Blog
Pre-payment debt has increased 100% to £1bn since Q4-21
Over the past two years we’ve seen pre-payment meter (PPM) debts continuing to rise, and as of Q3-2023 they now stand at £1bn The amount of customers using their PPM to repay a debt has risen by 40% (up 220k to 750k), and the average debt balances have also risen by 40% (up £400 to £1,300) - resulting in a 100% (up £500m to £1bn) increase in total pre-payment meter debt.
Using machine learning to predict and prevent customer delinquency
During a recent engagement with a large Energy retailer, we helped their Debt team to apply machine learning analysis within the customer base, identifying trends to predict (and later prevent) delinquency. With a new insight into which customers may face financial difficulty, the supplier was able to implement pre-emptive support, through improved segmentation and tailored customer journeys.
Total Ofgem reported debt is now at ~£3bn for Q3-2023
Total Ofgem reported debt is now at ~£3bn for Q3-2023, 50% (~£1bn) higher than Q3-2022. The primary driver is an £800m increase from accounts without No Arrangement in place to repay their debt.
Difficult Conversations – Equipping collections agents for optimal support
With Christmas on the horizon, consumer spending is set to face its usual seasonal increase, adding extra pressure to critical areas like credit card payments and energy bills. Inevitably, some consumers will find themselves in financial difficulty over the coming months, leading to more collections conversations with their service provider.
Most customers worse off due to Jan 2024 Energy Price Cap
OFGEM have released their updated Energy Price Cap figures for Q1-24, and our modelling predicts this will make most customers worse off compared to Q1-23.
Customer indebtedness is set to worsen this winter
Customer indebtedness is growing at an unsustainable rate. And it’s projected to get worse as we head into winter. Analysis from our Market Insights supports this, highlighting three key points, which we’ve explored further in this blog.
An update on B2B Credit Risk
Business deaths have begun to decline from a peak position in late 2021 and early 2022 – the latent effect of the pandemic on business viability has potentially now passed. However, businesses continue to operate in challenging circumstances with economic pressures weighing heavily.
Are you facing a cash gap in Smart prepayment?
On the whole, Smart metering has been welcomed by suppliers. However, as we’ll cover in this blog, there are growing problems in the Smart PAYGO space, where challenges with technology, process, and customer behaviour are leaving suppliers financially exposed.
Getting ‘winter ready’ – Weatherproof your pre-delinquency strategy
As we conclude what’s been a turbulent British summer, the uncertainty of autumn and winter is fast approaching, with our projections showing this will be another challenging period for customers. Due to government support being withdrawn, customers are likely to receive higher bills in winter 23 than in the same period last year.
Dropping Prices - Rising Bills. Energy Price Cap Analysis.
Based on the latest update from Ofgem , the BFY Group team have modelled that prices will remain around £2,000 per year. The forecast £450 reduction in the headline rates won't be felt as a £450 saving customers pockets, this is because OFGEM have to articulate an annual value based on prices for a quarterly window.
Improving debt maturity in a challenging Water industry
In Water, B2B suppliers are facing a battle to be 'front of wallet', as the economic crisis continues to increase pressure on collections processes. To maintain stability, improvements to internal debt capabilities are essential.
Energy Bills Projected To Rise Despite EPG Extension
It's great news that Jeremy Hunt has extended EPG for a further 3 months at £2,500 - however the amounts customers pay is still projected to increase.
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