The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has embarked on an investigation into the historical use of discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) in the motor finance industry, sparking questions about what DCAs entail and the reasons behind the regulatory scrutiny.
What is Discretionary Commission?
Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs) are agreements in which a lender grants a credit broker the authority to determine the interest rate offered to a prospective customer. The commission payable to the broker by the lender is linked to the interest rate charged – a higher interest rate translates to increased commission. This practice essentially gave brokers the discretion to influence the cost of motor finance for customers.
Go deeper with GlobalData
In response to concerns about the fairness of such arrangements, the FCA took decisive action in 2021, banning DCAs in the motor finance market. Before the ban, it was a prevalent industry practice for brokers to have this discretionary power, potentially leading to inflated interest rates for customers.
Why has the FCA Banned Discretionary Commission?
The ban on DCAs was implemented to eliminate the incentive for brokers to push for higher interest rates, ensuring fairer outcomes for customers. However, since the ban came into effect, a surge in complaints and claims emerged from customers seeking compensation related to commission arrangements predating the prohibition.
Complaints against motor finance firms have raised several key issues:
a) Lack of disclosure: Customers argue that the existence and nature of the commission between motor finance firms and car dealerships were not transparently disclosed.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDatab) Unfair commission model: Complaints suggest that the commission model employed by motor finance firms, allowing dealers to determine interest rates within a range set by the lender, was inherently unfair.
c) Impartiality concerns: Customers claim that the commission structure compromised the impartiality of recommendations provided by car dealers.
d) Suboptimal interest rates: Allegations point to instances where customers were not offered the best available interest rates.
In light of these complaints, the FCA, acknowledging that a significant number have been rejected, has taken steps to ensure a fair resolution. This includes instituting a pause in the response time limit for complaints and extending the timeframe for escalation to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
As the investigation unfolds, with thousands of claims already referred to the FOS and numerous cases before County Courts, the regulatory landscape surrounding motor finance remains under scrutiny. The FCA’s focus on fairness and transparency underscores the ongoing challenges in the industry and the quest for equitable outcomes for consumers.
The FCA’s intervention aims to facilitate a thorough examination of the historical use of Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs) in the motor finance market, with a specific focus on evaluating potential harm inflicted upon customers. This measure is geared towards guaranteeing that individuals who have incurred losses receive the necessary redress in a methodical, uniform, and efficient manner.
MoneySavingExpert launches car finance reclaim campaign
FCA’s motor finance probe sparks misconduct risk concerns in UK banking sector: Fitch Ratings
Embracing transparency and eligibility in the car finance space
