Chris Lilly is a personal finance expert and specialises in helping UK consumers untangle the features and costs of a range of financial products. Having started out with the Press Association, Chris initially joined Finder to focus on credit cards and personal loans.
Expertise
- Loans & credit cards
- Building credit
- Financial health
- Share trading
Experience
- Author of over 500 articles on personal and business finance
- Featured in leading publications including the Metro and Express
- Interviewed key stakeholders in the lending industry, including Klarna’s senior commercial director, Russ Carroll, and Julia McColl, commercial director at Chetwood Financial
Education
- Drawing & Applied Arts | University of the West of England
- Foundation Diploma in Art & Design | Falmouth College of Arts
Featured publications
Industry insights from Chris Lilly
We asked Chris to share some insights on what’s shaking up the world of personal finance.
Are Brits getting savvier about their credit records?
It’s becoming more common to take control of your credit – getting to know what’s in your credit file and tracking your score from month to month. Consumers don’t expect to have to pay for this privilege, and thankfully they don’t have to.
How is Open Banking reshaping consumer lending?
Open Banking means borrowers can connect their bank accounts to finance apps, which can make it easier to demonstrate that they’re responsible with their money and would be able to afford credit. It’s also allowed innovative lenders to proactively suggest cheaper lines of credit which would save consumers money compared with expensive alternatives like overdrafts.
What is the new face of short-term borrowing?
While Wonga and many of its peers were biting the dust, some innovative fintechs started exploring new ways to help consumers bridge financial shortfalls, without it costing an arm and a leg. Salary advance services like Neyber and Salary Finance are looking at unlocking earned wages (so you don’t always have to wait until the end of the month), buy now, pay later services are letting shoppers spread payments, and innovative credit line services like Creditspring help consumers prepare for a rainy day with a more insurance-like approach.
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