Consumer credit awards winners 2025

Today we revealed the winners of our Consumer credit awards 2025 in a digital announcement on our LinkedIn channel.

Now in their tenth year, the Consumer credit awards recognise the achievements of the credit industry, including loan providers, credit unions, credit information partners, retail finance and more. It’s up to consumers to vote, making the awards both unique and a true endorsement of customer satisfaction. 

StepChange were this year’s big winners, taking home both the ‘Company of the year’ and the ‘Best financial support provider’ awards, testament to the support StepChange provides to thousands of people across the UK every year.  Enterprise Credit Union also won multiple awards, picking up both the Credit union of the year and Best credit union (North).

Zable was awarded ‘Best credit app’ and ‘Best credit building product provider’ whilst First Response Finance won the ‘Best car finance provider’ award for the fifth year in a row. 

Other awards went to Acorn Community Bank, Central Credit Union, Payl8r and TransUnion UK.

This year’s awards have been as competitive as ever, with over 93,000 reviews left for the 16 categories across 18 weeks.

Commenting on the results, Smart Money People’s CEO Jacqueline Dewey said: “With inflationary pressures still impacting household budgets, the credit industry plays a vital role in helping consumers manage their finances. These awards recognise the companies and teams that have shown exceptional commitment and innovation in supporting their customers through ongoing economic uncertainty and financial challenges.

“Thanks to the data we collect with our reviews, the Consumer credit awards are an endorsement of customers’ experiences, and a symbol of the industry’s very best companies. The awards are completely down to the voice of the customer and the reviews we receive on Smart Money People. There’s no judging panel, making the achievement all the more special. Both the finalists and the winners of the awards this year’s awards should be extremely proud of these achievements.”

Here’s the full list of our Consumer credit awards 2025 winning companies:

Headline awards

Company of the year – StepChange

Credit union of the year – Enterprise Credit Union

Best credit app – Zable

Customer service champion – East Kilbride Credit Union

Treating customers fairly champion – HEY Credit Union (highly commended – The Money Co-op)

Credit-specific awards

Best car finance provider - First Response Finance

Best credit building product provider - Zable

Best credit union (North) – Enterprise Credit Union

Best credit union (South) - Acorn Community Bank

Best credit union loan provider – Central Credit Union (highly commended – Northern Community Bank)

Best retail finance provider – Payl8r (highly commended – PayPal Credit)

Best financial support provider – StepChange

Best short-term loan provider – Lending Stream

Partner awards

Technology partner of the year - LendingMetrics

Credit information partner of the year – TransUnion UK

Open banking partner of the year - Yapily

The Consumer credit awards will be back in 2026!

Voting will open for the eleventh Consumer credit awards on 7 April 2026, so save the date!