Money Marketing
Paul Thomas Editorial

Lloyds to make £450m from selling 15% stake in SJP

23 May 2013

The sale will take place on 29 May.

Nationwide achieves largest ever mortgage market share

22 May 2013

Lender’s gross lending increases gross lending 16.8 per cent in the year to 4 April.

CML: Mortgage market experiences strongest April since 2008

21 May 2013

£12.1bn advanced to borrowers in April, up from £11.6bn in March.

Barclays to cut Help to Buy deal by 0.5% and launch lowest-ever 5-year fix

20 May 2013

Lender is also pulling its Help to Buy 4.99 per cent five-year fixed rate tomorrow.

BSA appoints Skipton chief as chairman

16 May 2013

Nationwide’s Graham Beale has taken on the role of deputy chair.

Scot Wids hires L&G RDR director to lead intermediary protection offering

16 May 2013

The provider is looking to re-enter the intermediary protection market towards the end of 2014.

Scot Wids hires L&G RDR director to lead intermediary protection offering

14 May 2013

The provider is looking to re-enter the intermediary protection market towards the end of 2014.

West Brom cuts maximum age at end of term to 70

14 May 2013

Building society has also relaxed its income multiples and tweaked its interest-only criteria.

Repossessions fall 17% in Q1

9 May 2013

In the first quarter there were 8,000 repossessions, compared with 9,600 in Q1, 2012.

Citizens Advice slams payday lenders for lack of affordability checks

9 May 2013

Lenders did not check if loan was affordable in two-thirds of cases.

Barclays in bid to boost new-build market share

8 May 2013

Money Marketing understands the lender is looking to increase its maximum LTV on new-builds.

HIV sufferers more aware of life insurance options

7 May 2013

A year ago only 20 per cent were aware they could get life insurance.

Matthew Wyles joins Castle Trust

7 May 2013

Former Nationwide group distribution director Wyles was CML chairman between 2009 and 2010.

FCA sets out proposals for handling interest-only borrowers

2 May 2013

The FCA says lenders need to detail the number of interest-only borrowers at risk of not being able to repay their loans and produce a formal plan for how to deal with them.

Lenders commit to targeted interest-only communications campaign

2 May 2013

The CML says lenders recognise they have a valuable role to play in helping their customers to plan ahead.

Judge dismisses mortgage misselling case as client was 'negligent'

1 May 2013

The court found although the broker breached his duties, the client was “guilty of contributory negligence”.

BoE extends Funding for Lending scheme by a year

24 Apr 2013

Incentives on offer to increase lending have been “heavily skewed” in favour of lending to SMEs.

Barclays places over 680 ING Direct roles at risk

23 Apr 2013

Staff are on a 90-day consultation.

Skandia re-enters critical illness sector

23 Apr 2013

New CI offering covers 44 conditions and 12 partial payment conditions.

Saffron drops postcode restrictions on 95% LTV FTB deal

19 Apr 2013

Previously, mortgage only available in East of England.

The Mortgage Works to cut BTL proc fees

19 Apr 2013

TMW’s procuration fees could fall by between 2 and 6 basis points.

Ami: MAS will be axed by 2015 if it doesn't improve

17 Apr 2013

Ami chief executive Robert Sinclair says MAS must improve its performance in order to survive.

Legal & General overhauls critical illness product

16 Apr 2013

Provider adds two new conditions to product.

Bright Grey offers a year's free CI cover

15 Apr 2013

First 10,000 life customers will receive a year’s free CI cover worth up to 10 per cent of life policy.

Royal Mail set for flotation later this year

15 Apr 2013

Sunday Times reports float could be at a knock-down price of £2.5bn.

MPC votes to hold base rate and QE

4 Apr 2013

Base rate now held at 0.5% for over four years.

Building societies dominate best buy tables

3 Apr 2013

Building societies now have a market share of 21.5%, nearly double their 2009 low of 12.9%.

Myhomemove appoints Adrian Whittaker as corporate sales director

27 Mar 2013

Whittaker left his position as Abbey’s key accounts director in January.

Budget reaction: Experts warn new Govt MIG scheme will fail without capital relief

21 Mar 2013

The FSA says it is discussing capital relief with the Government.

Chancellor unveils MIGs open to all homebuyers

21 March 2013

Scheme has the capacity to support up to £130bn of higher LTV loans over three years.

Budget 13: Osborne reveals talks with BoE to extend FLS

20 Mar 2013

Chancellor George Osborne says he has held talks with Bank of England about extending Funding for Lending scheme.

Budget predictions: Pension liberation, Qrops and tax avoidance in Osborne's sights

18 Mar 2013

Money Marketing’s expert panel give their predictions ahead of Wednesday’s Budget.

First Direct launches market's cheapest five-year fixed rate

15 Mar 2013

Mortgage available at 2.64% up to 65% loan-to-value.

Aegon publishes IP claims data for first time

14 Mar 2013

The provider paid 83 per cent of the IP claims it received in 2012.

Banking Commission urges Govt to increase 'extremely weak' leverage rules

14 March 2013

Committee says leverage ratio should be set by the FPC.

Lifesearch slams providers for 'institutional petty theft'

14 March 2013

Tom Baigrie says providers should respect the relationship between distributors and their clients.

PruProtect sees 40% jump in new protection sales

13 Mar 2013

Total number of policies on risk jumped 56 per cent year-on-year.

Funding for Lending to be 'put on steroids'

12 Mar 2013

The Chancellor and the Lib Dems reportedly want the scheme extended beyond 2013, with a focus on SME lending.

Banking Commission urges Govt to increase 'extremely weak' leverage rules

11 Mar 2013

Committee wants Government to have power for industry-wide separation of banks’ retail and investment arms if ring-fence fails.

BM Solutions joins TMW in scrapping BTL benefits lending restrictions

8 Mar 2013

From today BM Solutions will lend to landlords with tenants on housing benefits.

CML calls for Govt to extend NewBuy beyond 2015

6 Mar 2013

Trade body calls for Government to abolish stamp duty on NewBuy transactions.

HSBC posts £13.7bn profit but sets aside extra £1.5bn for misselling

4 Mar 2013

Profits hit by extra misselling provision and fine by US regulator in money-laundering probe.

Bank of England: Mortgage approvals down 4.1% in January

1 Mar 2013

Gross lending down marginally on December’s total.

TSC appoints team to scrutinise FSA's impending report into HBOS failure

1 Mar 2013

Three-man committee includes former Chelsea BS chief executive Stuart Bernau and former Yorkshire BS chief executive Iain Cornish.

Brokers: Investec Professional Mortgages will struggle due to 'uncompetitive pricing'

28 February 2013

Brokers feel Investec Professional Mortgages’ range is too expensive to compete with the rest of the market.

Nationwide halts new lending to landlords with tenants on housing benefits

27 Feb 2013

Experts warn move could be a reaction to the Government’s upcoming benefit reforms.

Buy-to-let lending reaches highest level in four years

21 February 2013

Buy-to-let lending accounted for 11.5 per cent of total gross lending in 2012, up from 9.8 per cent in 2011.

RBS to offer NewBuy products through intermediaries

21 February 2013

RBS has only offered NewBuy on direct basis to date through subsidiary NatWest.

Investec launches new mortgage lender

20 Feb 2013

Investec Professional Mortgages lends to professionals.

Dudley Building Society drops post code lending restrictions

18 Feb 2013

Previously, building society would only lend to those looking to buy a home in DY and WV post codes.

Buy-to-let lending reaches highest level in four years

14 Feb 2013

Buy-to-let lending accounted for 11.5% of total gross lending in 2012.

Treasury's new bid to boost 95% LTV mortgages

14 February 2013

The Treasury has held talks with trade bodies and lenders to see how mortgage insurance could boost 95% LTV mortgages.

Barclays to axe 3,700 jobs

12 Feb 2013

1,800 jobs will go in the corporate and investment bank and 1,900 from the European retail and business banking arm.

Lowest ever five and two-year fixed rates released

8 Feb 2013

First Direct has launched a five-year fixed rate at 2.69 per cent, while Chelsea Building Society has launched a two-year fixed rate at 1.89 per cent.

MPC defies Chancellor's call to further loosen monetary policy

7 Feb 2013

Base held at 0.5% and QE at £375bn.

Providers deny insurance laws will push up costs for restricted clients

7 Feb 2013

Lifesearch’s Tom Baigrie: “Individual insurers won’t ever publicise their pricing strategy ahead of the event.”

Barclays sets aside a further £1bn to cover misselling claims

7 February 2013

The bank has set aside a further £400m to cover misselling of interest-rate swaps and £600m for PPI misselling.

Barclays sets aside a further £1bn to cover misselling claims

5 Feb 2013

A further £400m set aside to cover misselling of interest-rate swaps and £600m to cover PPI misselling.

Prudential chief exec warns Carney to halt QE or put recovery at risk

4 Feb 2013

Tidjane Thiam warns current monetary policy is “completely anti-growth”.

CI comparison site offers Tenet ARs 20% subscription discount

1 Feb 2013

Tenet approves use of CIExpert for its members.

Tesco Bank launches five-year fix at 2.89%

31 Jan 2013

Lender also launches two-year fixed rate at 2.28% up to 60% LTV.

Lifesearch: New laws will push up protection costs for restricted clients

31 Jan 2013

The Consumer Insurance Act will make changes to the law of agency.

Barclays to slash rates by up to 0.5%

30 Jan 2013

Residential rates to fall by up to 0.5% and buy-to-let by up to 0.3%.

FSA investigates interdeal broker over Libor-rigging

24 Jan 2013

Internal FSA memo shows FSA has dedicated 7 of 50-man team to investigate ICAP.

Barclays to scrap all non-advised mortgage sales

23 Jan 2013

Lender to abandon non-advised sales despite MMR allowing for certain transactions to be execution-only.

Gross lending down 4.2% year-on-year in December

21 Jan 2013

Estimated gross lending total for 2012 is £143bn.

Skipton plans 50% year-on-year increase in mortgage lending

18 Jan 2013

The increase would see the building society advance £1bn to borrowers in the first half of 2013.

Lloyds to ramp up B2L lending in 2013

17 January 2013

Lloyds plans to increase buy-to-let lending as a proportion of total loans from 17 per cent in 2012 to around 21 per cent this year.

Zurich pays out 90% of CI claims in 2012

16 Jan 2013

Critical illness payouts down from 92% in 2011.

Nick Kirwan joins Income Protection Task Force

16 Jan 2013

Kirwan will advise IPTF on public policy and regulatory issues.

Aldermore hits £2bn of lending since opening its doors

15 Jan 2013

Lender advances almost £1bn to residential mortgage customers and £2bn in total.

Average deposit for house purchase reaches £26,500

14 Jan 2013

On average Londoners need to save £72,760, while borrowers in Blackburn need to save £14,470.

Pressure mounts on two RBS executives to quit over Libor-rigging

11 Jan 2013

RBS keen to clean up investment banking arm’s culture as fine looms.

ONS leaves RPI calculation unchanged

10 Jan 2013

However, statistical chiefs opt to publish new index alongside RPI which “meets international standards”.

Three brokers to stand trial over £1m mortgage fraud

9 Jan 2013

Three brokers, two valuers and a solicitor plead not guilty to allegations.

Ageas in senior management shake up

8 Jan 2013

Ageas UK chief executive Barry Smith becomes group operating officer.

Adrian Whittaker to leave Abbey after sales team restructure

4 Jan 2013

Head of sales Brad Fordham will take over responsibility for all aspects of intermediary sales force.

Metro Bank denies FSA pressure to shake up board

3 Jan 2013

Reports suggest the bank is under FSA pressure to change its board following the appointment of co-founder Vernon Hill as chairman.

Labour MP calls for OFT to strengthen payday lending rules

2 Jan 2013

Stella Creasy: “Without action now, 2013 could be a window of opportunity for these so-called legal loan sharks.”

FSA to hold series of MMR roadshows for intermediaries

2 Jan 2013

Roadshows will cover all main rule changes and will discuss how rules affect intermediary firms.

Personal Touch introduces new notice period options

20 Dec 2012

Appointed reps have the option of extended notice of future fee changes in exchange for a longer notice period to leave the network.

Newcastle pulls out of interest-only lending

20 December 2012

Existing customers are unaffected but those who want to borrow more will only be able to do so on a capital and interest basis.

Principality cuts maximum interest-only LTV to 50%

19 Dec 2012

Lender previously offered up to 85% LTV on interest-only basis.

PruProtect hires Kevin Watkins as its new head of wealth protection

18 Dec 2012

Watkins spent 30 years at Friends Provident.

Newcastle pulls out of interest-only lending

14 Dec 2012

Existing borrowers unaffected.

FSA cancels permissions of Hertfordshire-based brokerage

14 Dec 2012

FSA said Euro Mortgages Limited not conducting its business “soundly and prudently”.

Coventry launches £1.4bn RMBS to access more FLS funds

13 Dec 2012

Lender to place RMBS with Bank of England to increase amount of FLS it can access.

Broker numbers on the up

6 December 2012

Number of AR mortgage firms up 2.1% since March.

Friends Life to cut a further 150 jobs

6 December 2012

The provider has not yet announced which departments will suffer job losses.

AS 2012: Osborne rules out 'mansion tax'

5 Dec 2012

Chancellor says property tax would be “expensive” and “intrusive”.

Friends Life to cut a further 150 jobs

4 Dec 2012

Provider has not yet announced which departments will suffer job losses.

Imla swings back into profit following cost cutting measures

3 Dec 2012

Mortgage lender trade body makes £30,361 profit for year ending 30 June 2012.

Broker numbers up for third quarter

29 Nov 2012

Number of AR mortgage firms up 2.1% since March.

Aviva extends child critical-illness cover to age 21

29 November 2012

Previously, Aviva would cover children under the parent’s CI policy up to the age of 18.

David Finlay appointed Imla chairman

29 November 2012

Finlay replaces Paragon Mortgages’ John Heron, who has been re-elected as an Imla board member.

Accord Mortgages launches third 10-day sale of 2012

27 Nov 2012

Six new products, starting from 2.59%, available for next 10 days.

Former Northern Rock treasurer found dead at his home

26 Nov 2012

Keith Currie stepped down from his role two months after bank’s collapse in 2007.

First-time buyer numbers in London and Scotland at 3-year high

26 Nov 2012

10,000 FTBs secured a morgage in London in Q3 and 5,100 in Scotland.

Ami: 'Individual registration disciplinary process must be fair'

23 Nov 2012

Ami chief executive Robert Sinclair is calling for a proper disciplinary process for any future broker register.

Woolwich defends online booking stance: 'Money is better spent lending'

23 Nov 2012

Barclays’ Sarah Green says she would rather use “millions” would take to improve system for mortgage lending.

Ami: 'Claims firms will struggle with interest-only cases'

22 November 2012

The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries says most interest-only mortgages were not missold.

Abbey offers 1.99% two-year fix for 7 days only

21 Nov 2012

The mortgage is available up to 60 per cent LTV.

FSA warns of fraud risks in quick property sales

20 Nov 2012

FSA warns borrowers in financial difficulties who are looking to sell their home quickly to beware committing fraud.

Abbey for Intermediaries loosens interest-only criteria

20 Nov 2012

Lender now allows customers to borrow up to 75% LTV, as long as interest-only element no more than 50% LTV.

Gross mortgage lending up 14% in October

20 Nov 2012

Gross mortgage lending hit £12.9bn in October and £118.7bn for the year.

MPs warn Govt may never recover £66bn stake in RBS and Lloyds

16 Nov 2012

Public Accounts Committee warns “temporary public ownership” likely to last for forseeable future.

Moody's to review UK's AAA rating in early 2013

15 Nov 2012

Ratings agency cites “weaker economic prospects” and eurozone risks as factors behind review.

CML: Proc fees distort choice

15 November 2012

“Hidden procuration fees, the differentials that exist, staff incentives and direct channels can distort choice.”

FSA: 'Forbearance could leave thousands worse off'

15 November 2012

FSA principal risk specialist Karen Wilshere says forbearance has been overused is some cases.

Paul Smee: Interest-only is not 'low-hanging fruit' for claims chasers

15 November 2012

L&G director of housing Stephen Smith: “Not clear whether lender or broker accountable.”

Sinclair: 'Claims chasers will struggle with interest-only cases'

14 Nov 2012

Barclays forced to reveal names of 208 staff linked to Libor-rigging

14 Nov 2012

Judge rules Barclays should hand names to Guardian Care Homes, which is suing bank for £38m.

PruProtect targets wealth managers with protection consultants

13 Nov 2012

20-strong team of consultants will help wealth managers set up business model to sell protection insurance.

US authorities approach at least 10 RBS traders over Libor

13 Nov 2012

US Department of Justice makes initial inquiries with traders from RBS’s markets division.

'Prolific' female mortgage fraudster jailed for nine years

12 Nov 2012

Maria Michaela, found working in Blackheath mortgage brokerage, conned banks out of £13m.

FSA: 'Forbearance could leave thousands worse off'

9 Nov 2012

FSA principal risk specialist Karen Wilshere says forbearance has been overused in some cases.

LV= pushes back switch to gender neutral rates

8 Nov 2012

Provider will now switch to gender neutral rates on 10 December instead of 1 December.

LV= launches online calculator to determine gender commission risk

8 November 2012

Calculator works out how much commission advisers risk losing if their pipeline cases are not completed before “G-day”.

Virgin Money to launch second securitisation

8 November 2012

The securitisation could exceed the £700m figure achieved in the June securitisation.

Matrix Group placed in administration

7 Nov 2012

Matrix Group and Matrix Securities have been placed in administration, with Begbies Traynor appointed as administrators.

CML chair slams proc fees for distorting choice

7 Nov 2012

Council of Mortgage Lenders chairman Martijn Van Der Heijden says hidden procuration fees and staff incentives distort consumer choice.

Barclays slaps £300k minimum loan size on interest-only deals

6 Nov 2012

Minimum loan size takes effect from tomorrow.

Hodge Lifetime launches drawdown lifetime mortgage

5 Nov 2012

Product allows customers to release chunks of cash as small as £1,000.

Virgin Money to launch second securitisation

2 Nov 2012

Lender’s second securitisation this year.

Legal & General to switch to gender neutral pricing on 21 November

1 Nov 2012

All new quotes will be given on gender neutral basis from 21 November.

FOS praises IFAs over 'personal' complaint handling

1 November 2012

FOS chief executive Natalie Ceeney says IFAs doing better on complaints than bigger organisations.

Lenders not expected to advise on rivals' products

1 November 2012

Lenders will not be obliged to recommend other companies

PruHealth unveils new PMI commission structures

31 Oct 2012

Advisers can chose from four new commission structures.

30 lenders now participating in FLS

30 Oct 2012

CBI calls for return to 'Captain Mainwaring banking'

26 Oct 2012

Small businesses “obsessed” with relationship banking.

MMR: Ami slams 'weak' non-advised sales ban

25 Oct 2012

The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries has slammed the FSA for excluding contract variations from the non-advised sales ban.

MMR: lenders not expected to advise on rivals' products

25 Oct 2012

Lenders will not be obliged to recommend other companies

Major networks pledge to stay in Abbey's fast-track service

25 October 2012

Sesame, Openwork, First Complete and Pink Network say they will continue to use the service.

RBS chairman says Govt will be able to start sell-off by next election

25 October 2012

Sir Philip Hampton says a sale by 2015 is a “reasonable assumption”.

Which?: Banks rely too much on detailed disclosure documents

25 October 2012

Which? says banks should ensure customers understand the information given to them.

PRA will have power to force business model changes

22 Oct 2012

The FSA warns intense prudential regulation is “here to stay” under the PRA.

Paragon launches £200m securitisation

18 Oct 2012

First securitisation since November 2011.

Lenders slow to respond to FSA sales incentive crackdown

18 October 2012

Paul Thomas looks at how lenders incentivise their staff and whether they are planning any changes following the FSA’s crackdown.

PruProtect reveals gender pricing plans

18 October 2012

Provider to switch to gender neutral pricing on 21 December, except for whole-of-life plan, which will switch on 3 November.

LV= discounts income protection in run up to G-day

17 Oct 2012

Provider is offering 5% discount on all income protection applications until 30 November.

Friends Life reveals gender pricing plans

17 Oct 2012

Policies must be on risk by 21 December to secure gender-specific rates.

Advisers fear Dilnot delay

11 October 2012

Advisers urge Government to commit to a date for Dilnot reforms.

Abbey bans Personal Touch ARs from fast-track

10 Oct 2012

Lender removes fast-track facility from PTFS ARs due to concerns about quality of submissions.

Govt to implement Dilnot care reforms 'as soon as it is able'

9 Oct 2012

Health minister Jeremy Hunt says Government will implement reforms “as soon as we are able”.

Payday lender Wonga set to become Newcastle United shirt sponsor

8 Oct 2012

Wonga set to replace Virgin Money after its sponsorship deal ended early.

Aegon unveils gender pipeline plans

5 Oct 2012

Terms must be agreed by 21 December to secure gender specific rates.

Nationwide scraps interest-only for new lending

4 Oct 2012

The building society says interest-only has become a “niche product”.

Protection providers set out gender pipeline plans

4 October 2012

Bright Grey and Scottish Provident will give limited “initial” protection cover to customers with applications in the pipeline in the run up to 21 December.

Halifax launches direct-only two-year fix at 2.44%

2 Oct 2012

Product available up to 60 per cent LTV.

Bright Grey and Scot Prov unveil gender pipeline plans

1 Oct 2012

Customers to get “initial cover” while the underwriting process is completed.

Zurich unveils gender pipeline strategy

28 Sep 2012

Provider to start switching to gender neutral rates from 10 December.

Wheatley review proposes handing regulation of Libor to FSA

28 Sep 2012

FCA chief executive designate Martin Wheatley wants FSA to have powers to prosecute those who attempt to manipulate Libor.

Barclays restructures mortgage intermediary division

27 Sep 2012

Six people to lose jobs.

Precise launches prime product range

27 September 2012

PruProtect extends life cover booster offer

25 Sep 2012

Customers receive 30% extra life cover free for three years if they take out before end of February.

Tiuta Plc enters administration

21 Sep 2012

Tiuta’s main funding source, Connaught Asset Management, entered administration on 18 September.

Connaught Asset Management enters administration

21 Sep 2012

Administrator Peter Hollis of KPF Advisory will investigate the directors’ role in the collapse of the Income Series 1 and 2 funds.

Indy and restricted: Brooks Macdonald sets out RDR strategy

20 September 2012

Group increase profits by 17 per cent to £8.5m at end of June.

Major high-street banks fail Which? customer service test

20 September 2012

Santander and Halifax scored the lowest of all banks.

Personal Touch significantly hikes monthly network fees

19 Sep 2012

PTFS is introducing monthly fees for each individual adviser.

Precise to enter prime mortgage sector

17 Sep 2012

Precise Mortgages is set to enter the prime residential market for the first time.

Investors vote to place Connaught Ucis fund into liquidation

14 Sep 2012

92% of creditors present at investor meeting voted to place fund into liquidation.

Ami: FSA incentives crackdown could aid intermediaries

13 September 2012

Ami chief executive Robert Sinclair says this is an opportunity for brokers.

Mortgage analysis: Recovery hampered by lack of mortgage finance

13 September 2012

Lack of mortgage finance stopping builders from constructing new homes.

Investors slam Connaught for warning failure on Tiuta losses

12 Sep 2012

Connaught told IFAs the risk of equity loss was “low”, despite being aware Tiuta had sufferend significant losses.

FSA: 1% rise in new mortgage advances in Q2

11 Sep 2012

New advances rose marginally from £36.4bn to £37bn in Q2.

Cable pushes 'challenger bank' role in solving SME finance drought

11 Sep 2012

Cable will today say new state-backed lender will work with banks like Co-op and Aldermore.

SRA to crack down on mortgage fraud in conveyancing review

10 Sep 2012

SRA reviews current practices of conveyancing firms to reduce mortgage fraud.

Vertex poaches Mark Webster from HML

7 Sep 2012

Webster was at HML for past 16 years.

Avelo's Exchange Portal back up and running after outage

6 Sep 2012

Exchange Portal crashed earlier this afternoon meaning advisers could not access services.

Lighthouse signs advice deal with Royal College of Nursing

6 Sep 2012

RCN has 400,000 members.

West Brom lowers revert to rate for new customers

6 Sep 2012

Lender launches new range of mortgage products.

Lee Gladwell leaves Platform

6 September 2012

Gladwell joined Platform in July 2008.

Zurich pays out in 91% of critical illness claims

5 Sep 2012

Payments out total £32.7m in the first six months of the year.

Barclays dismisses two senior staff in wake of rate-rigging scandal

5 Sep 2012

Three more traders in US office could also be dismissed.

LV= signs protection advice deal with RAC

4 Sep 2012

Provider will offer RAC customers single-tie advice on its protection range.

LibDems to push for property tax and Isa/pension relief cuts

3 Sep 2012

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg’s plans for a wealth tax are likely to involve a new annual property tax, according to reports.

Barclays launches aggressive remortgage and retention campaign

3 Sep 2012

Lender cuts remortgage product and NewBuy rates.

Yorkshire BS tightens interest-only criteria

31 Aug 2012

Lender limits maximum LTV to 50% for borrowers using sale of home as repayment vehicle.

Approvals for house purchase up 7.2% in July

30 Aug 2012

Remortgage approvals up 5 per cent in July.

Scottish Widows publishes delayed CI claim stats

16 August 2012

Insurer paid out in 87 per cent of total critical illness claims.

Scottish Widows publishes delayed CI claim stats

10 Aug 2012

Insurer paid out in 87% of total critical illness claims.

Emma Hollingworth and Andy Walton join Intrinsic

9 Aug 2012

Hollingworth was previously at Countrywide and Walton at PTFS.

Bridging lender Tiuta reveals huge losses linked to Ucis funds

8 Aug 2012

Bridging lender Tiuta made a pre-tax loss of £37.8m in the 18 months to 30 September 2011.

Another provider boosts CI plan as L&G follows Aviva's lead

7 Aug 2012

L&G provides additional cover for low grade cancer and adds three new ABI+ definitions.

Tesco Bank launches mortgage range

4 Aug 2012

Bank launches Monday with rates starting from 3.19%.

Govt considers full nationalisation of RBS

2 Aug 2012

The Government already owns 82 per cent of the bank.

Zurich streamlines its protection underwriting

1 Aug 2012

Provider aims to allow customers to get cover in place more quickly.

AFH Financial Group secures £660k to fund acquisitions

1 Aug 2012

AFH Financial Group has completed eight acquisitions since it floated in June last year.

HSBC sets aside over £1.2bn to cover fines and redress

31 Jul 2012

Bank sets aside £787m to cover costs of misselling claims in UK and £445m to cover money laundering failings.

Bank of England hints at base rate cut if funding scheme fails

26 July 2012

MPC split 7-2 in favour of increasing QE earlier this month.

Tiuta International in administration as part of Ucis wind down

23 Jul 2012

Holding firm for Connaught’s £100m series one bridging loan fund in administration.

Brokers urge Co-op to adopt C&G's underwriting approach

20 Jul 2012

Some brokers suggest Co-op could back away from intermediary market after branch acquisition.

PruProtect pledges to ring-fence Honister commission

19 Jul 2012

Provider will ring-fence commission payments until advisers are reauthorized.

Lenders say Government scheme will lower rates

18 Jul 2012

Lenders say they expect the Government’s Funding for Lending scheme will push down rates for borrowers.

Are regulatory hurdles stopping new protection entrants?

17 Jul 2012

Instrinsic’s Wallace Dobbin fears new entrants will be put off by regulatory and economic barriers.

Aviva enhances critical illness cover

16 Jul 2012

Provider covers three new conditions and upgrades five existing definitions.

Ex-CBI chief adviser McCafferty joins MPC

12 July 2012

FSCS recovered £30m in Keydata claims in 2011/12

12 July 2012

MPC injects another £50bn into economy

12 July 2012

Treasury could ease limits on mutuals

12 July 2012

Newcastle BS relaxes lending into retirement criteria

10 Jul 2012

Lender will now accept mortgages where term extends beyond 75.

Investor fear sparks third Connaught Ucis fund closure

9 Jul 2012

Asset manager witnesses increase in redemption requests following closure of first two funds.

Government may relax building society restrictions

6 Jul 2012

Government would consider redrawing societies’ lending and funding restrictions if they became an “issue”.

BoE warns rate cut would leave lenders exposed

6 Jul 2012

FSCS to decide on 750 claims against Arch cru IFAs

5 Jul 2012

Compensation scheme has received around 750 claims against 27 different IFAs that recommended Arch cru funds.

Regulators fine Barclays £290m for fixing Libor

5 July 2012

Bob Diamond admits FSA concern over Barclays' culture

4 Jul 2012

Diamond admits FSA expressed concerns of “culture issues” further down bank’s structure in February.

Abbey offset loan maximum back to £1m

29 Jun 2012

Northern Rock increases lending by 17% in year before Virgin buyout

27 Jun 2012

Gross lending increased from £4.2bn in 2010 to £4.6bn in 2011.

Aifa warns FSCS reforms could trigger false claims and extra costs

26 Jun 2012

Aifa calls for proposed changes to sourcebook to be aligned with planned consultation on FSCS funding model.

Aifa hires senior policy adviser from FSCS

25 Jun 2012

Clare Griffiths joins from the FSCS.

Halifax to refund valuation costs for failed purchases

25 Jun 2012

Lender will refund valuation costs for failed house purchases if it is beyond the borrower’s control.

FirstBuy on track to help 10,000 FTBs

22 Jun 2012

Government scheme on track to help 10,000 first-time buyers buy newbuild properties by next summer.

Moody's downgrades 15 global banks

22 Jun 2012

Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and HSBC among the downgrades

Scot Wids won't provide data for Lakey CI site

22 Jun 2012

Widows only major CI provider that has refused to supply its historical critical-illness definitions and claim data.

Law firm says sorry after subsidiary blames advisers for PPI

21 Jun 2012

Goldsmith Williams has apologised and amended its claim management subsidiary’s website.

Ban over high-charge plan backing interest-only loan

21 Jun 2012

Funding deal could be game-changer to slash loan rates

21 June 2012

PruProtect slashes income protection cover premiums

20 Jun 2012

PruProtect is reducing its income protection premiums by an average of 20 per cent for new clients following a review of its product range.

Barclays to allow parents to help with affordability across all products

18 Jun 2012

Parents’ and children’s income to calculate loan size.

Brokers say Govt lending scheme could see rates cut by 0.5%

15 Jun 2012

John Charcol senior technical manager Ray Boulger says the Government’s scheme could be “a game changer”.

OFT appoints Clive Maxwell as its new chief exec

14 Jun 2012

Maxwell spent 17 years at HM Treasury prior to joining OFT in October 2009.

Lighthouse signs exclusive advice deal with British Airways Clubs

14 Jun 2012

Lighthouse will provide advice to around 40,000 BA Club members.

BTL loans are set to escape EU regulations

14 June 2012

Fixed rates could be cut as swaps fall

14 June 2012

Scottish government set for stamp duty overhaul

14 June 2012

Sants warns over new BoE governor role and European banking plans

13 Jun 2012

Sants adds European Commission’s idea of banking union would be “unworkable”.

European Commission president calls for EU-wide banking regulator

12 Jun 2012

New supervisor would have power to wind down banks without consulting national authorities.

ING now wants income proof from 68

8 Jun 2012

Clydesdale launches bond to back residential loans

8 Jun 2012

Tumbling swaps could lead to cheaper fixed rates

7 Jun 2012

John Charcol’s Ray Boulger believes continued swap rates falls could lead to cheaper fixed rates.

House prices up 0.5% in May

7 Jun 2012

Average house price now £160,941.

Backing for HMRC move to stop BTL tax dodgers

7 June 2012

Bright Grey and ScotProv MD steps down

7 June 2012

Director banned and fined over Ucis sales

7 June 2012

Price gap widens for direct and intermediary two-year fixes

6 Jun 2012

Difference between average direct and intermediary two-year fix up 69 basis points in past year.

Aifa questions MAS funding model and accountability

1 Jun 2012

Aifa: “We have yet to see evidence that MAS is meeting its objectives”.

Bright Grey and Scot Prov MD steps down

31 May 2012

Ross Ainslie been at Royal London Group for 10 years.

MetLife adds bereavement service to group life product

31 May 2012

MetLife adds free bereavement and probate service to group life product.

Man arrested in FSA unauthorised business investigation

30 May 2012

Man arrested in connection with ongoing FSA investigation into suspected unauthorised foreign exchange trading scheme

FSA bans and fines IFA £60k

30 May 2012

FSA bans and fines Patrick O’ Donnell for advising clients to invest in unsuitable products.

FSA reduces 2012/13 adviser fees and levies

29 May 2012

The FSA has cut advisers’ fees and levies from £38.4m to £37.1m.

Bright Grey and Scot Prov improve CI definitions

24 May 2012

Providers add extra ABI+ definition and two new definitions.

FSA: Lenders have asked for interest-only ban

23 May 2012

FSA manager of mortgage policy Lynda Blackwell says some lenders want the MMR to go further on interest-only.

Abbey and Halifax cut fixed rates by up to 0.2 per cent

22 May 2012

Abbey for Intermediaries and Halifax to cut fixed rate deals.

Capita acquires Medicals Direct for £13.2m

21 May 2012

Deal could rise to £15.2m depending on performance.

BSA says mortgage prisoners will be hit by strict affordability rules

17 May 2012

Hanley Economic chief Webster becomes BSA chairman

17 May 2012

Solvency test

17 May 2012

ABI urged to support cover statements

11 May 2012

Former Ageas managing director Martin Werth is calling on the ABI to make it compulsory for its member firms to send out annual benefit statements to protection customers.

Council looks at 20% Mig deal for FTBs

11 May 2012

Southampton City Council is the latest to look at launching a mortgage indemnity scheme to help first-time buyers with small deposits.

Base rate held and no more QE

10 May 2012

Base rate held for 38th consecutive month.

CBI forecasts UK growth in second half of the year

10 May 2012

FSA backs campaign against chasers over charges

10 May 2012

Lloyds to shrink its share of the mortgage market

10 May 2012

Sesame AR fees rise due to regulator

10 May 2012

Sesame increases member charges due to regulatory costs

8 May 2012

Weekly fees to increase by more than 50% for IFAs and mortgage brokers.

Advisers launch gender neutral pricing good practice guide

8 May 2012

Good practice guide aimed at insurers to make sure customers treated fairly in transition.

A bridge too far

4 May 2012

Proc fee fears over Abbey fast track

4 May 2012

Some brokers are opting out of using Abbey for Intermediaries’ fast-track facility due to concerns over its strict rules.

Skipton set for RMBS of up to £550m

3 May 2012

Skipton Building Society is to launch a securitisation backed by a pool of mortgage loans totalling between £450m and £550m.

Barclays adds £300m to PPI compensation pot

3 May 2012

Co-op loses exclusive deal on Lloyds branches

3 May 2012

Euro loan directive delayed to make more amendments

3 May 2012

HSBC scraps tied advice service and axes 650 jobs

3 May 2012

NAB to cut 1,400 UK jobs

3 May 2012

Lenders hike NewBuy rates less than 2 months after launch

1 May 2012

Product rates have been increased by up to 0.5%.

Man convicted of laundering boiler room funds

30 Apr 2012

Michael McInerney sentenced to four and a half years in jail.

Govt mutual launched to administer civil service pensions

30 Apr 2012

Former Honister Capital chief executive Mark Lund joins as non-executive director.

Quality control

27 Apr 2012

MPC member Martin Weale says case for more QE "stronger"

27 Apr 2012

Slip back into recession means case for more quantitative easing is stronger.

HSBC axes tied advice service- 650 jobs to go

26 Apr 2012

Move follows announcements from Lloyds and Nationwide about their direct propositions.

Investec and West Brom relaunch RMBSs

26 Apr 2012

Investec and West Bromwich Building Society have both relaunched the securitisations they postponed last year.

ING Direct slashes interest-only LTV

26 April 2012

Standard Life's platform assets up 26%

25 Apr 2012

Assets under management up from £10bn to £12.6bn to year ending March 31, 2012.

Santander launches £775m securitisation

24 Apr 2012

Transaction is second of 2012 and is denominated in US dollars.

Three jailed in £4m offshore investment scam

24 Apr 2012

Two men and one woman jailed for total of eighteen and a half years.

Coventry enters securitisation market for first time

19 Apr 2012

Coventry Building Society has entered the securitisation market for the first time with a £1.1bn issue.

Principality cuts back interest-only but keeps 85% LTV deals

19 April 2012

Capital Economics says QE set to rise again in 2012

13 Apr 2012

Firm says QE will rise later this year.

Number of mortgage advice firms falls by 10%

12 Apr 2012

The number of mortgage advice firms fell by nearly 10 per cent last year, according to FSA figures.

AMI says panel out of touch over non-advised loan sales

11 April 2012

Leeds BS to abandon income multiples

10 Apr 2012

Leeds Building Society abandons income multiples in favour of affordability calculator.

No change to base rate or QE

5 Apr 2012

Base rate held at 0.5% for 37th consecutive month.

Analysis: Is this the end for 95% LTVs?

5 Apr 2012

The prospects for aspiring home-owners with a 5 per cent deposit are likely to be bleak for some time, Paul Thomas reports.

Ami calls for 'mortgage prisoners' to get 10% borrowing flexibility

5 Apr 2012

Ami says transitional arrangements in MMR should be strengthened.

IFA firm wins £6,000 grant to fund charity work in Africa

05 April 2012

Nationwide and Lloyds cut proc fees

05 April 2012

Consumer panel calls for new FSA rule to protect 'mortgage prisoners'

3 Apr 2012

Panel wants FSA to strengthen its transitional arrangements to protect borrowers whose mortgages may fall foul of proposed MMR rules.

Nationwide and Lloyds cut proc fees

2 Apr 2012

It is thought Nationwide and LBG’s BM Solutions brand have cut proc fees by 2 bps.

Ami backs FSA's non-advised sales ban

30 Mar 2012

Ami backs proposal after lender trade bodies hit out at non-advised ban.

Stamp of disapproval

30 Mar 2012

Intrinsic merging IFA arms to form 600-firm network

29 Mar 2012

Intrinsic is merging its IFA arms Intrinsic Wealth Management and Mint Financial Services to form a new IFA network, Intrinsic Independent.

L&G pays 93.2% of CI claims in 2011

28 Mar 2012

Proportion of claims paid up from 91.8% in 2010.

Woolwich revamps online case booking system

28 Mar 2012

Woolwich is revamping its online case booking system so intermediaries will no longer have to wait until midnight to book funds.

Govt in talks with Abu Dhabi over RBS sale

26 Mar 2012

Government reportedly in talks to sell up to a third of its stake in RBS.

Skipton BS cuts interest-only LTV to 60%

26 Mar 2012

Move takes effect from March 27.

Support growing for protection awareness day

26 Mar 2012

Paul Thomas reports on industry reaction to awareness proposal.

Santander tightens interest-only criteria again

23 Mar 2012

Pensions, the sale of a second property, bonuses or cash savings no longer acceptable repayment vehicles from Wednesday.

CHL sale on hold as IL&P is reviewed

23 Mar 2012

Irish Life & Permanent has delayed its decision on the sale of buy-to-let lender Capital Home Loans until the Central Bank of Ireland completes its review of IL&P.

The return of dual pricing

23 Mar 2012

Lloyds announces Project Verde operational centres

22 Mar 2012

Five operational sites will be included as part of branch sell-off.

Ex-Kensington director sets up bridging lender

22 Mar 2012

Michael White has set up a bridging lender which specialises in lending to professional sportspeople, entertainers and property developers.

Agents warn clients after HSBC cuts conveyancers

22 March 2012

FSA 'crawling all over' commercial lenders

22 March 2012

'FTBs won't be hit by MMR'

22 March 2012

Portillion pulls out of bid for banking licence

22 March 2012

Talk buy to boost Bureau

22 March 2012

Budget 12: Child benefit threshold increased to £50,000

21 Mar 2012

Families will lose 1% of benefit for every £100 over £50,000.

Budget 12: Osborne pledges to increase homebuilder fund

21 Mar 2012

Chancellor pledges to expand fund which provides finance for construction firms.

Foster Denovo appoints new director of sales and marketing

20 Mar 2012

Darren Laverty becomes director of sales and marketing.

MetLife relaunches group life protection product

19 Mar 2012

MetLife makes number of product changes as part of relaunch.

Mortgage Advice Bureau acquires Mortgage Talk

19 Mar 2012

Mortgage Advice Bureau has acquired Mortgage Talk in exchange for shares in the MAB group.

Newbuild Mig gets flying start with 95% loans

16 Mar 2012

Barclays closes online case booking system

16 Mar 2012

System closed due to technical issue and expected to reopen on Monday.

Putting on the breaks

16 Mar 2012

Code aims to tackle sellers' failings

15 March 2012

Fears over quality of adviser influx

15 March 2012

FSA is powerless against interest-only mortgage "time bomb"

14 Mar 2012

FSA says regulation cannot do much to help borrowers with no way to repay capital.

Scot Prov pays out 91% of CI claims in 2011

14 Mar 2012

Total of £90m paid to CI customers in 2011.

Towergate Insurance appoints new M&A director

13 Mar 2012

Dan Saulter takes up role on May 1.

FTB activity up 23% in January year-on-year

13 Mar 2012

But FTB activity down 30% on December.

MetLife Assurance appoints Wayne Daniel as chief exec

12 Mar 2012

Daniel previously vice president of MetLife Assurance.

Raising the standard

9 Mar 2012

Annual allowance most likely target for pension relief cut

9 Mar 2012

George Osborne considers cutting allowance from £50,000 to £40,000.

Ageas Protect looking at business cover sector

9 Mar 2012

Base rate held and no more QE

8 Mar 2012

Base rate held for 36th consecutive month.

Aviva committed to UK "hook, line and sinker"

8 Mar 2012

Aviva UK Life chief executive David Barral says insurer has “no plans” to move its head office out of the UK.

£5.8M golden hello for new Lloyds finance chief

8 March 2012

Coventry wins 17% slice of the mutual market

8 March 2012

House prices edge up in London but fall in North

8 March 2012

Mutual mortgage lending leaps by a third

8 March 2012

Ami set to air MMR fears in FSA meeting

7 Mar 2012

Ami director Robert Sinclair is meeting with the FSA to discuss Ami’s concerns that lenders are pre-empting the final MMR interest-only rules.

FSA issues communication guidance on missold PPI

6 Mar 2012

Regulator publishes guidance about how firms should contact customers who may have been missold PPI.

House prices down 1.9% year-on-year in February

6 Mar 2012

House prices now stand at £160,118.

Ageas Protect appoints Darren Spriggs as managing director

5 Mar 2012

Jane Dale appointed as new finance director.

ABI launches annuities code of conduct

5 Mar 2012

Compulsory code launched to ensure people get best possible retirement income.

RBS increases offset and One Account rates by 0.25%

2 Mar 2012

The bank says around 200,000 customers will be affected.

Are house prices set to tumble?

2 Mar 2012

Capital Economics has forecasted a 20% fall in house prices over the next four years but do the experts agree?

Lloyds offers finance director £5.8m "golden hello" package

1 Mar 2012

George Culmer joins from RSA Insurance Group on May 16.

Aviva sets up site to help with claims

1 March 2012

Boulger says Halifax could increase SVR

1 March 2012

FSA fines mortgage broker for inaccurate applications

1 March 2012

PruProtect moves into £9.9m profit as business soars by 31%

1 March 2012

Split over QE3 could mean bigger boost is on the way

1 March 2012

Repossession avoidance firm opens doors to intermediaries

28 Feb 2012

Firm decides to offer services through intermediaries two years after setting up.

Insurers to add jobs to own-occupation cover

24 Feb 2012

Sub-prime motivation

24 Feb 2012

Skandia looks at return to critical illness cover market

23 Feb 2012

Skandia is considering re-entering the critical-illness insurance market almost 18 months after pulling out of the sector.

Second push for Aviva protection campaign

23 February 2012

LV= launches free trust builder tool

21 Feb 2012

Tool helps advisers write new and existing life policies in trust.

Ageas UK's protection business up 89%

20 Feb 2012

Gross written premiums up 89% to £44.6m in 2011, up from £23.6m the year before.

Ex-Aldermore chief Snowdon sets up higher-LTV venture

17 Feb 2012

FSA awarded legal costs over "unreasonable" referral proceedings

17 Feb 2012

Regulator successfully defends decision to remove permission of accountancy firm.

L&G cuts with-profits bonus rates

16 Feb 2012

L&G cuts bonus rates by 0.25 per cent on average.

FSA shelves individual loan broker registration

16 February 2012

Repos at lowest level in five years

16 February 2012

The 10 things customers should know about income protection

14 Feb 2012

The Protection Review and the Income Protection Task Force have produced a top 10 list of things customers should take into account when buying IP.

Holloway Friendly pays 96% of IP claims

14 Feb 2012

Payout rate is increase on 95.5% of claims paid out in 2010.

Saffron BS sells IFA business to Towergate

14 Feb 2012

Deal sees firm, under Towergate’s stewardship, providing advice to Saffron customers.

Income protection taskforce arranges sales shortage summit

13 Feb 2012

Summit will take place on April 18 and all major IP providers will be invited.

PTFS chief exec Doug Crawford to join conveyancer

13 Feb 2012

Crawford will join My Home Move in April as its new chief executive.

Andrew Jones confirmed as HML chief exec

10 Feb 2012

Jones had been doing job on interim basis for past three months.

Advisers want critical cover and IP

9 February 2012

Reinsurer says certain death benefits are overlooked

7 Feb 2012

RGA warns advisers their customers could be missing out on benefits when claiming under life policies.

BM Solutions to cut B2L fixed rates by up to 0.3%

7 Feb 2012

Two-year products up to 75% LTV cut by 0.3%.

Goldilocks and the forbears

3 Feb 2012

Ellipse moves into absence management

2 February 2012

OFT probes Brain buying MortgageStream

2 February 2012

ABI: Protection products amongst hardest to understand

30 Jan 2012

PPI and critical illness rank lowest in terms of understanding.

Three jailed in £18.5m fraud on Swiss bank

27 Jan 2012

The three were sentenced to combined total of over 13 years in prison.

Woolwich adds plausibility check

27 Jan 2012

FSA fines former Greenlight Capital compliance officer £130k

27 Jan 2012

Alexander Ten-Holter banned from performing compliance and oversight functions.

Two-year fixes at a five-month high

26 Jan 2012

The average price of a two-year fixed-rate mortgage has reached its highest level since August at 4.27 per cent.

Ageas Protect makes two senior appointments

25 Jan 2012

Scott Reid becomes head of pricing and reinsurance and Richard Halley becomes partnership manager.

Santander set to launch £3bn securitisation

20 Jan 2012

Barclays set to launch £750m covered bond.

Yorkshire BS extends B2L across England and Wales

20 Jan 2012

Lender launched buy-to-let offering in August, in London and South East only.

Bright Grey in plea to renew ABI deal on GP records

20 Jan 2012

Bright Grey is calling on the ABI to try to resurrect an agreement with GPs for insurers to access medical records or risk falling service levels.

Cameron: 'Goodwin could be stripped of his title'

19 Jan 2012

David Cameron says former RBS chief could be stripped of his title.

UK facing £17.5bn bill to boost IMF firepower

19 Jan 2012

IMF looking to double resources to stabilise global economy and asked members for bigger contribution.

Govt to encourage pensioners to downsize to ease housing supply

17 Jan 2012

Shapps calls on councils to help pensioners downsize to free up housing stock for families.

HML appoints Richard Hennah as sales director

16 Jan 2012

Hennah joins HML after nearly 12 years with KPMG.

Abbey to expand buy-to-let range

16 Jan 2012

Lender is also reducing rates on existing products by 0.2 per cent.

France and Austria set to lose AAA credit rating

13 Jan 2012

Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Luxembourg to keep AAA rating.

LV= relaxes protection underwriting

13 Jan 2012

Changes will result in more people getting immediate online decision.

SimplyBiz hires Martin Reynolds as mortgages chief exec

12 Jan 2012

SimplyBiz hires Martin Reynolds as mortgages chief exec.

AXA PPP removes cancer cover limits

10 Jan 2012

Insurer also waiving monetary limits that may apply to cancer outpatient tests.

HSBC to launch conveyancer panel with Countrywide

6 Jan 2012

Countrywide is named panel manager.

MMR may sound death knell for packagers

6 Jan 2012

AMI has warned the mortgage market review will be the death knell for mortgage packagers unless they radically restructure operations.

Choices on affordability

5 January 2012

FSA sets out ban for non-advised sales

5 January 2012

Lenders may opt for direct route

5 January 2012

Prestwood MD Philip Congrave to retire

4 Jan 2012

Congrave joined firm in 1986 and will retire later this month.

Eurozone ministers agree to pledge £125bn to IMF

20 Dec 2011

UK refused to commit to contributing, saying it will “define its contribution” in early 2012.

FSA to ban non-advised mortgage sales

19 Dec 2011

However, borrowers can reject advice after it has been given.

FSA will not limit advisers' role in checking affordability

19 Dec 2011

Intermediaries to have “general requirement” to check if borrowers fit lenders’ criteria.

MMR to cost industry up to £170m a year

19 Dec 2011

Total one-off cost of proposals £40m-£65m and £47m-£170m a year.

Brokers' fears at repo rise

16 Dec 2011

Lenders set to cut higher LTVs over euro crisis

16 Dec 2011

Brokers are warning that lenders could withdraw their higher-loan-to-value mortgages if the eurozone crisis worsens.

Ageas to retrospectively increase CI payments

15 Dec 2011

Ageas Protect to contact customers to tell them terms and conditions have improved.

CML downgrades 2012 lending forecast by £17bn

15 Dec 2011

Trade body also downgrades 2011 gross lending estimate.

Cornell joining FSA an analyst

15 December 2011

Turner calls for new powers to penalise execs

15 December 2011

Lloyds chief exec to return in January

14 Dec 2011

Antonio Horta-Osorio is due to return to work on January 9 following a stress-related illness.

BoE chief economist: Inflation will fall to 3% by March

14 Dec 2011

Dale defends BoE’s monetary policy, saying vital in order to stave off recession.

FSA data shows repossessions on the rise

13 Dec 2011

FSA says new advances grew 19% between Q2 and Q3 to £44bn.

Leeds BS appoints Robin Litten as finance director

13 Dec 2011

Litten joins in January.

Standard Chartered: UK economy to shrink 1.3% in 2012

13 Dec 2011

Standard Chartered predicts eurozone economy will shrink by 1.5 %.

Cable investigates possible action against RBS directors

12 Dec 2011

Cable examining whether any action can be taken against former RBS directors.

Coalition split over European treaty veto

12 Dec 2011

Deputy PM says he is “bitterly disappointed” by the veto.

Move to open up Ship membership could lead to innovation

9 Dec 2011

EquityCare wants small drawdown for home care

9 Dec 2011

Equity-release specialists have called on providers to develop products for the home care market which allow customers to draw down smaller amounts.

Insurers use data loophole to cut medical record costs

9 Dec 2011

Broker says insurers are using a data protection loophole to get full medical records at reduced prices.

Aviva overhauls large case underwriting process

6 Dec 2011

Advisers allowed to provide information over phone for life cases to £3m and critical illness to £750k.

Govt to close stamp duty loophole

6 Dec 2011

Loophole allows people to avoid stamp duty by setting up offshore companies.

Aviva Downton Abbey campaign in breach of Ofcom rules

5 Dec 2011

Ofcom says Aviva sponsorship of Downton Abbey strays into advertising.

BTL entrants warned to watch out for credit risks

2 Dec 2011

Paragon Group mortgage chief has warned new BTL lenders they could expose themselves to greater risk if they underwrite BTL loans in the same way as owner-occupier mortgages.

AS 2011: End of stamp duty holiday adds a barrier for FTBs

1 Dec 2011

Mortgage experts are disappointed the Government is not extending the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers, saying it will delay some people buying a property.

Ship opens up membership to intermediaries

1 Dec 2011

Trade body set up committee to look at expanding membership in June.

AS 2011: Government says maximum liability for newbuild homes scheme will be £1bn

1 December 2011

The Government has revealed that its maximum liability for the recently announced mortgage indemnity scheme will be no more than £1bn.

Life settlement trade body backs FSA's concerns

30 Nov 2011

Earlier this week, FSA warned products were high risk, toxic products.

Mutuals' gross lending up 15% year-on-year

29 Nov 2011

Lending up from £16.6bn in first 10 months of 2010, compared to £19.1bn in 2011.

IFA firm to enter administration following £6m Keydata claims

28 Nov 2011

Financial planning firm Target Financial Management to enter administration as a result of £6m of claims relating to Keydata.

Concern that builders could inflate their newbuild prices

25 Nov 2011

Mortgage experts fear housebuilders could artificially inflate the price of newbuild properties to prevent losses from Mig scheme.

Is Virgin Money ready to challenge the big mortgage lenders?

25 Nov 2011

Virgin Money’s buyout of Northern Rock could have big implications for the sector.

Sesame: Advisers are selling services too cheaply

24 Nov 2011

Chief executive George Higginson says some advisers are selling their advice too cheaply and will be forced to increase their fees to cover their costs after RDR.

Which? rolls out "free" mortgage advice to general public

24 Nov 2011

Consumer champion aims to become one of the biggest mortgage advice firms in the UK.

CML says quality won't be in danger

24 November 2011

Criteria to tighten if MMR stays unclear

24 November 2011

Demand for interest-only products stays strong

24 November 2011

Rates may rise under savings-lending link

24 November 2011

Roberts to be Lloyds interim chief exec if Horta-Osorio is away longer than expected

24 November 2011

Lloyds announces Horta-Osorio contingency plan

21 Nov 2011

David Roberts will assume interim chief exec if Horta-Osorio’s return is delayed.

Investec to publicly place £204m in RMBS

18 Nov 2011

Bank rate may stay at 0.5% until 2014

17 November 2011

Eurozone crisis is not a repeat of 2007, says Imla

11 Nov 2011

Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association directors say the eurozone crisis is very different to the credit crisis of 2007 and should not lead to a similar contraction in mortgage lending.

Northern Rock says 95% LTV mortgages are a specialist market

11 Nov 2011

The first-time buyer higher loan-to-value market should be considered a niche area, according to Northern Rock head of intermediary sales Richard Tugwell.

Williams says MMR does not address the changed world

11 Nov 2011

The world has moved on since the FSA started its mortgage market review and the proposals may not meet the needs of today’s market, according to Imla executive director Peter Williams.

Structural problems

11 Nov 2011

No boom for BTL

11 Nov 2011

Ward says new lenders will need scale to get off to start

11 Nov 2011

John Cowan: Expect overwhelming shift to restricted advice

11 Nov 2011

IFA firms will move “overwhelmingly” towards restricted advice within three years of the implementation of RDR, according to an independent consultant

Bank holds base rate at 0.5% and QE programme at £275bn

10 Nov 2011

Bank of England holds base rate at 0.5% and does not add to its quantitative easing programme.

Barclays sets up first RMBS since 2007

10 Nov 2011

Barclays Bank is to launch its first residential mortgage-backed securitisation since May 2007.

Lloyds faces downgrade after chief exec steps back

9 Nov 2011

Antonio Horta-Osorio stepped back last week due to stress but is expected back before Christmas.

Aegon to close DB scheme to future accruals

8 Nov 2011

Firm also to end link to final salary.

Bank of England governance must be strengthened, say MPs

8 Nov 2011

Andrew Tyrie says Bank of England governance “antiquated”.

Co-op to submit second round bid for Lloyds branches

7 Nov 2011

Bid likely to be submitted next week.

Funding drought goes on as RMBS issues held back

4 Nov 2011

RMBS issues are not translating into increased mortgage lending as banks are retaining a significant proportion of the funding.

Coventry: Societies' loan share will fall as banks stabilise

4 Nov 2011

Coventry Building Society says mutuals’ increasing share of the mortgage market is likely to stall as banks’ access to wholesale funding improves.

Appeal to see who will get Lehman cash

3 November 2011

Top duo quit at HML

3 November 2011

Paragon to launch £150m securitisation

2 Nov 2011

Pricing expected to be 275 basis points over three-month Libor.

Saffron BS appoints Jon Hall as new chief exec

1 Nov 2011

Hall replaces Andy Golding.

Nationwide revamps new-build valuation policy

31 Oct 2011

Lender will now include new-build premium in valuations.

Bridging lenders seek exemption

28 Oct 2011

The Association of Short Term Lenders is seeking a total exemption for bridging lenders from the European Commission’s mortgage credit directive.

HMRC chasing £35m in stamp duty avoidance

28 Oct 2011

HMRC identified 1,200 people using stamp duty avoidance schemes costing Exchequer £35m a year.

House prices down 2.6% year-on-year in September

28 Oct 2011

Prices fall 0.3% between August and September.

Equity-release advances hit £200m for quarter

27 October 2011

Shapps in call for long-term fixed rates

27 October 2011

Lloyds to launch £2.1bn securitisation

26 Oct 2011

Fitch assigns AAA rating to transaction.

Countrywide hires former Colleys surveying head

25 Oct 2011

Chapman to take up newly created role of head of field operations within surveying division.

Coventry launches new residential and B2L deals

25 Oct 2011

New range includes fixed, tracker and capped products.

OFT refers audit market to Competition Commission

21 Oct 2011

OFT concerned market is “highly concentrated” and substantial barriers to entry.

SVRs are on the rise

21 Oct 2011

Shapps: Govt has no plans to reform stamp duty

20 Oct 2011

Shapps asked if Govt has plans to reform “slab” structure of stamp duty.

Loan prices to rise as Fitch cuts Lloyds and RBS ratings

20 October 2011

Coventry BS issues €650m covered bond

19 Oct 2011

Building society issues €650m covered bond.

UK prime RMBS performance stable in August

19 Oct 2011

90+ arrears rate up slightly to 1.9% from 1.8%.

Equity release advances up 12% in Q3

18 Oct 2011

Intermediaries account for 88% of all equity release sales.

House prices down 2.3% year-on-year in September

14 Oct 2011

Average price now £218,650.

Openwork appoints chief financial officer

13 Oct 2011

Simon Clifford takes over as chief financial officer.

EU directive changes could exempt BTL loans

13 October 2011

Gilt option could help mortgages

13 October 2011

Moody's lowers 12 UK credit ratings

13 October 2011

Rate held for 31st month as easing is rebooted

13 October 2011

Remortgage activity up 30% year-on-year in August

11 Oct 2011

First-time buyer loans up 5% year-on-year.

TMW launches buy-to-let affordability app

10 Oct 2011

App developed for Android and Blackberry smart phones.

Clydesdale Bank launches £829m buy-to-let RMBS

10 Oct 2011

Pool of loans made up of Clydesdale Bank buy-to-let mortgages.

BoE increases QE by £75bn

6 Oct 2011

QE increased by £75bn to £275bn.

Director is banned and fined £100k for false applications

6 October 2011

Large mortgages set to be excluded from new Euro rules

5 Oct 2011

A committee scrutinising the European Commission’s mortgage credit directive has proposed an exemption for mortgages over €2m.

Stonebridge launches multi-tie life and protection panel

4 Oct 2011

Panel will offer products from 5 providers.

More QE could push inflation to 6%

4 Oct 2011

LSL Property Services says inflation could rise to 6% if BoE introduces more QE.

FTSE blog: FTSE makes small gains as EU leaders gather in Brussels

Online - October 2011

FTSE up 0.5 per cent.

FSA fines and bans broker over mortgage fraud

30 Sep 2011

Raymond Wagner taken decision to tribunal.

House prices rise 0.1% in September

29 Sep 2011

Average price now £166,256.

House prices fall 2.6% year-on-year in August

28 Sep 2011

Average price in England and Wales now £162,347.

Intermediary complaints up 19%

28 Sep 2011

Complaints about intermediaries rose from 20,713 in H2, 2010 to 24,458 in H1, 2011.

Mansfield BS appoints Gev Lynott as new chief exec

27 Sep 2011

Lynott replaces Nigel Quinton, who has left to become Furness BS chief executive.

Europe looks to curb power of big four audit firms

27 Sep 2011

Draft proposals will force audit firms to abandon consultancy and share work with smaller rivals.

Dunstan Thomas appoints David Child as non-exec chairman

26 Sep 2011

Child joined Baigrie Davies Lifesearch as non-exec chairman in February.

Labour: Slash VAT to 5% for home improvements

26 Sep 2011

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls concedes Labour did not regulate banks adequately when in power.

MM profile: Paul Smee

15 September 2011

The director general of the CML is ready to grapple with the FSA’s mortgage market review, the European loan directive and the property market.

FSA fines Swift £600k for TCF failings over arrears

15 September 2011

Brokers may lose more market share to the banks

9 Sep 2011

No change to base rate or QE

8 Sep 2011

Base rate held at 0.5% for 30 consecutive months.

Darling reveals King row hit crisis response

8 September 2011

US banks offered deal over mortgage bond lawsuits

6 Sep 2011

Sources tell the Financial Times state prosecutors effective releasing banks from legal liability.

Broker homeloans rise as direct deals dive

2 Sep 2011

The number of mortgage products available to intermediaries has jumped by 35 per cent since January.

Accord cuts up to 0.45% off 85% LTV fixed rates

2 Sep 2011

Lender also cuts up to 0.25% off 75% LTV fixed rates.

Fitch upgrades HML's special servicer rating

1 Sep 2011

Ratings agency also affirms primary servicer rating.

Quarter of firms to cut pension spend to pay for auto-enrolment

1 Sep 2011

ACA warns 27% of employers likely to offset the cost of auto-enrolment by reducing their pension expenditure.

CBI's Cridland says ringfencing now is 'barking mad'

1 September 2011

FSA bans mortgage broker over fraud and deception

1 September 2011

Principality launches family assisted 95% LTV mortgage

31 Aug 2011

Borrowers can use family member’s savings to boost deposit.

Mattioli Woods acquires Kudos for £8.7m

30 Aug 2011

Management team at Kudos Independent Financial Services to be retained.

Aldermore increase BTL maximum loan size

30 Aug 2011

Maximum loan size now £1m up to 65% LTV.

House prices down 2.1% year-on-year in July

26 Aug 2011

Number of completed house sales down 10% between May 2010 and May 2011.

CML will stick with lending forecast of £140bn

26 Aug 2011

The CML says it has no plans to revise its 2011 gross lending estimate of £140bn despite the current eurozone debt crisis.

Platform lends £250m in first half of 2011

25 Aug 2011

Parent Co-op Financial Services reports profits of £130.5m in H1.

National IFA firm PFP launches new corporate advice service

25 Aug 2011

National IFA firm Premier Financial Protection has set up a corporate advice service to help firms prepare for auto-enrolment.

Unanimous MPC vote holds bank rate at 0.5%

25 August 2011

NatWest launches new products and cuts rates

24 Aug 2011

New products include 3.39% two-year fix up to 75% LTV.

Moneygate acquires Sheffield-based IFA

22 Aug 2011

Results Financial acquisition takes Moneygate adviser numbers to 120 and AUM to £250m.

Barclays cuts fixed rates by up to 0.41%

22 Aug 2011

Lender says cuts affect up to 60% of subsidiary Woolwich’s fixed rate range.

Halifax and Experian team up to help rejected applicants

19 Aug 2011

New scheme offers unsuccessful applicants advice about how to improve credit score.

Gross mortgage lending down 6% year-on-year

18 Aug 2011

Gross mortgage lending £12.6bn in July, down from £12.68bn in June.

Borrowers overpaying mortgageswhile rates are still low

18 August 2011

Halifax pulls equity-release alternative home scheme

18 August 2011

LibDems want CGT on all home sales over £1m

18 August 2011

Halifax makes changes to income verification process

17 Aug 2011

Changes take effect from tomorrow.

Coventry BS to launch two new five-year fixes

16 Aug 2011

Product rates are 3.49 per cent and 3.60 per cent.

TMW reduces rates by up to 1.4%

15 Aug 2011

Lender also extends 20% annual overpayment allowance to entire range.

Halifax to pull retirement home plan

12 Aug 2011

Product to be pulled on Wednesday.

Skipton BS launches 10-year fix at 5.85%

11 Aug 2011

Product available up to 85% LTV.

Bank rate held at 0.5% for 29th month

11 August 2011

Europe suggests 14-day mortgage cooling-off period

10 Aug 2011

CML says new committee report takes mortgage directive in “unexpected” and “inappropriate” direction.

Inflation to be above target for "at least another year"

10 Aug 2011

BoE governor Mervyn King says little MPC can do about near-term inflation.

Treasury to close sale and rentback loophole

5 Aug 2011

The Treasury is introducing new sale and rentback regulation.

Coventry increases gross lending by 19%

5 Aug 2011

Society reports £45m profit in the first half of the year.

BoE leaves base rate at 0.5%

4 Aug 2011

Base kept at 0.5% for 29th consecutive month.

Coventry Intermediaries launches buy-to-let fix with no ERCs

3 Aug 2011

Deal is fixed for two years at 3.99%.

Barclays cuts rates by up to 0.55%

3 Aug 2011

Rate cuts affect up to 40% of lender’s mortgage range.

Nationwide reduces five-year fixes and two-year trackers

2 Aug 2011

Five-year fixed rate available at 3.99% up to 70% LTV and £99 fee.

Vertex head of financial services leaves firm

2 Aug 2011

Charlesworth is replaced by Robert Coyle.

HSBC increases UK mortgage lending by 35%

1 Aug 2011

Gross mortgage advances were £6.7bn in first half of year.

'US likely to be downgraded even if debt ceiling is increased'

29 Jul 2011

Capital Economics says downgrade can be avoided if US makes $4trn of spending cuts over 10 years.

B&B arrears fall while NRAM arrears increase

29 Jul 2011

Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock Asset Management make significant profits in H1.

Euro fears delay West Brom securitisation

28 Jul 2011

West Bromwich BS has postponed the issue of its £410m residential mortgage-backed securitisation due to concerns about market conditions in the eurozone.

Yorkshire BS profits up 27% in first half of 2011

28 Jul 2011

Gross mortgage lending doubled in first half of year compared to same period last year.

Cable wants ICB to justify ringfencing

28 July 2011

Price war looms for buy-to-let as lenders look to boost business

28 July 2011

Omnii launches client credit file access tool

27 Jul 2011

Product allows advisers to access customers’ credit files without client being present.

PosSol cuts 20% of head office jobs

27 Jul 2011

Positive Solutions is cutting almost a fifth of its head office workforce in a bid to reduce costs.

Skipton BS advances in first half of 2011 up 409% year-on-year

26 Jul 2011

Skipton reports pre-tax profit of £6.3m in H1, compared to £21.7m same period last year.

Hinckley & Rugby BS launches online application system

26 Jul 2011

Online system allows intermediaries to follow application through to completion.

Co-op Financial Services chief exec to step down

25 Jul 2011

Neville Richardson will step down from his roles as Co-operative Financial Services chief executive and group deputy chief executive later this year.

Coventry Intermediaries launches fixed range with no ERCs

22 Jul 2011

Products start from 2.99%.

Is RBS becoming more broker-friendly?

22 Jul 2011

Mortgage advisers report the bank is favouring intermediaries again following an aggressive dual-pricing strategy.

Yorkshire BS reduces fixed rates by up to 0.4%

22 Jul 2011

Two and five-year fixed rates start from 2.59% and 3.49% respectively.

Ex-Virgin and Egg chiefs to run letting agency

21 Jul 2011

Arrears fall in RMBS market

21 July 2011

Kensington doubles support service teams

21 July 2011

Nationwide reduces rates by up to 0.3%

20 Jul 2011

Rate reductions apply to all two and three-year fixes for new customers.

Gross mortgage lending up 16% in June

20 Jul 2011

Gross mortgage lending totalled £12.6bn in June.

Accord rolls out tracker-fix hybrid mortgages

19 Jul 2011

Product tracks base for two years and then fixed for three.

LSL and Connells acquire stake in conveyancing firm

18 Jul 2011

Joint venture sees LSL, Connells and existing management all take 33.33% stake.

UK buy-to-let RMBS performance improves in May

18 Jul 2011

Moody’s says buy-to-let borrowers will be able to cope with base rate increases.

Barclays launches FirstBuy mortgages from 4.59%

18 Jul 2011

Lender to reduce its fixed and tracker deals by up to 0.5%.

Can mortgage clubs survive?

15 Jul 2011

Paul Thomas reports on the polarisation of the mortgage club market.

Prospect of rate rise is receding

14 July 2011

Openwork appoints distribution and marketing MD

13 Jul 2011

Mark Duckworth currently commercial development director at Openwork.

TMW launches new buy-to-let products and reduces rates

13 Jul 2011

New trackers available from base plus 2.49%.

Castle Trust appoints James Neave as head of lending

12 Jul 2011

Neave previously managing director of CoreLogic Solutions.

Adviser jailed for £3m mortgage fraud

11 Jul 2011

Feruza Mettrick used identities of others to obtain mortgages on rented properties.

N&P warns of branch closures if Yorkshire merger collapses

11 Jul 2011

N&P says some products and services could also be withdrawn if members vote against merger.

Precise opens up product range to Scotland

8 Jul 2011

Precise Mortgages is opening up its entire product range to Scottish homeowners.

Abbey launches seven day deal at 3.35%

7 Jul 2011

Lenders also reduces rates by up to 0.2%.

Credit Suisse launches £482m securitisation

7 Jul 2011

Credit Suisse has launched a £482m securitisation.

Home-reversion launches could breathe Newlife into equity-release sector

7 July 2011

SFO launches probe into ETFs

6 Jul 2011

The Serious Fraud Office has launched a review into how exchange-traded funds are marketed.

Castle Trust appoints ex Burns Anderson CEO

6 Jul 2011

Mike Hughes joins as managing director of mortgages.

Saffron Building Society launches 95% LTV deal

6 Jul 2011

Mortgage aimed at first-time buyers who have been renting for 12 months or more.

Santander to sell The Mortgage Alliance to LSL

5 Jul 2011

LSL Property Services is set to acquire mortgage club The Mortgage Alliance from Santander, Money Marketing understands.

Grant Shapps calls on lenders to offer "mates mortgages"

5 Jul 2011

Grant Shapps calls for more “straightforward” products to help FTBs get on property ladder.

Aldermore launches two new buy-to-let deals

4 Jul 2011

Products start from 4.68%.

FSA: Small lenders fail to spot fraud risks

1 Jul 2011

Some small lenders are failing to identify fraud risks when they develop new mortgage products.

Lenders facing up to £380,000 annual bill to meet FSA guidelines

1 Jul 2011

Lenders face up to £380,000 annual bill to comply with the FSA’s mortgage fraud guidelines.

Surveyor convicted for £10m mortgage fraud

1 Jul 2011

Mary-Jane Rathie received gifts for inflating property prices to obtain mortgages for another woman.

Time to pass on the change

1 Jul 2011

House prices down 1.1% year-on-year in June

30 Jun 2011

Average price now £168,205.

FSA finds BTL being exploited

30 June 2011

Nine brokers probed for mortgage fraud

30 June 2011

'Vet brokers more rigorously'

30 June 2011

Trade bodies team up to battle EU mortgage regulation

29 Jun 2011

Five trade bodies calling for principles-based and proportionate approach to regulation.

Former Money Partners chief exec Colin Sanders joins Omni Capital

29 Jun 2011

Sanders joins as chief executive.

Gross lending by mutuals up 20% year-on-year in May

29 Jun 2011

Mortgage approvals up 15% to £1.8bn.

House prices down 2.2% year-on-year in May

28 Jun 2011

Prices fell by 0.4% between April and May.

Abbey to allow intermediaries to submit documents online

27 Jun 2011

Intermediaries can upload and amend documents online from tomorrow.

Mortgages fall to lowest ever rate, says Moneyfacts.co.uk

27 Jun 2011

Moneyfacts.co.uk says rate falls down to lower funding costs.

Trio join FSCS board

24 Jun 2011

Trio replace Sandy Kinney, Chris Woodburn and Terry Connor, who complete their time on the board.

Cameron wins Greek bail-out battle

24 Jun 2011

European contribution will be limited to eurozone countries.

Will green homeloans take off?

24 Jun 2011

Paul Thomas reports on why energy-efficient homeloans have failed to go mainstream.

CML appoints Paul Smee as new director general

23 Jun 2011

Smee takes up position on August 1.

Leeds seeks chief as favoured candidate falls ill

23 Jun 2011

Leeds Building Society is recruiting for a new chief executive in the event that deputy chief executive David Pickersgill.

Intermediaries abusing buy-to-let for self-cert borrowers

23 Jun 2011

FSA says brokers are “gaming” lenders’ systems to bypass stringent income checks.

Second-charge deposit deal links top-up loan to house price swings

23 June 2011

FSA orders lenders to improve broker vetting

22 Jun 2011

FSA says lenders should not rely on FSA register checks alone.

MPC swings 7-2 in favour of keeping rates at 0.5%

22 Jun 2011

New MPC member Ben Broadbent votes to keep rates the same.

JP Morgan pays $154m to end US fraud case

22 Jun 2011

JP Morgan alleged to have misled investors in mortgage-relates security.

Castle Trust appoints Martyn Guerin as chief operating officer

21 Jun 2011

Guerin joins from Barclays and will head firm’s mortgage team.

Repossessions up 17% in Q1

21 Jun 2011

FSA says number of cases in arrears fell 8% between Q4 2010 and Q1 2011.

US regulator sues JP Morgan and RBS for $800m

21 Jun 2011

National Credit Union Administration claims firms misrepresented risk associated with mortgage-backed securities.

Former Langbar chief jailed for misleading the market

20 Jun 2011

Stuart Pearson sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and banned from acting as director for five years.

JC Flowers backs new investment and mortgage business

20 Jun 2011

Firm will be chaired by former FSA chairman Callum McCarthy.

44% Plan to see a broker to fix up next mortgage

16 June 2011

Cable tax threat if banks fail to step up lending

16 June 2011

RBS warns ringfencing bank retail arms would raise risk

16 June 2011

Brokers urged to target unserviced bank customers

11 Jun 2011

Research shows 44% of borrowers plan on using broker when looking for next mortgage.

Virgin set to challenge banking big guns

10 Jun 2011

If Virgin’s bid to take over Northern Rock and hundreds of Lloyds’ branches is a success, the big banks will face a serious challenger almost overnight, reports Paul Thomas

BoE leaves base rate unchanged

9 Jun 2011

Base rate held at 0.5% for 27th consecutive month.

Increasing capital requirement will stunt lending, says HSBC

9 Jun 2011

Increase of even 1% will stop billions of pounds being lent.

CML expects positive tone and stability for lending and property prices

9 June 2011

Kensington RMBS ratings downgraded by Moody's

9 June 2011

Gov't plans to release land to build 100,000 new homes

8 Jun 2011

Gov’t departments to release thousands of acres to house builders by 2015.

Boxing promoter Barry Hughes in court over mortgage fraud charges

8 Jun 2011

Hughes and his wife alleged to have lied about income on mortgage application.

Platform reduces rates and launches new buy-to-let products

7 Jun 2011

Lender also launches range of products with no ERCs.

Ship looks to expand membership to advisers

7 Jun 2011

Former Aifa director general Paul Smee to head committee to look at expanding membership.

FSA cancels brokerage's permissions over unpaid fees

7 Jun 2011

Select Mortgage Services owed £1,675 to the regulator.

Kensington launches capped tracker range

6 Jun 2011

Rates start from 3.14%.

Mortgage product numbers reach three-year high

6 Jun 2011

Mortgage Brain says there are now 11,996 live products on its sourcing system.

FSA cancels mortgage broker's permissions

3 Jun 2011

Regulator cancels permissions over £1,137 of unpaid fees and levies.

Moody's warns of US downgrade

3 Jun 2011

Ratings agency says downgrade possible if US fails to raise cap on borrowing.

Yorkshire BS launches two new drop-lock mortgages

3 Jun 2011

Customers can switch from tracker to fixed rate without penalty.

£150K limit in complaint shake-up

2 June 2011

Barclays cuts rates for fourth time in six weeks

1 Jun 2011

Rates reduced by up to 0.21% on a number of fixed rates and trackers.

Skipton BS launches two new buy-to-let trackers

1 Jun 2011

Rates start from base rate plus 2.74%.

Mortgage Trust launches new buy-to-let range

31 May 2011

Rates start from 4.3%.

House prices up 0.8% in April

31 May 2011

Prices fell by 1.3% on annual basis.

First-time buyers fear they will never own a home

31 May 2011

Two-thirds think they will never own a home despite 77% saying they still aspire to homeownership.http://cms.moneymarketing.co.uk/cms/commentEdit.aspx?label=comment&id=42347&KeepThis=true&modal=true&TB_iframe=true&width=650&height=500#

FOS limit increased to £150,000

27 May 2011

FSA also confirms new complaint handling rules.

Abbey for Intermediaries increases large loan LTV

27 May 2011

LTV increased from 60% to 70% and lender has launched range of new products.

House prices up 0.3% in May

27 May 2011

But prices fall 1.2% on an annual basis.

Tiuta pulls out of regulated mortgage business

26 May 2011

Short-term lender now solely focused on professional bridging loans.

Majority of FTBs support tighter mortgage regulation

26 May 2011

79% think lenders were irresponsible before crisis.

Nationwide pares top LTV to 80%

26 May 2011

Nationwide has reduced the maximum loan to value for non-home improvement loans from 85 to 80 per cent.

BoE still split over rate rise

26 May 2011

Regulator probes RBS on Goodwin injunction

26 May 2011

Securitisation market back on track after Santander's £3.7bn success

26 May 2011

FSA fines Bank of Scotland £3.5m for complaint mishandling

25 May 2011

Bank to pay up to £17m in compensation for mishandling of investment complaints.

IMF leader should be from developing nation, say Brics

25 May 2011

Brics countries express concern at statements saying role should stay in European hands.

'Monetary policy levers futile against recent inflation shocks'

24 May 2011

MPC member Paul Fisher says putting base rate up would be “wrong” at present moment.

Woolwich slashes Bovis new build mortgage by 1.2%

24 May 2011

Rate cut from 4.99% to 3.79%.

Paragon reports 34.8% increase in pre-tax profits

24 May 2011

Lender reports £39.5m pre-tax profit in first half of 2011, compared to £29.3m same time last year.

Banks fall short of Merlin lending targets

23 May 2011

Lending to SMEs falls £2.2bn short of the £19bn quarterly target.

Mortgage lenders wage 'rate war' in race for market share

20 May 2011

Lenders have entered into “a rate war” that has seen many make significant cuts to their mortgage rates in a bid to grab market share, according to brokers.

Gross lending falls 14% in April

20 May 2011

Gross lending down to £9.8bn from £11.4bn in March.

Fred Goodwin super-injunction details raised in Lords

19 May 2011

Lord Stoneham used parliamentary privilege to discuss details of Goodwin’s super injunction.

Precise Mortgages enters short-term lending market

19 May 2011

Launch date to be announced next week.

Advisers split on whether RDR to boost standards

19 May 2011

N&P makes a buy-to-let comeback

19 May 2011

UK inflation rises to 4.5% in April

17 May 2011

Inflation up from 4 per cent in March.

Largemortgageloans.com hires Mike Perrin as head of sales

16 May 2011

Perrin was formerly a director at Savills Private Finance.

Northern Rock launches Freedom to Fix tracker

16 May 2011

New tracker allows customers to switch to fix without early repayment charges.

Co-op and Britannia launch two-year fix at 85% LTV

13 May 2011

Lenders also reduced rates on number of three and five-year fixed rates.

Coles says societies should link up to promote mutual sector

13 May 2011

Free advice service will act like a canary in a coalmine and guide regulation

13 May 2011

Remortgage activity rebounds in first quarter

13 May 2011

CML says it is linked to expectations of rise in interest rates.

HML to axe 113 jobs

12 May 2011

Job cuts come as part of cost cutting measures, which will see closure of Padiham office.

HSBC defends BBA over dropping of PPI review

12 May 2011

HSBC only major highstreet bank to publicly defend the British Bankers’ Association for its handling of the failed PPI judicial review.

Banks are slammed for selling structured deposits to mass market

12 May 2011

FSA says compliance not up to scratch at some societies

12 May 2011

Yorkshire says it could make a bid for the Rock

12 May 2011

HSBC to cut costs by up to £2bn

11 May 2011

Bank not looking to make cuts to its UK operations.

Skipton BS launches new buy-to-let range up to 70% LTV

10 May 2011

Products available direct-only through society’s telephone service.

Property supply increases in April, say surveyors

10 May 2011

Surveyors expect house prices to increase over next three months.

Kensington launches exclusive 90% LTV deals through L&G

9 May 2011

Rates start from 5.79%.

House prices down 3.7% year-on-year in April

9 May 2011

Average price now stands at £160,395, says Halifax.

The big swindle

6 May 2011

Buyout for Savills PF

5 May 2011

'FSA should not wait for EU on regulation'

4 May 2011

European Mortgage Federation says EC directive “not fit for purpose”.

Buy-to-let fears as lenders aim for amateur landlords

28 April 2011

Taylor made for Nottingham BS operations director role

28 April 2011

Yorkshire in deal to take over N&P

28 April 2011

Nationwide director warns of big arrears rise if rates increase

22 Apr 2011

Increases in the bank rate could force lenders to adopt harsher repossession strategies, according to Nationwide group distribution director Matthew Wyles.

Sub-prime lenders to blame for most repos

22 Apr 2011

Sub-prime lenders are to blame for most of repossession cases in the property market, says Nationwide group distribution director Matthew Wyles.

Brokers banned and fined £450k

21 April 2011

Mortgage Trust back with BTL loans

21 April 2011

Gross mortgage lending up 21% in March

20 Apr 2011

Figure 2% down from £11.5bn in March 2010.

N&P appoints new chief executive

19 Apr 2011

Anne Gunther previously chief executive of Standard Life Bank.

Tesco gearing up for summer mortgage launch

19 Apr 2011

Supermarket giant has “excess” of deposits over loans in preparation of mortgage launch.

Northern Rock cuts buy-to-let fixed rates by up to 0.4%

18 Apr 2011

Lender has launched a number of buy-to-let percentage fee products and tracker.

Mortgage Trust returns to new lending

18 Apr 2011

Buy-to-let lender MT pulled out of new lending in February 2008.

Personal Touch recruits acquisition specialist

15 Apr 2011

Unilever to close final salary pension scheme

14 Apr 2011

Just 21% of private sector schemes now open to new joiners, compared with 88% 10 years ago.

Borrowers moving to offset rates

14 April 2011

OFT swoops to shut down lead websites

14 April 2011

Skills Academy and Pru in training deal

14 April 2011

TMW launches new buy-to-let range

13 Apr 2011

Range includes one-year tracker at base rate plus 1.99% up to 65% LTV.

Just Retirement's equity release advances up 20.4% in 2010

11 Apr 2011

Group pre-tax profit down 51.1% to £25.5m in 2010.

EU looking to agree Portugal bail-out by mid-May

8 Apr 2011

The European Union is looking to agree a bail-out package for debt-stricken Portugal by the middle of May.

Average LTV at highest level in three years

8 Apr 2011

Average LTV now 60.8%, up from 56.2% in March 2010.

Coventry BS launches new fixed and variable rate deals

8 Apr 2011

Fixed rates start at 4.15% and flexx deals at 2.59%.

The Horta-Osório effect

8 Apr 2011

Brokers are looking to see if the new Lloyds chief executive is going to bring Santander’s intermediary approach with him.

Age UK wants IFA link

7 Apr 2011

Age UK Enterprises is looking to form a referral partnership with a national IFA firm to give its customers access to independent financial advice.

Portugal asks for EU bail-out

7 Apr 2011

UK could be asked to contribute up to £4.4bn.

FSA cancels adviser's permissions over unpaid CCJs

6 Apr 2011

The twelve CCJs against the adviser, or her firm, totalled £531,224.

Countrywide bid for Savills falls through

6 Apr 2011

Talks between Countrywide and Savills Private Finance over a potential acquisition have collapsed, Money Marketing understands.

Mortgage product numbers up 123% in past year

6 Apr 2011

Over 500 new products added in March, taking total products to 10,418.

Precise Mortgages makes all products available to 80% LTV

5 Apr 2011

Lender has also replaced its percentage fees with fixed fees.

Base rate increase could derail recovery, says BCC

5 Apr 2011

Q1 saw small upturn in economy after 0.5% decline in Q4 2010.

Countrywide acquires Mortgage Intelligence

4 Apr 2011

Countrywide has acquired Mortgage Intelligence in a deal that has raised its mortgage market share to over six per cent.

Govt's free advice service launches today

4 Apr 2011

Service available online, over phone and face-to-face.

Financial services sector grows for third quarter in a row

4 Apr 2011

Business volumes grew across all sectors, apart from banking and finance houses.

Mansion tax to replace 50% rate could hit house prices

1 Apr 2011

Brokers fear the Government’s plans to tax high-end properties could stifle property values at the top end of the market.

Royal London appoints Andrew Palmer as non-executive director

1 Apr 2011

Palmer previously Legal & General group finance director.

Pink and BDS networks to merge

1 Apr 2011

All advisers now come under Pink banner.

EC directive to cost up to £554m

31 Mar 2011

EC also estimates ongoing costs to be in the region of £236m and £290m.

Lloyds chief to get £4.6m "golden hello"

31 Mar 2011

Antonio Horta-Osorio to receive payment as part of £13.5m total package.

680 Jobs axed at Northern Rock in latest round of cuts

31 March 2011

No fears at Santander departures

31 March 2011

Osborne says industry wanted 10,000 newbuilds for FTBs

31 March 2011

Lloyds caps Halifax interest-only LTV at 75%

30 Mar 2011

Lender currently lends to 85% LTV on interest-only.

The Good Mortgage Company searches for buyer

30 Mar 2011

The Good Mortgage Company searches for financial support after Octopus pulls funding.

OBR: Rising oil and food prices biggest threat to fiscal plans

29 Mar 2011

OBR chairman Robert Chote says Treasury did not influence its forecast.

Skipton BS launches new 90% LTV two-year fixed

29 Mar 2011

Additions include two, three and fiver-year 90% LTV fixed rates.

Chorley BS launches 90% exclusive through Mortgageforce

28 Mar 2011

Product is two-year discount at 4.99%.

Shared scheme is 'small plaster on a big wound'

25 Mar 2011

Mortgage experts suggest the £250m shared-equity scheme to help first-time buyers raise a deposit will have a limited impact in boosting the housing market.

Northern Rock cuts fixed rates by up to 0.11%

25 Mar 2011

Rates reduced on selected two and three-year fixed rates.

Mortgageforce management completes buyout from West Brom BS

24 Mar 2011

Deal was agreed in May last year.

TrigoldCrystal plans for life after collapsed Mortgage Brain merger

24 Mar 2011

Software firm says it plans to invest in products and services.

£1.9M loss for Savills FS arm

24 March 2011

Concerns rise as Turner says Basel isn't tough enough

24 March 2011

Lloyds brings in councils to lend a hand

24 March 2011

Mortgage Brain pulls plug on Trigold merger

24 March 2011

Tomlins leaves Cazenove to join M&G fixed-income team

24 March 2011

Budget 2011: Govt confirms £250m scheme to help first-time buyers

23 Mar 2011

Move will help up to 10,000 FTBs raise a deposit for a home.

Sentance says inflation could rise above 5% this year

22 Mar 2011

MPC member warns failure to take timely monetary policy action risks a more abrupt interest rate rise in the future.

Northern Rock returns to securitisation market

22 Mar 2011

State-backed bank planning to re-enter the securitisation market for the first time since receiving its Government bailout.

M&G hires James Tomlins as fixed income manager

22 Mar 2011

Tomlins joins on June 20.

Yorkshire BS and Norwich & Peterborough in merger talks

18 Mar 2011

Spokeswoman says deal is not certain.

L&G launches exclusive fixed rate range with Cambridge BS

18 Mar 2011

Rates start from 3.49 per cent.

OFT refers Mortgage Brain-TrigoldCrystal merger to Competition Commission

17 Mar 2011

Mortgage Brain chief executive Mark Lofthouse “disappointed” by OFT’s decision.

Savills' financial services arm reports £1.9m loss

17 Mar 2011

Group pre-tax profit up 173% from £13.5m to £36.8m.

BSA looks to Sutherland for diversity help

17 March 2011

Regulator to order 140 skilled persons reports

17 March 2011

BSA urges Government to make stamp duty exemption permanent

16 Mar 2011

BSA also calls for Northern Rock remutualisation ahead of next week’s Budget announcement.

Jim Dunn appointed CML Scotland chairman

11 Mar 2011

Dunn takes over from Lloyds Banking Group head of housing development Douglas Cochrane.

Soldier of misfortune

11 Mar 2011

FSA appoints John Sutherland as building societies adviser

10 Mar 2011

Sutherland has 36 years experience in retail banking.

Connells launches exclusive 90% LTV mortgage with NatWest

10 Mar 2011

Aviva market share on rise

10 March 2011

Clydesdale and Yorks reject watchdog's verdict over loan blunders

10 March 2011

Stonehaven back in equity-release sales

10 March 2011

Former FSA MD Jon Pain joins KPMG

8 Mar 2011

Former FSA managing director of supervision Jon Pain is to join KPMG in July.

Two-year trackers fall to lowest rate since 1988

7 Mar 2011

However, two-year fixed rates at highest rates in ten months.

Platform to remove products due to high demand

4 Mar 2011

New selection of two-year fixed and trackers available next Tuesday.

Santander FSCS admission

4 Mar 2011

House prices down 0.9 per cent in February

4 Mar 2011

Average price now £162,657.

Cable looks to remove barriers for small businesses

4 Mar 2011

Business secretary Vince Cable says he will look to remove barriers for small businesses in an attempt to boost the economy.

Savills launches exclusive auction finance bridging product

3 Mar 2011

AMI says advice should be default for most borrowers

3 March 2011

'Merlin misses out mortgages due to debt fear'

3 March 2011

Stephen Knight quits due to illness

3 March 2011

Skipton BS to offer 95% LTV mortgage through Connells

2 Mar 2011

Product is two-year fixed at 6.49 per cent.

90 staff to leave HML following GMAC account loss

2 Mar 2011

There are 36 compulsory redundancies and 54 voluntary redundancies.

'FSA staff who dealt with bank risk were too junior'

2 Mar 2011

Bank of England governor Mervyn King says that FSA staff who were responsible for challenging banks’ risk-taking strategies were too junior for the role.

Crown Mortgage Management hires new finance director

1 Mar 2011

Andrew Doyle has over 25 years experience in financial services.

Coventry BS responsible for 17% of building society mortgage advances

1 Mar 2011

CBS reports pre-tax profit of £100.6m.

House prices up 0.2% in January

28 Feb 2011

Prices up 0.9% on annual basis, says Land Registry.

CHL Mortgages appoints new finance director

28 Feb 2011

Sunny Lo previously held the post six years ago before leaving the lender.

Compulsory advice could benefit some borrowers, says AMI

25 Feb 2011

CML and Imla believe borrowers should have a choice.

Yorkshire BS reports £115m pre-tax profit in 2010

24 Feb 2011

Building Society also triples mortgage lending year-on-year.

Aegon multi-asset fund aims for 10% annual return

24 February 2011

Halifax SVR blunder could cost £500m

24 February 2011

Mig will not aid FTBs unless FSA relaxes rules on capital

24 February 2011

Which? calls for sale and rentback crackdown as it reports two firms

24 February 2011

Rob Clifford joins Direct Valuations board

23 Feb 2011

Clifford previously Virgin Money managing director.

TenetLime reports £568k pre-tax loss

22 Feb 2011

Network says loss due to decreased profit margin and increased operating expenses.

Nationwide increases fixed rates in reaction to rising swap rates

22 Feb 2011

Lender increased certain fixed rates by 0.3%.

Lloyds to conduct £500m mortgage past business review

21 Feb 2011

Lloyds Banking Group has agreed with the FSA to undertake a review of past mortgage contracts which could cost the lender up to £500m.

Compliance director Ferris-Caley leaves Personal Touch

18 Feb 2011

Gross mortgage lending down 13% in January

18 Feb 2011

Gross lending up 5% on January 2010, says CML.

In search of a plan B

18 Feb 2011

Abbey for Intermediaries launches new fixed and tracker deals

17 Feb 2011

Lender also reducing rate on a four-year fixed.

Barclays suing Savills in £12m loan case

17 February 2011

Repossessions to fall in first half of 2011

16 Feb 2011

But HML says repossessions will rise in second half of 2011.

Syndicate Asset Management appoints Mark Cheshire as chief executive

15 Feb 2011

Cheshire appointed interim CEO in December following resignation of Jonathan Freeman.

David Child appointed as Baigrie Davies LifeSearch chairman

14 Feb 2011

Baigrie Davies LifeSearch has appointed David Child as non-executive chairman.

Ward: 'Mortgages could take 10 years to rally'

11 Feb 2011

Home Funding chief executive Tony Ward fears the mortgage market could take 10 years to recover because there will be no significant activity in the securitisation market for up to five years.