Car Finance Payout Shock Boosts UK Bank Shares as FCA Redress Bill Shrinks

Britain’s largest banks have seen their valuations soar by over £5bn after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) unveiled a smaller than anticipated car finance compensation pot. Shares in Close Brothers spiked more than 10 per cent, while Lloyds Banking Group’s market capitalisation rose by more than £1bn in early trading, reflecting relief across the sector.

The FCA’s recent announcement estimated the total cost of the car finance redress scheme at £8.2bn, easing fears among lenders that the figure could have reached as high as £18bn. This scheme follows a Supreme Court judgement in August which found customers were often left in the dark about hefty commissions paid to dealers, leading to higher interest rates on loans.

An estimated 14 million car finance agreements are potentially affected, with individual motorists set to receive an average of £700 in compensation. The FCA based its projection on a robust 85 per cent participation rate among eligible drivers. Should every eligible customer make a claim, costs could rise to £9.7bn, though the regulator considers this unlikely.

Analysts suggest Lloyds faces an £850m charge from the compensation scheme, while Santander, Barclays and Close Brothers are likely to incur costs of £350m, £80m and £170m respectively. Banking shares had suffered over the past year due to uncertainty surrounding the car finance mis-selling scandal, but clarity on the scale of redress has prompted a market rebound.

The scandal came to light after the FCA reviewed data from 32 million car finance contracts signed between 2007 and 2024. The regulator found that lenders failed to notify borrowers about commission arrangements between car dealers and the lenders themselves. Lack of transparency denied consumers the chance to secure better loan deals and exposed them to inflated interest charges.

Following the Supreme Court verdict and regulatory review, payouts are expected to begin next year. While at least four million customers have already raised complaints, the scheme opens the door for another ten million motorists to seek redress. The full impact will become clear as the scheme rolls out, but confidence in the sector has already received an immediate boost from the latest FCA guidance.