Mortgage Strategy
10 January 2005
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1st appoints chief technology officer
13 Jan 2005
1st, the technology solutions provider for financial intermediaries, has appointed Paul Creamer to its board of directors, in the role of chief technology officer. Creamer joined 1st in February 2004 following his former position as principal solutions architect at Marlborough Stirling, working on the sapphire project and officeweb.
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ABI publishes guidance to PMI regulation
10 Jan 2005
The Association of British Insurers has published a statement of best practice for the selling of private medical insurance cover, to assist insurance companies offering private medical insurance products.
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ABI says GI regulation will boost consumer protection
14 Jan 2005
Statutory regulation of the sale of general insurance products will build on the industry's existing commitment to high standards of customer service and protection, says the Association of British Insurers.
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Age Concern launches lifetime mortgage
14 Jan 2005
The charity Age Concern has launched its own lifetime mortgage.
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All systems go for the FSA as GI-Day arrives
14 Jan 2005
From today, customers taking out or renewing a general insurance policy will enjoy additional protection from the Financial Services Authority.
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Amber re-launches discounted products
14 Jan 2005
Amber Homeloans is re-launching the light and medium adverse full status mortgage products, with increased discounts off the pay rates.
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AMI checklist guides brokers through GI maze
10 Jan 2005
Mortgage intermediaries have been urged to make sure their businesses comply with new rules for general insurance, or face FSA enforcement action.
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Average new mortgage loan up almost 21% in 2004
11 Jan 2005
Britons took on bigger mortgages in 2004 even as the property market slowed, says Moneyextra.
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Bank of Ireland launches true self-cert
14 Jan 2005
Bank of Ireland Mortgages has launched two-year options and true self-cert products with its January mortgage range.
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Bank of Scotland
11 Jan 2005
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Banking sector makes more than 30,000 every minute
11 Jan 2005
Nationwide has estimated that in 2004, the banking sector will have made more than 30,000 pre-tax profit a minute.
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Base rate decision no surprise, says Purely Mortgages
13 Jan 2005
Purely Mortgages says the Bank of England's decision to maintain the base rate was expected and that interest rates may now have peaked. Mark Chilton, chief executive of Purely Mortgages, says: "With continuing downbeat news on the housing market and economy it comes as no surprise that the MPC has elected to hold rates again for the fifth consecutive month.
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Baseline Capital expands Basel II data pool
13 Jan 2005
Baseline Capital says eight mortgage lenders have confirmed they will join its Basel II data pool.
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BDS Mortgage Group expands sales team
12 Jan 2005
BDS Mortgage Group, the south coast-based mortgage packager and distributor, has appointed Steve Quinn as a business development manager.
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Blairs turn to buy-to-let as house prices drop
14 Jan 2005
Tony and Cherie Blair have put their 3.65m London home up for rent, it was reported today.
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Builders blame media for current depression in housing market
14 Jan 2005
John Callcutt, chief executive of Crest Nicholson, leant his support to housebuilder Barratt and Persimmon, who say the market is suffering from negative media reporting0.
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Burns-Anderson's CEO and director of regulatory risk resign
10 Jan 2005
Burns-Anderson's chief executive Ian Parsons and David Wallace, director of regulatory risk, have both resigned with immediate effect.
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Charcol predicts base rate fall by mid-year
13 Jan 2005
Charcol says the Monetary Policy Committee decision to freeze base rate this month was expected. Ray Boulger, senior technical manager of Charcol, says: "Although the possibility of a reduction was discussed at last month's meeting the MPC has, as expected, frozen base rate for another month.
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Chase UK appoints sales director
14 Jan 2005
Chase UK has appointed Steve Swyny as sales director from January 1 2005.
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Cheshire Mortgage launches micro mortgages product
12 Jan 2005
A micro mortgage product aimed at mortgages of between 3,000 and 30,000 and accessible to all clients, is being launched by Cheshire Mortgage Corporation.
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Commonhold is this the way forward?
14 Jan 2005
The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 came into force on September 27, 2004, and introduces a new form of land ownership commonhold.
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Compliance concerns with tommorows FSA deadline
13 Jan 2005
As many as 96% of general insurance senior management say many firms will not be compliant by tomorrows January 14 deadline, despite beingauthorised by FSA, says Docucorp.
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Conservatives unveil options to reverse savings decline
11 Jan 2005
The Conservative Party has unveiled six options to reverse the decline of savings in the UK.
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Consumer confidence at record low but stable
10 Jan 2005
The Woolwich consumer confidence index shows signs that confidence among homeowners may be stabilising with a fall of 15 last month, with 39% now believing that their property will continue to increase in value.
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Coventry Building Society
11 Jan 2005
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Elephant Loans secures contract with Money Partners
12 Jan 2005
Elephant Loans has secured a packaging contract with non-conforming lender Money Partners.
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em launches three exclusives from Platform
12 Jan 2005
em-homeloans has launched three exclusives from its Px range in conjunction with Platform Homeloans.
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Encore confident about GI Day
12 Jan 2005
The Encore team says it is confident that the forthcoming General Insurance Day will run just as smoothly as M-Day.
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Everest Commerical Division launches new website
10 Jan 2005
Everest Commercial Division has launched its new website.
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Fears over 100 jobs at loan firm
12 Jan 2005
A Wolverhampton mortgage broker has been closed amid reports that more than 100 people had been left without jobs and thousands of customer accounts put in jeopardy.
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First National joins AXA regulated panel
11 Jan 2005
First National has been appointed to the newly formed AXA regulated packaged lending panel.
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FOS publishes its budget proposals
14 Jan 2005
The Financial Ombudsman Service has published for consultation its budget proposals and workload forecasts for the next financial year, 2005/06.
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Freedom Lending
13 Jan 2005
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Freehold gives helping hand to small packagers
14 Jan 2005
Small to medium-sized packagers are being invited to join forces under newly-formed packaging association Freehold.
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Freehold on the lookout for smaller packagers
10 Jan 2005
Freehold, a new mortgage packager collective, is looking to talk with small to medium size independent packagers who want to compete on a level playing field with larger packagers and packaging groups. Paul Brett, spokesman for Freehold, says: "I run a successful packaging operation, but like many others, there is a danger of being marginalised not only by larger players in terms of the products I can offer my brokers but also by the effects of regulation and the increased costs ...
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FS providers failing to tap into over-50s goldmine
13 Jan 2005
A report from independent market analyst Datamonitor, reveals that many financial services providers ignore the changes happening among senior customers and often take them for granted.
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FSA kick-starts KFI awareness campaign
10 Jan 2005
The Financial Services Authority kick-started a KFI awareness campaign in the national press today.
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Gap between pensioner incomes and cost of living soars
12 Jan 2005
Research from Key Retirement Solutions has revealed that the cost of the contents of the average retirees' shopping basket has risen 45% over the last 10 years.
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GI firms warns of compliance concerns
10 Jan 2005
A staggering 96% of general insurance senior management say many firms will not be compliant by the January 14 deadline, despite being authorised by the Financial Services Authority.
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Help the tsunami victims with your old mobile
10 Jan 2005
Victims in tsunami-stricken areas are set to receive a helping hand through the recycling of old mobile phones and printer cartridges.
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Housing Market shows signs of a soft landing
13 Jan 2005
The CML says there are encouraging signs of a soft landing in the housing market.
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Huntswood urges firms to review outsourcing
10 Jan 2005
Huntswood Consulting is urging financial services firms to review their outsourcing arrangements in response to FSA guidelines.
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Interim authorisation introduced for GI regulation
13 Jan 2005
The introduction of interim authorisation by the Treasury allows firms who submit a completed application by January 14 but who have not received a final decision from the FSA by that date, to continue trading until adecision is reached, or for a year if that is a shorter time.
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Jobs to be cut in financial services
10 Jan 2005
The latest quarterly survey of the industry, published by the CBI and PricewaterhouseCoopers, shows that despite optimism rising as business returns to growth, many firms are expecting to shed jobs over the next three months at the fastest rate for two years.
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Kensington appoints manager for business support centre
13 Jan 2005
Beverley Dunne has been appointed as Divisional account manager to head up Kensington's new business support centre.
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Labour says mortgage rates lowest for 40 years
11 Jan 2005
The Labour Party today launches the first wave of its national advertising for 2005 with a focus on the economy, one of the facts that the posters will highlight is that mortgage rates are the lowest for 40 years.
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Landlords confident about prospects for buy-to-let
11 Jan 2005
Landlords remain upbeat about prospects for the buy-to-let sector despite a difficult past 12 months, research out from Savills Private Finance reveals.
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Latest CII certificate gains QCA accreditation
10 Jan 2005
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has accredited the Certificate in Financial Planning and Long Term Care Insurance, the Chartered Insurance Institute has announced.
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Lenders could be made responsible for packager activity
12 Jan 2005
Lenders may be forced to take responsibility for packagers under new proposals from the Financial Services Authority .
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Lenders only to take responsibility for authorised packagers
13 Jan 2005
Lenders will only be required to take responsibility for authorised packagers, not pure packagers, under new proposals from the Financial Services Authority.
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Low-paid Londoners could be granted half price homes
14 Jan 2005
It has been speculated that up to 50,000 properties across London will be built in the next five years, and sold at up to half the market rate.
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Mortgage Choice launches its new website
12 Jan 2005
Packager, Mortgage Choice has launched its new website.
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Mortgage Trust introduces Tax guide
14 Jan 2005
Buy-to-let specialist Mortgage Trust, in conjunction with Perrys Chartered Accountants, has produced an accessible guide to help advisers answer any Tax questions.
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Mortgages PLC goes for growth
10 Jan 2005
Mortgages PLC has confirmed that 2005 is to be the year in which it aims to rapidly expand the size of its business.
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NAEA plea to reduce Bank of England base rate
12 Jan 2005
The National Association of Estate Agents has called on the Bank of England to reduce the base rate.
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National Guarantee selects SDS MAPS
12 Jan 2005
National Guarantee has selected technology provider SDS MAPS to enhance its internal efficiency and productivity.
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Nationwide's free MPPI offer to expire
11 Jan 2005
Nationwides offer of 12 months free mortgage payment protection insurance for mortgage borrowers will be withdrawn at close of business on January 13.
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Network Data increases ARs by 89% in two months
11 Jan 2005
Figures published on the FSA web register show Network Data currently has 543 appointed representatives, an 89% increase on the 288 it had on November 1 2004.
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New home prices steady into 2005
10 Jan 2005
The average price of a new home in the UK fell by 0.9% last month to end the year at 266,380, data out from SmartNewHomes.com reveals.
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No consumer spending collapse, says F&C
13 Jan 2005
Despite disappointing Christmas sales, F&C Asset Management believes that fears about a collapse in consumer spending are overdone.
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Norwich Union reduces life premiums
10 Jan 2005
Norwich Union has revealed that it is reducing the premiums on its stand alone term assurance with effect from January 10, 2005.
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NU reduces rates on fixed lifetime mortgage
11 Jan 2005
Norwich Union has reduced the interest rates on its fixed rate lifetime mortgage.
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One in three to start new year with debt detox, says B&B
11 Jan 2005
Research by Bradford & Bingley reveals that over a third of people plan to reduce their debts in 2005.
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OTS named EU coordinating supervisor of GE
10 Jan 2005
The Office of Thrift Supervision, the U.S, consolidated holding company supervisor of General Electric, was told on December 21, 2004, that it was named GE Capital ServicesLimited's coordinating supervisor in the European Union.
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Overseas property market set to rocket in 2005
11 Jan 2005
The year 2005 is set to mark a watershed in the overseas property market, predicts Conti Financial Services.
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Pink attempts to increase Scottish presence
12 Jan 2005
Pink Home Loans has made further moves to take a bigger share of the Scottish market.
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Popularity of terraced housing increasing, says N&P
10 Jan 2005
Although most homebuyers prefer detached housing, the popularity of terraces grew throughout 2004 according to Norwich and Peterborough.
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Prizes for Premier Mortgage Service Members
10 Jan 2005
Premier Mortgage Service has revealed the prize winners of its special Christmas draw.
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S&P agents update general insurance system
11 Jan 2005
Select & Protect has confirmed that over 75% of its registered agents had updated their general insurance system by close of business on January 10.
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Saffron Walden Herts & Essex strengthens its board
10 Jan 2005
The Saffron Walden Herts & Essex has strengthened its board and executive team with the appointment of an operations director.
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Salans welcomes the Clementi Review findings
10 Jan 2005
Salans says it welcomes the conclusions Sir David Clementi draws in his review of the regulatory framework for legal services in England and Wales.
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SecureMove dismiss rumours of merge with Countrywide Surveying
11 Jan 2005
SecureMove Property Services, recently acquired by Countrywide from Bradford & Bingley, has dismissed speculation that it may be merging into Countrywide Surveying.
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Skipton expands its buy-to-let range
10 Jan 2005
Skipton has expanded its choices for residential buy-to-let borrowers with the launch of new discount and fixed rate products.
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Society of Mortgage Professionals links up with City & Guilds
11 Jan 2005
The Society of Mortgage Professionals has linked up with City & Guilds, giving its members access to 2,000 training facilities across the UK.
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Solicitor first in UK to qualify as certified financial planner
11 Jan 2005
Peter Nellist has just become the first solicitor in the country to qualify as a certified financial planner.
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Standard Life launches extranet service
13 Jan 2005
Standard Life announced today the launch of an enhanced extranet service for advisers called www.adviserzone.com.
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Sunday Group appoints Michael Pike as sales director
12 Jan 2005
Sunday Group has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Michael Pike as sales director.
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TBMC unveils Mortgage Trust buy-to-let rates
10 Jan 2005
The Business Mortgage Company has launched a range of Mortgage Trust buy-to-let rates with limited distribution.
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TFC drops fees to 99
14 Jan 2005
The Finance Centre has dropped its fees again to a special flat fee of 99 for all applications received.The firm has also enhanced its procuration fee on its product range to further help brokers kick start 2005.Wayne Smethurst, managing director of TFC, says: "Further enhancements to our TRACK online processing system have allowed us to pass these savings on to the consumer."It means putting money back in the pocket of the consumer."
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The Bank of England maintains interest rates
13 Jan 2005
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee has maintained the Bank base rate at 4.75%.
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The regulation now arriving
14 Jan 2005
The mortgage industry is just coming terms with one set of regulation when, like an unexpected houseguest at Christmas, another one arrives. General insurance regulation came into force last night (January 13) at midnight, with some industry sources predicting that it could cause brokers as much of a headache as mortgage compliance.
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Tiner to address first AMI Annual Dinner
14 Jan 2005
John Tiner, chief executive of the Financial Services Authority, is to be the principal speaker at the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries first annual dinner.
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Tipton & Coseley launches fixed rate range
11 Jan 2005
Tipton & Coseley has launched a range of fixed rate mortgages with lower interest rates.
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TMO launch prime self-cert and buy-to-let products
12 Jan 2005
The Mortgage Operation has launched prime self-cert and buy-to-let products.
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TMW reduces rates on B2L mortgages
10 Jan 2005
The Mortgage Works has reduced the interest rates on a number of its buy-to-let mortgages to ensure that its products are now amongst the most competitive available in the market.
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US interest rates remain steady
10 Jan 2005
Last year I said we shouldn't read too much into the mention of rate cuts by some members of the MPC in the most recent minutes.
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Welsh house prices grow faster than UK average
11 Jan 2005
Following a year of accelerating growth, the brakes are on the Welsh housing market say figures released by the Principality.
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Which? expresses concern over insurance regulation
14 Jan 2005
Louise Hanson, head of campaigns at Which?, says although GI regulation is a good thing, there are concerns that complex products will be treated the same as simpler ones.
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Yes Loans and Mortgages links with HR firm Blue Apple
10 Jan 2005
Cardiff-based Yes Loans and Mortgagest has joined forces with Welsh HR firm Blue Apple to handle and develop its staff culture.
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Yorkshire and HFS launch Child Trust Fund products
12 Jan 2005
Yorkshire and the Homeowners Friendly Society has launched a Child Trust Fund.
