgage is a loan taken out by two people who want to buy a property together. Everyone named on the mortgage is responsible for repayments, but you can choose how you share the equity.

2 September 2019

How to get your first credit card

Credit cards work in the same way as debit cards but the money doesn’t come directly out of your bank account. Instead, you’re allocated a set amount of funds within your credit card account - known as your credit line - which you can spend as you wish.

29 August 2019

What are the different credit score ranges?

There are currently three credit reference agencies in the UK - TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. All three use various methods to calculate your credit score, meaning there isn’t a universal credit score.

27 August 2019

Everything you need to know about student loan interest rates

The date you start repaying your student loan and how you’ll have to pay depends on which repayment plan you’re on and the interest rate. The amount you repay changes in April every year and you’ll also stop repaying if your income drops below a certain amount.

23 August 2019

How do payday loans work?

Payday loans are short-term loans designed to help people until their next payday. The money is paid directly into your bank account and you repay the money in full with charges and interest at the end of the month.