UK watchdog to add car finance to pandemic loan relief measures

LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - The Financial Conduct Authority
said on Thursday it would add car financing to the temporary
relief measures aimed at supporting households facing sudden
financial hardship as result of the coronavirus.

As expected, the FCA also confirmed proposals set out last
week requiring banks to offer a three-month payment freezes on
loans and credit card debt.

"We know there is still more work to be done, and we will be
announcing further measures to support consumers in other parts
of the credit market in the future, including in the motor
finance sector next week," FCA Interim Chief Executive
Christopher Woolard said in a statement.

"Customers should think carefully before making use of these
measures and only do so if they need immediate help. Where they
can still afford to make payments, they should continue to do
so," Woolard said.

The full range of measures will apply by April 14 to allow
banks time to ensure they have enough resources in place to
handle customer requests, the FCA said.

"All firms will be ready to receive customer requests by 14
April, although some firms including the major banks and
building societies, will be adopting the changes today," the
watchdog said.
(Reporting by Huw Jones, editing by Sinead Cruise)