Consumer Duty measures could create “new opportunities”

Dealers feel that Consumer Duty measures can create new opportunities.

Almost three out of four dealers (73%) believe that implementing measures to meet the FCA’s Consumer Duty responsibilities will create new business opportunities.

According to research from iVendi, 91% agree that consumers will get a better buying experience because of the introduction of the regulations.

James Tew, CEO at iVendi, said: “We’ve been saying for some time that if dealers implement Consumer Duty correctly, it will potentially create new avenues for business. That’s because it fundamentally requires detailed information to be recorded about how buyers behave and this provides greater insights, as well as providing a more structured and better-informed customer journey.

“For example, a key metric for Consumer Duty for all dealers is that motor finance rejections should reduce over time because products should become better matched to consumers. This process represents significant business gain.”

The research also asked dealers whether they were ready to meet the FCA’s end of July deadline for new and existing products or services that are open to sale or renewal, with 97% answering yes.

When asked how far they had completed their Consumer Duty implementation on a scale of 1-5 (incomplete through to complete), 11% chose one, 11% opted for two, 35% said three, 26% picked four and 17% selected five.

“We are sure that our research sample, which is taken from our user base, is much more Consumer Duty-aware than the dealer community as a whole because providing technology that enables compliance is very much what we deliver as a company.

“However, even bearing this is mind, these findings are a strong signal that motor retailers are taking Consumer Duty seriously and working diligently towards the deadline. Some may take it down to the wire, but the vast majority of dealers believe they will be compliant by the end of July.”