Mortgage Strategy
13 April 2009

  • 100% Right to Buy loans are just crazy

    13 Apr 2009

    Dundee Council looks like being the first local authority to take the plunge into mortgage lending.

  • 60 Seconds with... Richard Verdin

    13 Apr 2009

    What’s happening at Norwich Union at the moment?Getting to understand Norwich Union - soon to be renamed Aviva - is no mean feat as it’s a big company.

  • A summit of few achievements

    13 Apr 2009

    The agreement that followed the G20 summit on April 2 is already being feted as historic but on reflection it's hard to see what the $1.1trillion boost to the world economy will achieve.

  • A&L extends fee-free range

    16 Apr 2009

    Alliance & Leicester Intermediary Sales is extending its range of fee-free mortgages with the launch of three and four-year fixed rate remortgage and homebuyer deals, available up to 75% LTV.

  • AMI will push for clampdown on rogue networks

    13 Apr 2009

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries says it will increase pressure on the Financial Services Authority to take action against networks that delay payment.

  • ARLA reveals Budget wish list

    15 Apr 2009

    The Association of Residential Letting Agents is putting pressure on Chancellor Alistair Darling to take radical action in his April 22 Budget.

  • Assurant added to Paradigm GI panel

    13 Apr 2009

    Assurant Intermediary has been added to Paradigm Mortgage Services' general insurance panel. Members can now offer Assurant's GI range, which includes ASU cover with MPPI, PPI and income protection.

  • Assurant Intermediary launches online marketing toolkit

    14 Apr 2009

    General insurance provider, Assurant Intermediary, has launched an online marketing toolkit for its brokers.

  • Average LTV rates hit two-year low

    17 Apr 2009

    Moneyextra.com's mortgage index reveals the average LTV rate has hit a two-year low, along with the actual number of mortgage loans available.

  • Bailed out banks may be unstable, warns Osborne

    13 Apr 2009

    Banks bailed out by the government could pose a risk to financial stability, shadow chancellor George Osborne has warned.

  • Bluefin closes Thinc networks and partners with Sesame

    16 Apr 2009

    Bluefin Advisory Services has decided to close its Thinc networks and given members the option to transfer to rival network Sesame.

  • Brokers have winning smiles after the big race

    13 Apr 2009

    When 100-1 shocker Mon Mome romped home in this month's Grand National ridden by Liam Treadwell, one bookmaker had to pay out £40m - even more than Sir Fred Goodwin's pension.

  • Brokers turn to discount club to boost income

    13 Apr 2009

    Utility Warehouse, a discount club which aims to cut consumers' household bills, claims it has seen a surge in the number of mortgage brokers signing up to use its service.

  • Brokers urge lenders to follow HSBC's lead on products

    13 Apr 2009

    Brokers are calling on lenders to follow in HSBC's footsteps and bring more competitive products to the mortgage market.

  • Brokers worry BM Solutions will follow C&G and get tough on B2L

    13 Apr 2009

    Brokers are concerned about the future of BM Solutions as a major buy-to-let lender after Cheltenham & Gloucester restricted its lending criteria last week.

  • Build relationships and avoid the tarts

    13 Apr 2009

    As the sales guru for the Marketing Information Forum I have been debating the value of brokers securing business by paying for leads.

  • BuildStore calls for more self-build funding

    17 Apr 2009

    BuildStore is calling for lenders to provide more funding for self-build as the government lends support to the idea that more self-build land should be made available.

  • Buyer interest gaining momentum, says RICS

    15 Apr 2009

    Enthusiasm amongst buyers is gaining momentum as new buyer enquiries rise for the fifth consecutive month, the latest data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reveals.

  • Call to fund more self-build loans

    13 Apr 2009

    BuildStore has called for more funding from lenders to help meet demand for self-build mortgages and pull construction workers out of the dole queue.

  • Cheap chic

    14 Apr 2009

    With Easter out of the way and spring well and truly here it’s time to look forward to long, hot days at the beach.

  • CML reveals 900,000 in negative equity

    16 Apr 2009

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has revealed that 900,000 homeowners currently have some degree of negative equity.

  • Colleys consolidation will lead to over 100 surveyors losing jobs

    13 Apr 2009

    Colleys, Halifax's inhouse valuation and surveying firm, has placed all 400 of its chartered surveyors into consultation.

  • Commercial interest drives TMA/BuildLoan seminars

    15 Apr 2009

    The Mortgage Alliance says renewed interest in the commercial market has resulted in strong demand for its upcoming seminar co-hosted with BuildLoan.

  • Corrie star joins claims management firm

    14 Apr 2009

    Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, who plays Kevin Webster in the TV soap, is to become a board director at claims management firm Ratio Money.

  • Debt firm adding 70 introducers per week

    13 Apr 2009

    TCF Debt Solutions is adding 70 introducers per week as the trend towards debt management gathers pace, says the firm's managing director Andy Moody.

  • Dishonesty will undermine HIPs

    13 Apr 2009

    When Hector Sants, chief executive of the Financial Services Authority, recently remarked that principles-based regulation does not work with those who have no principles he caused quite a stir in the broker community.

  • Downturn hits middle class sellers

    14 Apr 2009

    The middle classes are emerging as the latest casualty of the economic downturn as Property Portfolio Rescue reports that enquiries from middle class home owners have jumped 224% since last year.

  • Equity release lending drops almost 24%

    14 Apr 2009

    Key Retirement Solutions’ Equity Release Market Monitor for Q1 of 2009 shows a dramatic decrease in the equity release market when compared to the same period of 2008.

  • Evaluate boosts development and analyst teams

    16 Apr 2009

    Evaluate Technologies has boosted its development and analyst teams with the addition of three experienced senior developers, one additional infrastructure support member and a systems test analyst.

  • Evaluate's consumer sourcing system upgraded after feedback

    13 Apr 2009

    Evaluate Technologies has developed its consumer sourcing system to allow users to set the level of broker involvement they require.

  • Facebook fool

    13 Apr 2009

    With four days off, Mole thought he'd take the opportunity to catch up on some of his favourite Facebook groups.

  • Field visits vital part of PAP says The Charlbury Group

    15 Apr 2009

    Arrears management experts The Charlbury Group, claim that field visits are a vital element of lenders’ adherence to the pre-action protocol introduced by the government last year.

  • First e-mortgage is industry milestone

    13 Apr 2009

    The Land Registry last week marked a significant advance for the mortgage sector by completing the first electronically-signed mortgage.

  • FOS complaints process is useless

    13 Apr 2009

    I recently made a complaint against an insurer via the Financial Ombudsman Service in a private capacity.

  • FSA and Treasury launch Moneymadeclear service

    14 Apr 2009

    The Treasury and the Financial Services Authority has today launched its joint £12m Moneymadeclear service in the North-East and North-West of England.

  • FSA bans and fines mortgage broker for fraud

    16 Apr 2009

    The Financial Services Authority has banned a South London mortgage broker and fined him £100,000 for his knowing involvement in the submission of false mortgage applications.

  • FSA could cap mutuals' commercial lending

    17 Apr 2009

    Lord Turner, chairman of the Financial Services Authority, says a tighter cap on commercial lending for mutuals could result from the bailout of failed society Dunfermline.

  • Get some lead time over the weekend

    13 Apr 2009

    Everybody wants value for money, especially when times are tough, and buying leads is no exception.

  • Guard against buy-to-let novices

    13 Apr 2009

    Brokers looking for light at the end of the tunnel would have been encouraged to see that some experts are now calling the end of the property downturn.

  • Guard against buy-to-let novices

    14 Apr 2009

    Brokers looking for light at the end of the tunnel would have been encouraged to see that some experts are now calling the end of the property downturn.

  • Guardian Corporate Solutions sees successful launch

    14 Apr 2009

    Guardian Corporate Solutions, the financial solutions and insolvency services provider, has reported a successful first month’s trading trebling projected targets.

  • Guardian Group launches online legal service

    16 Apr 2009

    The Guardian Group is launching a free online legal service giving brokers access to a select panel of lawyers on behalf of clients.

  • Harsh reality

    14 Apr 2009

    If you think times are hard here, thank your lucky stars you don't live in Amsterdam.

  • High premiums may hold back MPPI take-up

    13 Apr 2009

    General insurance network CETA is warning that mortgage payment protection insurance may become unaffordable as premiums rise in line with the number of claims.

  • HIP go-slow

    13 Apr 2009

    Did you notice anything unusual last Monday? I thought not, although it was Home Information Pack Hooray Day.

  • Home Buyer Systems upgrades protection system

    15 Apr 2009

    Home Buyer Systems has upgraded its insurance sales system to ensure brokers comply with the Competition’s Commission’s latest recommendations on selling payment protection insurance.

  • It’s counter-intuitive stupid

    14 Apr 2009

    It’s odd really and it’s probably a bit like we stick with the same high street bank ad infinitum, not because it does everything well but just out of force of habit.

  • Jeremy Lyons at Shepherd Direct

    13 Apr 2009

    Jeremy Lyons has joined Shepherd Direct as group business development director.

  • John McFall MP to speak at AMI Annual Dinner

    16 Apr 2009

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries has revealed that the chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, The Rt Hon. John McFall MP, is to speak at its Annual Dinner.

  • Keeping brokers alive and kicking

    13 Apr 2009

    There are many challenges facing brokers at the moment, one of the key ones being that there's likely to be a reduction in gross lending this year. The total will probably be around half the level seen in 2007.

  • Labour adds cost and complexity

    13 Apr 2009

    So now before sellers market their homes they must have HIPs in place including completed PIQs.

  • Labour bigwigs face eviction

    13 Apr 2009

    Last December chancellor Alistair Darling claimed Labour's repossession scheme would provide real help for home owners - yet it's still not up and running.

  • Labour wants to see rise in number of high LTV deals to boost market

    13 Apr 2009

    The government says it is keen to see a rise in the number of 90% LTV products on the market.

  • Land Registry proposes fee hike

    14 Apr 2009

    The Land Registry is proposing a fee hike, in a bid to reduce its current operating loss caused by the reduction in the number of transactions in the property market.

  • Land Registry proposes increase in fees

    14 Apr 2009

    The Land Registry, the government department responsible for registering land in England and Wales, is proposing a fee hike.

  • Landlords who support the market are being snubbed

    13 Apr 2009

    I was shocked to hear that Cheltenham & Gloucester is changing its buy-to-let criteria to what amounts to punitive levels.

  • Law firm warns over company debt liability

    15 Apr 2009

    Business owners operating as a partnership should look to protect themselves from being personally liable for business debts, a law firm has urged.

  • Lenders must look at their portfolios

    13 Apr 2009

    It seems unbelievable that some lenders are claiming they don't know what they hold on their balance sheets.

  • Let's build a strong equity release sector

    13 Apr 2009

    It may be a relatively new industry but equity release could become one of the fastest growing areas of financial services in the coming years.

  • Let's hope Easter brings good news

    14 Apr 2009

    Another fortnight into 2009 and there is a whiff of change in the air. But for every good news item there is still a sad story of a business failing and more “For sale/let” signboards on the High Street.

  • Let's revive housing market by killing off pointless HIPs

    13 Apr 2009

    I am dismayed that not only have Home Information Packs been made mandatory from the first day properties go on sale but that sellers are now required to complete Property Information Questionnaires.

  • Loans etc future in question as it stops accepting new business

    13 Apr 2009

    Graham Brent, managing director of secured loan master broker Loans etc, is believed to be in discussions with his ex-wife over the future of the firm after halting new business.

  • London will lead the way out of market despair

    13 Apr 2009

    It may only be a spring bounce but there seems to be some positive news around at the moment concerning the housing market.

  • LV= extends offer on unemployment policy

    13 Apr 2009

    LV= has extended a protection offer for new customers which allows them to make an unemployment claim within 60 days of taking out a policy.

  • Marketing Innovation Forum to take part in Sesame roadshows

    14 Apr 2009

    Marketing Innovation Forum, the recently launched online marketing service, is to participate in a series of mortgage events hosted by Sesame.

  • Marketwatch 13/04/2009

    13 Apr 2009

    Swaps jumped last week. I assume that, following the G20 summit, the financial markets felt the actions taken would help restore normality and that rates would rise sooner rather than later.

  • Moody’s downgrades societies en masse

    15 Apr 2009

    Ratings agency Moody’s is downgrading several building societies' credit ratings over fears of further losses.

  • Mortgage lending edges up in February

    14 Apr 2009

    The number of mortgages ticked up in February, shows the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

  • Mortgage lending increases slightly

    14 Apr 2009

    The number of mortgages ticked up in February, shows the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

  • Move clients over to repayment deals

    13 Apr 2009

    The past few years have witnessed some fairly significant changes in the proportion of mortgages being repaid by the capital and interest repayment method.

  • Multiple reform plans may cause confusion

    13 Apr 2009

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders is warning that separate debates over the future shape of mortgage regulation in the UK and Europe risk causing confusion.

  • NAEA publishes market rescue plan

    15 Apr 2009

    The National Association of Estate Agents has released a five-point plan to boost the housing market – and calls on Chancellor Alistair Darling to take heed in next week’s Budget.

  • Network Data draws up short-list of interested parties for ARs

    16 Apr 2009

    Network Data has short-listed two “large financial services companies” interested in taking over appointed representatives from Network Data Limited and Mortgage Broking Services.

  • Network payment delays forced me to close my business

    13 Apr 2009

    It's finally happened - I've gone out of business.

  • No change in base rate this month

    13 Apr 2009

    The usual clamour over interest rates was overshadowed last week as all eyes were on the Bank of England for an update on its £75bn quantitative easing programme.

  • Novice landlords face legal perils

    13 Apr 2009

    Would-be sellers turned landlords run the risk of fines and even prison if they let out properties without understanding rental regulations.

  • Overseas deals could pay off for brokers

    13 Apr 2009

    Mortgage Brain has launched an overseas mortgage service in partnership with Conti, which will pay brokers 25% commission for each completed case.

  • Packagers access GEMHL deals

    13 Apr 2009

    Manor Mortgages, All Types of Mortgages and Enterprise Group have secured places on GE Money Home Lending's distribution panel, after the lender revealed it is to cut its lending volumes dramatically.

  • Paradigm offers life insurance leads

    14 Apr 2009

    Paradigm Mortgage Services, the mortgage partnership proposition, has linked with data management company, Triangle Direct, to offer its members access to ‘hot key’ life insurance leads.

  • Perils of B2L restrictions

    13 Apr 2009

    In these turbulent times it is understandable that lenders are cautious about who they lend to, but there are mixed industry views about Cheltenham & Gloucester's criteria changes.

  • Pink adds extra date for protection course

    14 Apr 2009

    Pink Home Loans has added an extra date as part of its course on improving sales skills in the protection sector.

  • Pink encourages brokers to embrace self-build

    17 Apr 2009

    Pink Home Loans is encouraging its network members to learn more about the growing market of self-build and renovation at its training session to be held on Friday 24th April 2009.

  • Pink sees record number of AR requests in March

    13 Apr 2009

    Pink Home Loans received 62 appointed representative applications in March - a monthly record for the network.

  • PIQs are another waste of time

    13 Apr 2009

    The recent introduction of PIQs on top of HIPs is yet another requirement that adds to the cost of putting properties on the market.

  • Property Portfolio Rescue calls for Stamp Duty review

    17 Apr 2009

    Nick Hopkinson, director of Property Portfolio Rescue is calling for a radical review of the Stamp Duty system and improved mortgage accessibility, ahead of next week's Budget:

  • Rays of hope on the housing market horizon

    13 Apr 2009

    Reasons to be cheerful may have been thin on the ground in the past couple of years but I have noticed some positive signals in the housing market recently.

  • Red faces and blue movies are no joke for voters

    13 Apr 2009

    I miss the old Spitting Image TV series and can't help but wonder whether our parliamentarians would be doing things differently now if the satirical puppet show was still around to parody them.

  • Regulator should take reckless brokers to court

    13 Apr 2009

    I was shocked and appalled by the story I read recently on Mortgage Strategy Online about the Financial Services Authority banning a director of an adviser firm for reckless behaviour - encouraging clients to remortgage their properties to raise funds to invest (Mortgage Strategy Online April 6).

  • Rejected mortgages up almost 400% since 2007

    15 Apr 2009

    The number of mortgage applications rejected by lenders has increased almost fourfold over the last two years, figures from moneysupermarket.com reveal.

  • RICS to consult on the transparency of fees

    16 Apr 2009

    RICS is set to launch a consultation looking into the transparency of fees in the property sector.

  • Robyn Hall joins Marketing Innovation Forum

    17 Apr 2009

    Marketing Innovation Forum, a free website providing support to IFAs and mortgage brokers, has appointed Robyn Hall, former editor of Mortgage Strategy magazine.

  • Role model

    13 Apr 2009

    The last time John Cupis was interviewed by Mortgage Strategy was in March 2008. At that time the liquidity crisis was beginning to emerge as a full-on credit crunch. Back then Cupis, who took on the role of head of mortgage and insurance at Sesame in the summer of 2007 just as the market turned sour, said the way things panned out in 2008 would define the market's shape over the next five years. He could not have been more right.

  • SHIP to hold debate over the future for equity release

    14 Apr 2009

    Safe Home Income Plans and international law firm Eversheds are joining forces to host an industry debate on what the future holds for the equity release market.

  • Show your clients the value of cover

    13 Apr 2009

    With the protection gap standing at more than 2 trillion I wish there was a magic wand I could wave to make it disappear.

  • Sir David Lees appointed to Bank governing board

    17 Apr 2009

    Sir David Lees has been appointed to the Chair of the Court, the governing board of the Bank of England.

  • Start courting overseas buyers

    13 Apr 2009

    With the sun making a brief appearance lately, many people's thoughts will be turning to what the Easter break has in store for them.

  • Stop moaning - broking is not a bad line to be in

    13 Apr 2009

    Last week's letters pages were filled with negativity as brokers vented their spleen.

  • Tesco bank branch plan does not threaten brokers

    13 Apr 2009

    So Tesco is to open bank branches in 30 of its stores.

  • The lottery of London's historic postcode system

    13 Apr 2009

    I've never read anything by Terry Pratchett but I do like the idea that two streets in Somerset have just been named after places in his books.

  • Thediaryof Doobry Wotsit

    13 Apr 2009

    I can't say I've taken to online social networking. I joined that thing called Facebook and so far I've been poked, hugged and had a sheep thrown at me - all from people who are meant to be my friends.

  • TMW guide will help brokers use its website

    13 Apr 2009

    The Mortgage Works has launched a guide to help brokers using its website and trading platform for the first time.

  • Tories pledge to get rid of HIPs

    13 Apr 2009

    Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps has pledged that the Conservatives will abolish Home Information Packs if they are elected at the next general election.

  • Treasury and FSA launch Moneymadeclear service

    14 Apr 2009

    The Treasury and the Financial Services Authority has today launched its joint £12m Moneymadeclear service in the North-East and North-West of England.

  • Trigold merger set for shareholder go-ahead

    13 Apr 2009

    The merger between Trigold and Crystal Software Solutions looks likely to be given the green light by shareholders. The deal is on track to be formally agreed by the end of the month.

  • Turn Around (Bright Eyes)

    17 Apr 2009

    Up, down, round and round, there is so much contradictory data out there at the moment that buyers — and indeed sellers — don't know where to turn.

  • Two banned in FSA crackdown

    13 Apr 2009

    The Financial Services Authority's wave of enforcement action against brokers shows no sign of abating, with the regulator banning two more last week.

  • Unloved darling

    14 Apr 2009

    On to brighter things, and Mole was tickled to see the number of anti-Alistair Darling groups on the above-mentioned networking website.

  • V Loans boosts panel with Lancashire Mortgage Corporation

    14 Apr 2009

    Specialist second charge master broker V Loans has added Lancashire Mortgage Corporation to its packaged panel.

  • Vision looking to recruit 20 BDMs

    13 Apr 2009

    Mortgage Times' Vision Network last week revealed that it is to embark on a recruitment drive which will see 20 BDMs added to its sales team.

  • We need PIQs like a hole in the head

    13 Apr 2009

    As from last week, prospective vendors now need a Property Information Questionnaire, in addition to a Home Information Pack, before they can place their home on the market.

  • Weak jobs market fuels student rental demand

    14 Apr 2009

    The weak employment market may be driving rental demand amongst mature students looking to improve their career prospects, Paragon Mortgages claims.

  • West Bromwich denies Coventry merger talks

    14 Apr 2009

    West Bromwich has denied that it is in merger talks with rival mutual Coventry and says the future of the society's national brokerage Mortgageforce is assured.

  • West Bromwich denies Coventry merger talks

    13 Apr 2009

    West Bromwich has denied that it is in merger talks with rival mutual Coventry and says the future of the society's national brokerage Mortgageforce is assured.

  • Woolwich cuts mortgage rates by up to 0.30%

    16 Apr 2009

    Woolwich, the mortgage arm of Barclays, is making cuts of up to 0.30% on its trackers, two-year fixed rates and offset mortgages.

  • Workshops to boost brokers' sales skills

    13 Apr 2009

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries is running a series of workshops in conjunction with LV= to help brokers develop sales skills. The first one will be held in Edinburgh on April 27.

  • Yorkshire Bank achieves Carbon Trust Standard

    15 Apr 2009

    Yorkshire Bank has become the first high street bank to gain the Carbon Trust Standard.

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