Loqbox and Blackbullion partner to help students build stronger financial futures (without taking on debt)

The new partnership will bring credit-building tools and financial education to more than 450,000 students across the UK.

For many students in the UK today, financial stress has become a part of everyday life (maybe more than ever before). 

Loqbox and Blackbullion have partnered to help students build stronger financial futures through accessible credit-building tools and curriculum-linked financial education.

The partnership will support more than 450,000 students across 100+ UK universities, colleges and businesses. We’re aiming to give young people practical financial skills and the opportunity to start building credit responsibly while they study.

Students are under growing financial pressure

Students are facing rising accommodation costs, increasing debt burdens and ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Blackbullion’s research shows that 88% of UK students feel hopeless about their financial situation, while Loqbox research found that 64% of Gen Z wish they had learned more about bills and personal finance before leaving home.

At the same time, many young adults are leaving education without understanding how credit works or how to build a healthy credit history.

That gap matters. A strong credit profile can affect access to housing, mobile phone contracts, fairer borrowing rates and future financial opportunities long after graduation.

Combining financial education with practical credit-building tools

Blackbullion is the UK’s leading student financial wellbeing ecosystem, helping students learn about money, access funding, and manage their finances with confidence.

Loqbox helps people build their credit histories through tools designed to strengthen financial resilience without taking on additional debt.

Together, the partnership gives students both the knowledge and the practical tools needed to build healthier financial habits early.

Tom Eyre on the partnership

Loqbox’s CEO and Co-founder, Tom Eyre, said:

“Our mission at Loqbox has always been to help people access a richer life. For students, that feels particularly urgent. Too many are entering adulthood already feeling behind, in a financial system nobody has properly explained to them. 

Blackbullion has spent years earning the trust of students, and we share the same belief: understanding money and being able to do something with that understanding are two very different things. 

We love Blackbullion's mission to help young people to achieve their dreams by becoming money smart. We're excited that this partnership will help elevate students' ability to gain the knowledge, confidence and credit foundations to take control of their financial futures and thrive.”

“Closing the gap between financial education and financial identity”

Vivi Friedgut, CEO and Founder of Blackbullion, says of the partnership:

“Blackbullion is the home of student money. We only partner with companies that add real value and share our values - because 450,000 students trust us to help them build solid financial foundations. 

That’s why we’re excited to partner with Loqbox, the UK’s leading credit-building tool. Together we’re closing the gap between financial education and financial identity - giving students the foundation they need before they need it.”

Credit-building without borrowing

Traditional credit-building products often rely on borrowing or taking on additional financial commitments.

Loqbox offers a different approach. Through products designed around regular saving and repayment behaviour, members can build their credit histories while developing healthier financial habits.

The partnership also comes as universities and student support organisations place increasing focus on financial wellbeing, recognising the impact financial stress can have on student welfare, mental health and retention.

About Loqbox

Loqbox is building better borrowers. Winner of “Best Credit Building Service” at the 2025 Finder Awards, Loqbox offers a range of innovative personal finance tools designed to help people strengthen their credit histories, access financial opportunities and enjoy a happier, healthier relationship with money.

Today, Loqbox has empowered more than 1 million people to take control of their finances while they save and build their credit with the UK’s three main credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

About Blackbullion

Blackbullion is on a mission to provide the infrastructure to recruit and retain students through scalable, sustainable financial support.

Trusted by 100+ universities, colleges and businesses to change the lives of the 450,000+ students using Blackbullion to learn about money, find more money and manage their money confidently.