Santander will take part in a compensation scheme for customers affected by mis-sold motor finance agreements. The bank’s participation is part of a wider Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) programme expected to provide billions of pounds in payments to affected consumers.
Santander Joins FCA Motor Finance Compensation Scheme
Santander has confirmed that it will participate in the Financial Conduct Authority’s redress scheme covering customers who were affected by unfair motor finance arrangements. The scheme follows the FCA’s decision to address around 12.1 million motor finance agreements issued by various lenders between April 6, 2007, and November 1, 2024.
The regulator estimates that total compensation could reach around £7.5 billion, with eligible customers expected to receive an average payment of approximately £829 per agreement.
Discretionary Commission Arrangements at the Centre of Claims
Most cases covered by the scheme involve Discretionary Commission Arrangements (DCAs), a practice banned by the FCA in 2021. Under these agreements, some brokers and car dealers could increase interest rates on finance contracts, which could result in higher commissions for themselves.
The FCA found that many customers were not aware of these arrangements and may not have had enough information to compare available finance options. The compensation scheme aims to address cases where customers were treated unfairly under these lending practices.
Payments to Begin as Claims Are Processed
The FCA said customers who have already submitted complaints are likely to be prioritised as payments begin. Most cases are expected to be resolved by the end of 2027. The final scheme was developed after a consultation process that received more than 1,000 responses from consumer groups, politicians, lenders and industry organisations.
The proposal has faced criticism from different sides. Consumer groups have argued that compensation levels may not fully reflect customer losses, while lenders have raised concerns about the financial cost of the programme.
Santander Chooses to Participate Despite Concerns
Santander said joining the scheme was a decision aimed at providing greater clarity for customers and stakeholders. The bank said it would focus on putting the programme into practice rather than challenging the framework.
The lender also confirmed that it will continue working with regulators and policymakers on changes affecting the UK motor finance sector. The FCA has adjusted the scheme’s rules to focus compensation on customers who experienced unfair treatment. The regulator also expects around one-third of claims to be subject to a payment cap to avoid excessive compensation.
The Santander decision marks another step in the process of resolving one of the largest consumer finance disputes in the UK, with millions of agreements now under review.
