Investment & Finance

Excitement and concerns over credit card plans

Some islanders say changes will help but others are worried about their data being shared.

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July 3, 2026
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Excitement and concerns over credit card plans

ByChris CraddockJersey communities reporter

Published41 minutes ago

There has been a mixed response from people in Jersey to personal data changes that could make it easier for islanders to access credit cards.

Jersey’s government said it would securely share islanders’ personal data, unless they opt out, to improve access to financial products.

Some people said they were excited by the changes, while others said they were concerned personal data would be shared with UK credit reference agencies unless they opt out of the plans that come into force from 30 July.

It would include names, residential addresses and dates of birth, and it had been seen as the main barrier to successful credit card applications.

Mark is wearing glasses and a dark green graphic T-shirt sits on a wooden bench outdoors. The background features a beige stone wall and a doorway, with bright daylight illuminating the scene.

Eilidh Bell, 21, said: “For me it’s definitely a good thing because I’m just like starting my professional career now and I’ll be looking into getting a credit card.”

She added “I know from some friends and parents that it’s been really tricky” and “hopefully it will help with applying for credit cards available to us here”.

But others did not agree with how islanders will have to tell the government that they do not want their data shared.

Mark de Gruchy said “I’d be a bit concerned” and “I think it should be an opt-in situation”.

He added: “If you’re happy with it, then you could say to the government ‘yes, you can do that’ but there’s too much information being shared these days.”

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Carl is in a checked button-down shirt stands in a town square, with bronze cattle sculptures, a large tree and shopfronts visible in the blurred background.

Carl Walker from the Consumer Council highlighted the problem islanders had applying for credit cards in 2020 to the government.

He said “our initial response is one of relief” and “finally islanders will be able to start hopefully applying for credit cards again”.

Walker also reassured islanders who were concerned about their data being shared.

“It’s important to know that people can easily opt out of this if they don’t wish to but also credit reference agencies kind of are at a different level to a standard company.”

He added: “They need this data to process sometimes credit cards, insurance, mortgages, loans, and lots of things, which is very standard practice and there are extremely tight rules about what they can do with that data.”

Sarah has long light-coloured hair stands behind the counter of a café, wearing a black T-shirt and facial piercings. Shelves lined with cups and supplies are visible in the softly blurred background, alongside a glass display case of baked goods

Sarah Jackson, who works at coffee and pizza shop Red House, said she was hopeful the change could help people spend money at businesses.

She said “anything that can help bring money into the island is always important” and “having credit cards gives us another option for payment here”.

“I think it depends how obvious the opt-out option is if it’s something that’s very clearly stated and everyone knows when they’re up for it then good,” Jackson said.

“As long as everything’s regulated and following a certain procedure and you’ve chosen exactly what data you want shared then I’m sure it’s fine for people in general.”

Those who do not want their personal data shared can email customerservice@gov.je with subject header “OPT OUT” along with their full name, address and date of birth, or phone 01534 444444 and select option 6.

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