An update on credit cards

We’ve been contacted by several Islanders in recent weeks who are still unable to obtain credit cards, despite credit reference agencies now having secure access to Islanders’ data through new data-sharing arrangements. Since our last update in July, where we answered consumers’ questions about the new credit data-sharing arrangements, we’ve been told that Islanders are still being refused access to credit cards from providers such as American Express, John Lewis and Barclaycard.

Understandably, some consumers are asking whether the new system is working and why they are not yet seeing any change.

The short answer is that it may simply be too early to tell.

The ‘opt-out’ window for Islanders who didn’t want their basic personal information shared with UK credit reference agencies only closed on 29 July, and it was only after that point that credit reference agencies were able to begin accessing the relevant data. As a result, the market has had very little time to respond.

The Government representatives responsible for delivering the project told us: "The Government has successfully delivered a project to share Islanders' data with credit reference agencies. This removed a longstanding barrier which made it difficult for some Islanders to get credit cards and other financial products.

“Access to this data means credit providers can more effectively carry out the identity and credit checks they are required to complete before offering their products. This was a key issue identified by the industry as an obstacle to providing credit cards in Jersey, and it has now been resolved.

“It remains a commercial decision for providers to decide whether to offer their products or services, including credit cards, in Jersey. The Government has engaged with providers throughout this process to make clear the consumer demand for their products in Jersey and will continue to do so."

This final point is important. While a significant obstacle has now been removed, there is no obligation on any individual lender to re-enter the Jersey market or expand the range of products it offers to Islanders. Those decisions remain commercial ones for each company.

That said, the changes were introduced to address a problem that both consumers and the industry had identified for many years. The hope is that, with access to the necessary identity information, more providers will be willing to offer their products to Jersey residents in the future.

We remain optimistic that the coming months will provide a clearer picture and that Islanders will begin to see greater choice within the credit market.

In the meantime, we will continue to monitor developments, engage with the Government and industry stakeholders, and listen to the experiences of consumers.

Meanwhile, some consumers remain concerned about what information is actually being shared with UK credit reference agencies.

The data being shared consists only of basic identifying information – namely an Islander's name, address and date of birth. This information allows credit providers and credit reference agencies to verify a person's identity and carry out the checks required before offering financial products. No detailed financial information is being provided.

For more information, check out this article.

If you have applied for a credit card or other financial product since the introduction of the new arrangements, we would be interested to hear about your experience. We’d particularly like to know if you have been accepted for a credit card since August 2026.