The FCA’s recent blog, “Why stronger Buy Now Pay Later protections are the right step for consumers,” marks an important moment for the future of BNPL — one that gives customers greater confidence and helps responsible retailers offer finance in the right way.
From 15 July 2026, BNPL Deferred Payment Credit will be brought into full FCA regulation, introducing stronger and more consistent customer protections across the market.
At Buyline, we welcome this change because it reflects how we believe responsible finance should work: simple, transparent and built around good customer outcomes. We also understand that retailers need more than a lender — they need a partner who can help them navigate regulation with confidence.
Why the FCA is making these changes
BNPL has become part of everyday spending for many people. FCA research found that around 1 in 5 UK adults — approximately 10.9 million people — used BNPL at least once in the 12 months to May 2024, up from 17% in 2022.
That growth is one of the reasons the FCA is focused on making sure customers can use BNPL with confidence, supported by safeguards that reflect the fact it is still a form of credit.
The key issues the FCA is addressing are:
• Customers taking on more credit than they can afford
• A lack of consistent affordability checks
• Limited access to complaints and redress mechanisms
• The risk that “frictionless” journeys can lead to uninformed decisions
The aim is not to restrict access to BNPL, but to make sure customers understand what they are agreeing to and can repay in a way that is manageable.
What stronger protections mean in practice
The new framework builds BNPL around existing, well-established credit standards — particularly Consumer Duty. Customers will benefit from:
• Clear, upfront information about payments and obligations
• Affordability checks to ensure borrowing is sustainable
• Support if they experience financial difficulty
• The ability to escalate complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
• Additional protections such as Section 75, where applicable
These are the same protections customers expect from other regulated credit products — now consistently applied to BNPL.
What this means for retailers
For retailers, this is more than a regulatory change. It is an opportunity to offer finance in a way that gives customers confidence, builds trust at checkout and supports long-term growth.
Stronger protections mean:
• Customers feel more confident at checkout
• Greater trust in your finance offering
• More informed purchase decisions
• A more sustainable BNPL model over time
In simple terms, stronger protections help customers feel more confident — and that can support better outcomes for your business too.
Buyline’s approach: aligned from the start
At Buyline, we’ve always believed BNPL should be treated as proper, responsible lending.That means we’ve already embedded:
• Affordability and creditworthiness checks
• Clear, simple customer communications
• Strong complaints handling and support processes
• Ongoing monitoring of customer outcomes and behaviour
In many ways, the FCA’s new rules formalise the standards we already operate to. We have also completed a regulatory readiness programme to support the transition, including:
• Updated customer documentation and disclosures
• Enhanced partner guidance and financial promotion controls
• Strengthened MI, governance and Consumer Duty reporting
A word from our Head of Compliance
Sarah Dunford, Head of Compliance at Buyline, comments:
“We’ve always treated our BNPL customers in the same way as those using regulated credit — making sure they receive clear information, appropriate affordability checks, and the right support throughout their journey.
What regulation now introduces is an additional layer of protection. Customers can escalate complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service and, where applicable, benefit from Section 75 protections. That’s a really positive step in building trust and confidence in BNPL — for both customers and our retail partners.”
Supporting you through this change
We understand that regulation can feel complex — but our role is to make it simple.
We are supporting our partners with:
• Clear, compliant BNPL messaging and checkout wording
• Practical guidance on financial promotions
• Ongoing training and support
• Simple frameworks to ensure communications are clear, fair and not misleading
You can continue to focus on serving your customers and growing your business, while Buyline supports the finance journey behind the scenes — helping ensure it remains clear, compliant and aligned with FCA expectations.
Looking ahead
The FCA has been clear: BNPL should continue to play a valuable role — but within a framework that delivers good customer outcomes.
For lenders and retailers alike, this is a shift towards:
• Greater accountability
• Better customer understanding
• Stronger trust in the product
At Buyline, we believe this is exactly what the market needs. Stronger protections do not limit BNPL. They help it work better for everyone. For retailers, now is the right time to choose a finance partner that understands regulation and can make responsible lending simple.
If you are a retailer looking for a responsible, customer-focused finance partner, Buyline can help you offer flexible payment options with confidence. Our approach combines simple customer journeys, clear regulatory support and practical partner guidance, so you can focus on growing your business while knowing your finance offering is clear, compliant and built to support long-term customer trust.
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