[{"name":"Mortgage and Loans","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/financial-services\/mortgage-loans"},{"name":"Industry Bundle","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/industry-bundle"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"UK","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/uk-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
While 7% of adults owe money on an unsecured personal loan, 13% of UK adults are considering taking one out in the next 12 months. Obtaining the most suitable credit…
UK
Mortgage and Loans
variable
UK Personal Loans Market Report 2025
"With interest rates on a downward path, demand for loans will remain strong, both for big-ticket purchases and consolidation."
Lewis Cone - Associate Director, Financial Services
Don’t stop at one report. Go for the industry bundle. Mintel’s industry bundles hone in on a specific industry and provides a selection of Mintel’s unparalleled market and consumer insights for deeper and more varied insights.
The UK Financial Services Industry Bundle contains:
UK Personal Loans: A comprehensive analysis of the UK’s personal loan market, encompassing various aspects from consumer sentiments to growth projections.
UK Credit Cards: An in-depth analysis of the UK credit card market, showcasing trends, consumer behaviour, market dynamics, innovation opportunities, and competitive analysis.
UK Deposits and Savings Accounts:Â An overview of the UK deposits and savings accounts market, with a spotlight on consumer trends, digital advancements, marketing tactics, and the competitive scenario.
Mintel’s bundles ensure the best value for you, providing an extensive overview of your market at an exclusive price. Purchase the bundle to get all three full reports and save 15% on your total order.
Reports can also be purchased individually, simply make your selection before you add to basket.
UK Personal Loans Market Report
Gross personal loans lending is expected to have risen by almost a quarter in 2024 and this growth will continue to 2029. Brands that promote strong customer satisfaction should be well-placed to boost the appeal of loans.
UK Personal Loans Market – Current Landscape
While 7% of adults owe money on an unsecured personal loan, 13% of UK adults are considering taking one out in the next 12 months. Obtaining the most suitable credit product for a borrower’s situation can help achieve a financial goal or navigate a short-term financial challenge with confidence, whilst not further weakening financial stability.
Those aged under 45 are most keen to borrow in the next year. By highlighting the range of uses for loans, lenders can show an understanding of the challenges this demographic faces, while effectively connecting with younger borrowers’ aspirations.
The short-, medium- and long-term impact of the economic climate and regulation on personal loans
The types of consumer loans and credit people currently owe money on
The type of structured unsecured loan borrowers owe money on and the most recent type of loan taken out
Consumer interest in taking out an unsecured personal loan in the next 12 months
Reasons why prospective borrowers would take out an unsecured personal loan
The sources current and prospective borrowers would use to find information about unsecured personal loans
Borrower satisfaction with personal loan providers and confidence in being able to afford monthly repayments
Consumer confidence in being accepted for a personal loan and trust in lenders offering the same interest rates as advertised
Report Scope
Personal loans are structured credit products, generally available to borrow for between £1,000 and £25,000 (subject to credit checks) over fixed repayment terms of one to 10 years.
High-cost short-term credit loans and payday loans are defined as unsecured loans of value under £1,000 with a repayment term of typically less than one year.
Guarantor loans are unsecured loans where a second person (the guarantor) is responsible for paying off the debt if the person who took out the loan is unable to meet the repayments. Guarantor loans are typically available from between £500 and £10,000. This Report considers guarantor loans to be high-cost credit.
P2P loans are personal loans lent through a P2P platform, which matches savers with borrowers to cut out the role of banks in lending money to consumers. P2P loans are typically available from £1,000 up to a value of £25,000.
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Opportunities for the personal loans market
Promote strong customer satisfaction to boost appeal of loans
Support borrowers throughout the loan term to ensure affordability
Increase loan flexibility to help customers achieve their goals sooner
Market dynamics and outlook
Market size & forecast
Market predictions
Value of personal loan lending expected to rise by 18% to 2029
Total consumer credit lending sets new yearly high in 2024
Graph 1: gross unsecured lending, by credit card lending and other consumer credit lending, 2014-24
Largest banking groups lead unsecured lending market
Graph 2: value of outstanding balances for unsecured personal loans/unsecured lending, by selected providers, 2023
What consumers want and why
A majority of Brits have a form of unsecured debt
Graph 3: loan and credit product ownership, 2024
Over half of loans originate from traditional lenders
Travel and debt consolidation key motives to taking out a loan
PCWs and main banks/building societies provide the most information to borrowers
Confidence in loan approval is high, but concerns about interest rates persist
Innovation and marketing
Fair4All Finance and ClearScore aim to boost access to affordable credit
Nationwide doubles its maximum personal loan offering
MARKET DYNAMICS
Market size and performance
Personal loans lending grew for fourth consecutive year in 2024…
Graph 4: gross lending on unsecured personal loans, 2020-24
…consolidating its strong 2023 performance
First Direct records highests average repayment amount
Loan repayments tend to total over £200 per month
Graph 5: leading personal loan lenders, average spend per transaction, 2024/25
Market forecast
New personal loans lending will continue to grow
Level of economic recovery key to personal loans development
Market share
NatWest Group is the largest unsecured loans lender
Structural changes lead to less convincing loan book performance in 2023…
…but increased M&A activity looks to improve lending going forward
Broader consumer credit environment
Total consumer credit lending sets new yearly high in 2024
Graph 6: gross unsecured lending, by credit card lending and other consumer credit lending, 2014-24
Credit card lending continues to drive growth in gross unsecured lending
‘Other’ consumer credit lending reaches new high
Quoted personal loan interest rates edge downwards…
Graph 7: Bank of England base rate and quoted interest rates for personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts, 2021-24
…with Base Rate cuts starting to marginally improve loan affordability
Market drivers
Inflation has fallen significantly but some households continue to feel the impact
Graph 8: RPI and CPI inflation rate, 2021-24
Consumer sentiment: wellbeing recovery stagnates
Graph 9: the financial wellbeing index, 2019-24
Most people are still noticing the effects of higher prices
Graph 10: issues faced in the last two months, 2024
Household savings activity rebounds in 2024…
… although Budget changes may drive a more cautious approach
Graph 11: monthly changes to household savings deposits, 2020-24
Regulation and legislation
FCA extends timeline for credit information market remedies to be enforced
UK government plans to update the Consumer Credit Act in 2025
New consultation launched by the government to bring BNPL under FCA regulation
WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY
Loan and credit product ownership
A majority of Brits have outstanding unsecured debt
Graph 12: loan and credit product ownership, 2024
Personal loans appeal to consumers with varying financial situations and needs
Graph 13: loan and credit product ownership – net, by financial situation, 2024
BNPL remains an alternative option to loans for many
Majority of borrowers owe money on a single form of credit
Graph 14: number of loan and credit products that consumers currently owe money on, 2024
Personal loans are very rarely a borrower’s only form of credit
Graph 15: loan and credit product ownership, by number of loan and credit products that consumers currently owe money on, 2024
Considered use of loans see them acquired after revolving credit for basic needs
Type of loan held
Over half of loans originate from traditional lenders
Graph 16: type of structured unsecured loan* money is owed on, 2024
Specialist lenders continue to offer a strong alternative for borrowers
Half of structured loans were taken out within the last 12 months
Graph 17: timing of most recent structured personal loan* taken out, 2024
Borrowers continue to use high-cost credit as household finances remain strained
Future loan borrowing plans
Demand for personal loans remains strong…
…with lenders needing to meet younger adults’ eagerness to borrow
Lowest and highest earners most likely to take out a loan this year
Graph 18: consideration of taking out an unsecured personal loan in the next 12 months, by household income, 2024
Mixed financial reasons behind consideration of taking out a loan
Reasons to apply for a loan in the next 12 months
Travel and debt consolidation key motives to taking out a loan this year
Graph 19: reasons for considering taking out an unsecured personal loan in the next 12 months, 2024
Partnering with travel firms can help lenders meet demand for holiday loans
Lenders need to protect those taking out loans to consolidate debt or make ends meet
Promote loan use  to balance rising costs with home improvements
Sources used to find information about personal loans
PCWs and main current account providers are main sources for loan information
Graph 20: sources used to find information about unsecured personal loans, 2024
Lenders need to promote the use of PCWs to help younger borrowers find the most suitable loan
Nudge those asking family for information towards expert guidance
Attitudes towards personal loans
High confidence in loan approval, but interest rate concerns remain
Graph 21: attitudes towards personal loans, 2024
Consumers feel confident about loan approval, but suitability must be monitored
Trust issues can weaken engagement with personal loans
Highlight convenience of PCWs to help borrowers save money
Graph 22: borrower attitudes towards switching and early full loan repayment, 2024
Financially stable parents seek other credit products
Promote convenience of a loan to time-poor parents
INNOVATION AND MARKETING TRENDS
Competitive strategies and launch activities
Zopa Bank partners with John Lewis Money to offer loans to its customers
Firms aim to boost access to affordable credit via new debt consolidation loans
Hastings Direct Loans adds IDVerse Identity to its lending process
Nationwide doubles its maximum personal loan offering
NewDay launches Open Banking solution to improve affordability assessments
Haboo Money plans to introduce service to assist borrowers when making loan repayments
Advertising and marketing activity
Above-the-line advertising spend falls to historic low
Graph 23: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising on unsecured loans and payday loans, by media type, 2019/20-2023/24
Sub- and near-prime lenders account for majority of adspend…
…but Nationwide was the highest spender in 2023/24
Direct mail dominates ad spend…
…with digital and TV spend declining since 2022/23
Graph 24: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising on unsecured loans and payday loans, by media type, 2019/20-2023/24
Novuna makes ‘things happen’ with its loan offering
APPENDIX
Market forecast data and methodology
Market forecast and prediction intervals
Forecast methodology
Report scope and definitions
Market definition
Abbreviations and terms
Consumer research methodology
CHAID analysis – methodology data
CHAID analysis – methodology data table
Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Snoop SpendMapper methodology data
Snoop SpendMapper methodology data table
Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
For a closer look at a Mintel Market Intelligence Report, take a look at the sample PDF report below:
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
Mortgage brokers and other intermediaries arrange 84% of new mortgage sales and have enjoyed a dominant position in the market for over a decade. However, brokers face growing...
Mortgage ownership has remained fairly consistent, with just over a fifth of UK adults owning their property with a mortgage. Affordability challenges remain despite real wage growth and...
The cost of living crisis was driven by high inflation, leading the Bank of England to raise interest rates to their highest level since 2008 in response. This...
Bridging rates have crept up as the Base Rate remains unchanged, but lender competition has maintained demand for bridging
The bridging finance industry carries a higher risk profile than...
The downturn in mortgage lending presents an opportunity for advisers to extend the mortgage advice proposition and diversify into new areas.
Sarah Hitchcock, Associate Consultant – Financial Services
...
Interest rate rises have made loans more expensive, but demand remains high, both for aspirational goals and debt consolidation.
Lewis Cone, Associate Director - Financial Services
...
There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.
However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.
Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.
We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.
We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.
Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.
It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.
Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.
They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.
Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.
As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.
We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.
Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.