PRA Group and StepChange Unite Stakeholders in UK Parliament to Strengthen Financial Inclusion

PRA Group (Nasdaq: PRAA) and StepChange convened a UK policy roundtable at the House of Lords on March 12, 2026, hosted by MP Gill Furniss to advance financial inclusion ahead of Debt Awareness Week.

Rhea-AI Summary

PRA Group (Nasdaq: PRAA) and StepChange convened a UK policy roundtable at the House of Lords on March 12, 2026, hosted by MP Gill Furniss to advance financial inclusion ahead of Debt Awareness Week.

Participants included banks, fintechs, regulators and charities; discussions and joint research focused on credit scoring, access to safe affordable finance, and improving outcomes for people recovering from problem debt.

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News Market Reaction – PRAA

In the Mar 25 session, PRAA gained 0.11%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights PRA Group’s collaboration with StepChange and UK policymakers to improv...

Analysis

This announcement highlights PRA Group’s collaboration with StepChange and UK policymakers to improve financial inclusion and support people in debt, reinforcing its positioning within the broader credit ecosystem. Recent history shows investors reacted most strongly to concrete fundamentals, such as the Q4 2025 results that moved shares 24.31%, while conference and capital-markets updates had more modest effects. This kind of policy roundtable mainly strengthens relationships and reputation; investors may watch upcoming earnings, portfolio performance, and regulatory filings for clearer financial impact.

Key Figures

UK roundtable date: 12 March 2026

UK roundtable date

12 March 2026

Policy roundtable at Palace of Westminster

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 26

5 events

1. Feb 26

   Earnings results

   24h Move

   +24.3%

   Q4 and 2025 results with higher cash collections and Adjusted EBITDA.

2. Feb 24

   Conference appearance

   24h Move

   +8.1%

   Announcement of Raymond James institutional investor conference presentation.

3. Feb 23

   Earnings date set

   24h Move

   +3.8%

   Scheduling of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and webcast.

4. Jan 30

   Office expansion

   24h Move

   +0.0%

   Announcement of new Uptown Charlotte office to expand talent hub network.

5. Dec 09

   Debt offering

   24h Move

   -0.6%

   Proposed €300M senior notes due 2032 to refinance revolving borrowings.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

nonperforming loans, fintechs, credit reference agencies, credit scoring, +1 more

5 terms

nonperforming loans financial

"a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans"

Nonperforming loans are loans on which borrowers have stopped making the scheduled interest or principal payments for an extended period (commonly 90 days or more) or are otherwise in serious danger of default. Think of them as IOUs that aren’t being repaid: they tie up a lender’s money, reduce future interest income, and force the lender to hold extra reserves or take losses. For investors, a rising share of nonperforming loans signals weakening credit quality, higher potential losses, and greater risk to a bank’s profitability and capital.

fintechs financial

"including banks, fintechs, credit reference agencies, not-for-profit organizations"

Fintechs are companies that use software and digital tools to deliver or improve financial services—such as payments, banking, lending, investing or insurance—often offering faster, cheaper or more convenient alternatives to traditional providers. For investors, fintechs matter because they can quickly reshape markets and capture growth like a new app that upends an old service, but they also face special risks from regulation, technology failures and intense competition.

credit reference agencies financial

"including banks, fintechs, credit reference agencies, not-for-profit organizations"

Organizations that gather and organize information about how individuals and companies borrow and repay money, then produce credit reports and scores that summarize that history. Think of them as a referee or report card for credit: lenders and investors use their reports to judge how risky it is to lend to or invest in someone, which affects interest rates, investment decisions and the perceived stability of markets.

credit scoring financial

"This work includes exploring how credit scoring influences access to finance"

A credit scoring system assigns a numerical grade to an individual or organization based on their history of repaying loans and handling debt, like a report card or driving record that summarizes trustworthiness. Investors care because credit scores influence a borrower's interest rates, access to capital and likelihood of default; that in turn affects a lender's returns, a company's financing costs and the perceived risk and value of securities tied to that borrower.

credit scores financial

"many customers link their credit scores with feelings of control, normality"

A credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes how reliably an individual or company has repaid borrowed money, like a quick report card for borrowing. Investors care because these scores signal the likelihood of default and affect borrowing costs, which influence a borrower’s cash flow and the value or risk of loans, bonds, and lending-related investments—similar to using a weather forecast to judge the chance of storms.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Cross‑sector dialogue highlights practical ways to support people in financial difficulty

NORFOLK, Va., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PRA Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRAA), a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, has once again partnered with StepChange Debt Charity, the United Kingdom's largest debt advice charity, to advance financial inclusion for consumers across the UK.

For the second consecutive year, just ahead of Debt Awareness Week, PRA Group and StepChange convened stakeholders for a policy roundtable at the House of Lords. The event, held on 12 March 2026 at the Palace of Westminster, was hosted by Gill Furniss, Member of Parliament and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Debt and Financial Inclusion.

The roundtable brought together leaders from across the financial ecosystem, including banks, fintechs, credit reference agencies, not-for-profit organizations, think tanks, academics, trade organizations, regulators and government bodies. Discussions centered on the UK's financial inclusion strategy, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for people in debt and expanding access to safe, affordable finance.

PRA Group UK and StepChange continue to collaborate on consumer-focused research aimed at better understanding the challenges facing people in financial difficulty. This work includes exploring how credit scoring influences access to finance and identifying opportunities to strengthen support for households managing debt.

The research finds many customers link their credit scores with feelings of control, normality and self-worth, citing access to credit for emergencies and unexpected costs as factors that shape their mindset. Furthermore, customers who have committed to affordable debt repayments and developed regular payment habits often do not obtain suitable finance at a price that reflects their real risk and creditworthiness.

"Defaulting on payments can affect credit scores for a long time, even for temporary difficulties. We know that people recovering from problem debt remain financially vulnerable and can be pushed back into financial difficulties by lumpy and unexpected expenses," said Peter Tutton, director of policy, research and public affairs at StepChange. "There is a real need for access to safe, affordable credit. So, it is no surprise our survey data shows that people recovering from problem debt would like to improve their credit scores."

"As a trusted partner to banks and lenders with three decades of experience helping customers resolve their debt, PRA Group is proud to work alongside StepChange to advance thoughtful, evidence‑based approaches to financial inclusion," said Owen James, president of PRA Group Europe. "By bringing together voices from across the financial sector, we can help shape policies that ensure people in financial difficulty receive the support and pathways they need to rebuild financially."

Furniss said, "I am delighted that PRA Group and StepChange have brought experts and decision-makers together here in Parliament. As the government's Financial Inclusion Strategy takes shape, it is vital that key industry players make their voices heard and identify the best ways to support people who are concerned about their finances in the years to come."

About PRA Group

As a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas, Europe and Australia. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit www.pragroup.com.

About StepChange

StepChange Debt Charity is the UK's largest debt advice charity, helping hundreds of thousands of people every year to deal with their debts. Founded in 1993, StepChange supports people experiencing debt problems through telephone and online services, and campaigns for change to reduce the harm and stigma associated with debt.

Media Contact:
Allison Herman
Manager, Public Relations and Strategic Communication
(757) 381-5205
MediaInquiries@PRAGroup.com

Investor Contact:
Najim Mostamand, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
(757) 431-7913
IR@PRAGroup.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pra-group-and-stepchange-unite-stakeholders-in-uk-parliament-to-strengthen-financial-inclusion-302723823.html

SOURCE PRA Group, Inc.

FAQ

What did PRA Group (PRAA) and StepChange discuss at the March 12, 2026 House of Lords roundtable?

They discussed improving financial inclusion and access to safe, affordable credit for people in debt. According to PRA Group, attendees from banks, fintechs, regulators and charities debated credit scoring effects, consumer outcomes and policy options to support households managing debt.

How does the PRA Group and StepChange research describe the impact of credit scores on consumers?

The research links credit scores with control, normality and self-worth for many customers. According to StepChange, survey respondents said access to credit for emergencies affects mindset and that recovering customers often face difficulty obtaining suitably priced finance.

Who hosted the PRA Group and StepChange policy roundtable in Parliament on March 12, 2026?

The event was hosted by MP Gill Furniss, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Debt and Financial Inclusion. According to PRA Group, the meeting convened cross-sector leaders to inform the UK Financial Inclusion Strategy ahead of Debt Awareness Week.

What practical outcomes did PRA Group (PRAA) and StepChange aim for with the UK roundtable?

They aimed to identify evidence-based policy measures to support people in financial difficulty and expand access to safe finance. According to PRA Group, the goal was to shape policies that help people rebuild finances and obtain fair credit.

Will PRA Group and StepChange continue researching consumer debt and credit scoring after the March 2026 meeting?

Yes — they plan ongoing collaboration on consumer-focused research into debt challenges and credit scoring impacts. According to PRA Group, this work seeks to identify opportunities to strengthen support for households managing debt.