A lender that wants a quick sale may push a borrower to sign before reading the paperwork, offer more than was asked for, or suggest that a new loan will reduce existing repayments. Rule CONC 4.8 in the FCA’s Consumer Credit sourcebook restricts all three practices for firms that lend to consumers. The rules apply across the UK, and this guide is general information, not advice on a particular offer.
Where the rule applies
CONC 4.8.1R says the section applies to a firm carrying on consumer credit lending. It sits in the part of the sourcebook that covers what happens before a credit agreement is made, alongside the disclosure and explanation duties in CONC 4.2. The rules in CONC 4.8 are aimed at lenders themselves, not at the borrower’s own conduct.
Rushing the borrower
CONC 4.8.2R says a firm must not unfairly encourage, incentivise or induce a customer to enter into a regulated credit agreement quickly without allowing the customer time to consider two things. For most regulated agreements, these are the pre-contract information under section 55 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the explanations provided under CONC 4.2.5R. For a regulated deferred payment credit agreement, the rule refers instead to the information given or made available under CONC 4.2A.3R(1). The FCA Handbook shows that the rule is dated 15 July 2026, so the deferred payment wording is part of the current text.
CONC 4.8.3G adds that stating an end date for a promotion would not amount to the behaviour prohibited by CONC 4.8.2R. A limited-time offer is therefore not itself unlawful, but pressure that stops the borrower from considering the documents is.
What the borrower is entitled to consider
CONC 4.2.5R requires a firm, before making a regulated credit agreement, to provide an adequate explanation of specified matters so the customer can assess whether the agreement is adapted to the customer’s needs and financial situation. It also requires the firm to advise the customer to consider the information disclosed under section 55 of the 1974 Act and, where that information is given in person, to tell the customer that it can be taken away. The firm must give the customer an opportunity to ask questions. These are the materials that CONC 4.8.2R protects the time to consider. The explanations are covered in more detail in the guide to adequate explanations before you sign.
Under section 55 of the 1974 Act, if the disclosure regulations are not complied with, the agreement is enforceable against the borrower on an order of the court only, and retaking goods or land counts as enforcement. The wider consequences of an agreement made without proper paperwork are described in the guide to improperly executed credit agreements.
Encouraging a larger loan than requested
CONC 4.8.4R says a firm must not unfairly encourage, incentivise or induce a customer to enter into a regulated credit agreement for an amount higher than the customer requests. The guidance in CONC 4.8.5G explains the limit of the rule. Merely offering more credit than the customer asked for would not amount to the prohibited behaviour where the offer was based on a proper creditworthiness assessment, or where the firm offers more advantageous terms, conditions or prices for larger loans, provided the offers are sufficiently transparent and a proper creditworthiness assessment has been carried out, and the customer was not pressurised or unfairly coerced into accepting the higher amount. A borrower who is told that a larger loan is "the only option" may want to ask for a quote for the amount originally requested. The assessment duties are covered in the guide to affordability checks.
Misleading claims about lower repayments
CONC 4.8.6R says a firm must not lead a customer to believe that the customer’s current debt repayments can be reduced under a regulated credit agreement over the same term when this is not the case. Borrowers weighing a new loan against existing debts can use the guide to debt consolidation loans, which explains the risk of rolling debt together.
FAQs
Can a lender set a deadline on an offer?
CONC 4.8.3G says stating an end date for a promotion would not amount to unfairly rushing a customer, but the firm must still allow time to consider the pre-contract information and explanations.
Is it against the rules to offer me more than I asked for?
Not by itself. CONC 4.8.5G says merely offering more can be acceptable where it rests on a proper creditworthiness assessment and the customer is not pressurised or coerced. CONC 4.8.4R prohibits unfairly encouraging a higher amount.
Can a lender imply a new loan cuts my payments?
Not where that is untrue. CONC 4.8.6R bars leading a customer to believe current repayments can be reduced over the same term when they cannot.
The bottom line
CONC 4.8 stops lenders from unfairly rushing a customer past the pre-contract information and explanations, from unfairly encouraging a larger loan than the one requested, and from implying that repayments can be cut over the same term when they cannot. Stating a promotion end date is not itself a breach. Anyone who feels pressured can ask for time and for the documents to be provided. This is general information, not legal advice.