FCA reveals the financial experiences of people in the UK: The South West has the highest proportion of adults overdrawn in the last 12 months compared to rest of UK

Today’s report finds that overdraft use is higher in the South West (29%) than the UK average (25%). However, a lower proportion of adults use motor finance (7% vs. the UK average of 10%) or have a high-cost loan (4% vs. the UK average of 6%).

Financial Lives is the FCA’s survey of nearly 13,000 adults and is the largest tracking survey in the UK specifically looking at consumers and their use of financial services.

The report shows a number of differences in how people in different areas of the UK, including the South West, experience financial services, such as:

• A lower proportion of adults in the South West have no savings or investments - 9% vs. the UK average of 12%.
• The proportion of adults in the South West with characteristics of potential vulnerability is lower than the national average - 46% compared to 50%. 
• 6% of adults in the region are ‘in difficulty’ and 13% are over-indebted. These figures are similar to the UK average.
• On average, adults in the region owe £3,500 in unsecured debt. This is higher than the average of £3,320 owed by adults in the rest of the UK.

Andrew Bailey, FCA Chief Executive, said: 'This survey shows just how different the experience of financial services is for consumers across the country. That’s important for us, as we shape financial services policy. But it is also important for firms, as they decide how best to serve their customers.'

The FCA has released weighted data tables which provide details of the survey findings so that local decision-makers and other organisations can use the information to consider what they can do to help support people who may be struggling financially. The FCA’s previous Financial Lives report told the financial story for six different age groups to show key themes at each life stage.

Notes to editors

1. Read the FCA’s June 2018 report, The financial lives of consumers across the UK[1]
2. Read the Financial Lives 2017 report, Understanding the financial lives of UK adults[2]
3. Potential vulnerability refers to those adults who may suffer disproportionately if things go wrong because they have low financial resilience. It also covers those who may be less able to engage with their finances or with financial services. The reasons for this can vary from suffering a recent life event (such as redundancy, bereavement or divorce), low financial capability, or a health‑related problem that affects a person’s day‑to‑day activities a lot. Being defined as potentially vulnerable does not mean someone will necessarily suffer harm.
4. ‘In difficulty’ refers to adults who are the least financially resilient, as they have already missed paying domestic bills or meeting credit commitments in at least three of the last six months.
5. Over-indebtedness is defined as considering a heavy burden keeping up with domestic bills and credit commitments, or missing any credit commitments and/ or any domestic bills in any three or more of the last six months.
6. On 1 April 2013, the FCA became responsible for the conduct supervision of all regulated financial firms and the prudential supervision of those not supervised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
7. The FCA has an overarching strategic objective of ensuring the relevant markets function well. To support this it has three operational objectives: to secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; to protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system; and to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers.
8. Find out more information about the FCA[3].