Mortgage Strategy
22 August 2005

  • Cashback exclusive

    22 Aug 2005

    Enterprise Group has launched an exclusive 500 client cash back scheme for all applications received for Mortgages PLC's range between August 15 and September 22.

  • Conveyancing service

    22 Aug 2005

    The Business Mortgage Company has launched a conveyancing service for brokers via e-Conveyancer. e-Conveyancer is a network of solicitors who provide conveyanci ng at competitive rates. TBMC has also released a new buy-to-Iet application form.

  • Freedom BDM

    22 Aug 2005

    Freedom Lending has appointed Graham Ricketts as business development manager with responsibility for the central region. Ricketts joins Rob Barnard who has responsibility for liaising with brokers and distributors in the North.

  • FTB parental help scheme

    22 Aug 2005

    Norwich and Peterborough is launching a scheme to help would-be first-time buyers get a start with the help of their parents. The rapid growth in house prices over recent years has prevented many people from buying. The main issue is affordability, as many FTBs don't earn enough to enable them to borrow sufficient funds to buy a home.

  • Offset tracker

    22 Aug 2005

    Yorkshire is launching an offset account that will track base rate for the full term of the mortgage. The deal, available from August 22, offers borrowers a rate set just 0.45% above base.

  • Offset tracker

    22 Aug 2005

    Yorkshire is launching an offset account that will track base rate for the full term of the mortgage. The deal, available from August 22, offers borrowers a rate set just 0.45% above base.

  • Pavillion joins B-A panel

    22 Aug 2005

    Burns-Anderson has ap poi nted packager Pavi II ion Securities to its approved packager and lender panel. The network is looking to ensure its members have advice and access to products in the sub-pri me sector.

  • 1st buys back Misys Group's shareholding

    22 Aug 2005

    1st, the supplier of technology solutions to financial intermediaries, has bought back Misys Group's shareholding for an undisclosed sum.

  • 86% say sourcing systems should carry KFI can

    22 Aug 2005

    A massive 86% of those who took part in last week's straw poll believe sourcing systems should take responsibility for the Key Facts Illustrations they produce.

  • A&L launches competitive fixed rate deals

    24 Aug 2005

    Alliance & Leicester has launched a new range of mortgages, which are available immediately.

  • A&L launches range of fixed rate mortgages

    25 Aug 2005

    Alliance & Leicester has launched a new range of mortgages.

  • Advantage appointment

    22 Aug 2005

    Jan Broadhurst has joined Advantage Secured Loans as sales support manager. Her role will be to enhance the skills of the secured loans team.

  • Advantage appoints Huet as marketing director

    23 Aug 2005

    Advantage Home Loans has appointed Kate Huet to the position of marketing director.

  • Advantage releases index results

    25 Aug 2005

    Average loan values for non-conforming mortgage business have continued to rise every month this year, the aggregate figures for all of Advantage Home Loans the Branded Mortgage Arranger, Non-Conforming lenders in July is reported to have grown by nearly 2% in the month alone to 110,302.

  • AToM links up with Whitechurch

    22 Aug 2005

    All Types of Mortgages has been appointed as an approved packager to The Whitechurch network. AToM, which recently announced a joint business relationship with Mortgage Intelligence, will now have the opportunity to deliver its proposition to Whitechurch and its clients.Whitechurch members will get access to AToM's exclusive and semi-exclusive products, such as the MT Select range.

  • B&B could soon slash its panel to just eight lenders

    22 Aug 2005

    Bradford & Bingley could slash its panel from 25 lenders to just eight, Mortgage Strategy has learned.This latest cull comes at a time when lenders are starting to feel the pinch with figures across the industry down on this time last year.

  • B&B plans to reduce its SVR

    22 Aug 2005

    Following the cut in the base rate earlier this month, Bradford & Bingley is to reduce its standard variable rate by 0.25% from 6.84% to 6.59% with effect from September 4.

  • B2L boosts B&W's total market share

    22 Aug 2005

    Bristol & West Mortgages says its niche offering in the buy-to-let market has led to a substantial increase in its market share over the past nine months.

  • B2L lending rose to 9.9bn in first half of this year

    22 Aug 2005

    The first half of 2005 saw lenders advance 9.9bn in buy-to-let mortgages, marginally higher than in the second half of 2004, says the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

  • B2L success is no flash in the pan

    22 Aug 2005

    Despite the gloomy predictions, the buy-to-let market has remained remarkably robust. For the 'glass is half empty' brigade, this must come as a surprise.

  • Bananas Inc launches Fast Track Remortgage

    22 Aug 2005

    Fast Track Remortgage has been launched by Bananas Inc, the service-focused national packager, to allow borrowers with adverse credit history quick access to a self-certification remortgage option.The product allows an unlimited amount of adverse credit, including CCJs and missed mortgage payments, and requires no references.The interest rate charged is Libor plus 4.75%, which is discounted by 2% until August 31, 2006, giving an initial rate of Libor plus 2.75%.

  • Bananas launch Fast Track remortgage for adverse borrowers

    22 Aug 2005

    Fast Track Remortgage has been launched by Bananas Inc, the service-focused national packager, to allow borrowers with adverse credit history quick access to a self-certification remortgage option.The product allows an unlimited amount of adverse credit, including CCJs and missed mortgage payments, and requires no references.The interest rate charged is Libor plus 4.75%, which is discounted by 2% until August 31, 2006, giving an initial rate of Libor plus 2.75%. The remortgage ...

  • BBA statistics reveal subdued mortgage environment

    25 Aug 2005

    Following last weeks release of MBBG net lending figures for July, further information is now available on lending to individuals.

  • BBB prepares HIP service

    23 Aug 2005

    Berkeley Berry Birch is preparing its own home information pack service Berkeley HIP, in preparation for the imminent launch of the government initiative in 2007.The Berkeley HIP proposition, in conjunction with The Live Organisation, the Camberley-based provider of residential conveyancing, will be offering a fully-funded and market-leading HIP to all estate agents who are linked to advisers of the Group.

  • Beacon joins em panel

    25 Aug 2005

    em-homeloans has extended its offer of free valuations on all non-conforming ranges, by including new market entrant Beacon Homeloans on its lending panel.

  • Best buy 10-year fixed rate from Leeds & Holbeck

    24 Aug 2005

    With the Bank of England announcing last week that core inflation was at its highest for a decade, the widely held view from many market commentators that there would be another base rate cut by the end of the year seems to be receding. This, combined with many mortgage providers pulling their existing fixed rates and replacing them with higher priced deals, means that customers who need the certainty of monthly payments need to look now to get the right deal.

  • Bidding to start for tenancy deposit schemes

    24 Aug 2005

    Compulsory tenancy deposit control day was seen to take steps forward and backwards at the start of the bidding process for government approved schemes to secure tenant's deposit money and resolve deposit disputes.

  • Billions will use SIPPs next year

    22 Aug 2005

    Billions of pounds are standing ready to be invested in the property market as soon as pension changes come into force in April next year, say experts at the Property Investor Show.

  • Blemain Group rumoured to be for sale

    23 Aug 2005

    The Blemain Group is rumoured to be up for sale for a reported 150m.

  • BM blazes trail for speedy application to offer processes

    24 Aug 2005

    BM Solutions today revealed that its online service processes its cases from application to offer in under half the average time for the industry, according to an independent broker survey.

  • BoS apologises to humiliated staff

    22 Aug 2005

    Bank of Scotland has come under fire for using bizarre motivational techniques in an attempt to improve staff performance.

  • Britannia launches 10-year fixed rate mortgage

    24 Aug 2005

    Britannia Building Society is bucking the trend of other lenders and launching a new low cost ten year fixed rate mortgage.

  • Brits are falling out of love with their neighbours

    22 Aug 2005

    Millions of people in the UK no longer know their neighbours, research published by Neighbourhood Watch and Post Office Home Insurance reveals.

  • Broker feedback will prompt action

    22 Aug 2005

    Openwork's plan for a quarterly survey of lender performance based on broker feedback will result in lenders promoting their strengths and addressing problem areas, says Paul Shearman

  • Brokers report sub-prime upturn

    22 Aug 2005

    A survey has revealed that most brokers are experiencing an upturn in activity in the sub-prime market.

  • Brouard speeds to State Securities appointment

    22 Aug 2005

    Monday, 22 August 2005: State Securities today announced the appointment of Karen Brouard as Account Manager in the Commercial Mortgage team based at the companys Southampton Head Office to support the companys aggressive growth and development strategy.

  • Buyers turn to the internet for research

    22 Aug 2005

    Research from SmartNewHomes.com reveals that almost two-thirds of consumers now use the internet to research a house purchase.

  • Caffrey to purchase 20% stake in c2

    22 Aug 2005

    C2-Financial has revealed that the company's operations and sales director Justin Caffrey has agreed terms to purchase a 20% stake in the company for an undisclosed sum.

  • Charity cheque

    22 Aug 2005

    Kensington Mortgages last week presented a cheque for 52,000 to Macmillan Cancer Relief at the Kensington offices in Sheldon Square. Alison Hutchinson, managing director of Kensington, presented the cheque to Emily Ward, corporate fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

  • CHL gets into sub-prime

    22 Aug 2005

    Capital Home Loans, the specialist lender which includes the Irish Permanent brand, has launched into the sub-prime sector through a distribution agreement with Mortgages PLC.

  • Concern mounting over US housing collapse

    22 Aug 2005

    Concern is mounting in the US that the housing bubble could be on the verge of bursting.

  • Consumers still bank on bricks

    22 Aug 2005

    Prudential's latest Mood of the Nation index reveals consumers' confidence in property is still on the up despite warnings of a house price slowdown.

  • Contribute to research into specialist sector

    22 Aug 2005

    Specialist lending is a big growth area so keeping up-to-date with all the developments in the sector can be a daunting task.Mortgage Strategy has teamed up with BM Solutions to provide you with the answers to all the questions surrounding this ever-changing sector.Go to Specalist Lending survey.

  • Councils could get power to seize empty homes

    22 Aug 2005

    Government proposals have been unveiled which will give councils the power to seize deserted homes.

  • Cowan, Posner and Dixon join Paymentshield board

    24 Aug 2005

    John Cowan, formerly managing director of Pivotal, National Australia Bank group’s intermediary consultancy business, has joined the Paymentshield board as a non-executive.

  • Curriculum Vitae: Rachel Bancroft

    22 Aug 2005

    "Being editor of Mortgage Strategy for a week was certainly something different"

  • Dear Delia

    22 Aug 2005

    My client purchased her first property five years ago through a shared ownership scheme. The original price was 100,000 and it is now worth 150,000. She borrowed the full 50% share of the property, initially owing 50,000 and her mortgage balance now stands at 47,684. She wants to raise some money to build a conservatory and clear some debts. What options does she have?

  • Direct Line launches deals

    22 Aug 2005

    Direct Line has launched a suite of fixed rate mortgage deals.The same rate of 4.69% applies to both the two and three-year fixed rate deals while the five-year fixed rate is 4.79%. Anthony Rafferty, commercial director for Direct Line Mortgages, says: "We had an excellent response to our previous fixed rate offers. Funds were snapped up in weeks, and these rates are even cheaper."

  • DTI cuts red tape for small mortgage brokers

    24 Aug 2005

    Audit exemptions for small and medium sized companies are now to be extended to some regulated firms, such as smaller mortgage and general insurance brokers the DTI announced last week.

  • Elephant expands

    22 Aug 2005

    Following the success achieved by its branch office in Oldham, which launched at the end of last year, Elephant Loans is expanding its North-West operation. Gary Miller-Cheevers, managing director of Elephant, says: "The volume of business we've been handling through our Oldham office has exceeded expectations so that after just seven monthswe've had to move into larger premises and take on new staff."

  • Equifax names Richard F. Smith CEO and chairman-elect

    24 Aug 2005

    Equifax has named Richard F. Rick Smith as chief executive officer and chairman-elect, succeeding Thomas F. Chapman, who is retiring from the company at the end of 2005.

  • Ethical creditors don't expect money back

    22 Aug 2005

    Creditors owed money by Ethical Mortgage Solutions say they doubt they'll see a penny from the firm now it has gone into voluntary liquidation.

  • Everyone wants a piece of the B2L action

    22 Aug 2005

    It's a fact. Things are moving ahead in the buy-to-let marketplace and several lenders are wanting to get in on the action. First Active recently launched a couple of products specifically for the sector and now Alliance & Leicester is staking a claim to the territory.

  • Experian forecasts economic hotspots in the south

    24 Aug 2005

    London and parts of the south east of the UK will enjoy among the strongest rates of economic expansion in Western Europe over the next decade according to latest EU regional forecasts by Experian, the global economic forecasting group.

  • Fixed fee conveyancing

    22 Aug 2005

    Halifax is launching a fixed fee conveyancing service, believed to be the first of its kind from a major lender. The average conveyancing cost per housing transaction in England and Wales is estimated to be 560. The total value of the market is approximately 780m per year.

  • Focus on housing supply, says Savills

    22 Aug 2005

    Boom to bust is not this summer's story but the housing market is under strain and development policy must be targeted if supply is to meet demand, says Savills Private Finance.

  • Focus on training, it's good for you

    22 Aug 2005

    If firms let training and competence drop down their list of priorities they will be storing up trouble and missing an opportunity to boost their professionalism, says Richard Griffiths

  • FSA advises on seeking advice

    22 Aug 2005

    The Financial Services Authority (FSA), the independent financial watchdog, has published an updated guide to help consumers understand what financial advice is and how to get it.

  • FSA must be seen to act in cases such as the One2One Mortgages liquidation

    22 Aug 2005

    From Richard Griffiths

  • FTB parental help scheme

    22 Aug 2005

    Norwich and Peterborough is launching a scheme to help would-be first-time buyers get a start with the help of their parents. The rapid growth in house prices over recent years has prevented many people from buying. The main issue is affordability, as many FTBs don't earn enough to enable them to borrow sufficient funds to buy a home.

  • Full marks to Yorkshire for a Fresh Start

    22 Aug 2005

    I've a growing regard for the Yorkshire. This strong regional society makes a powerful case for why we still need mutual lenders. Although not alone in fulfilling this role, it has a knack for combining sensible innovation with good PR. And when it comes to differentiation - one of the few corporate buzz words which makes sense - the Yorkshire is making a good fist of it.

  • Garbutt joins Universal

    24 Aug 2005

    Craig Garbutt has been appointed as commercial lending manager within Universals commercial lending department, which continues to grow ambitiously since its launch in 2004.

  • GECF agrees partnership deal with Dogus

    25 Aug 2005

    Dogus Holding AS and GE Consumer Finance, have reached an agreement regarding the acquisition by GECF of a 25.5% share in Garanti Bank, Turkey's third largest private bank. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. Under the terms of the agreement, GECF will acquire from the Dogus Group 25.5% of Garanti Bank's ordinary shares for a cash consideration of $1.556 bn.

  • German demand drives TEP market

    22 Aug 2005

    Members of the Association of Policy Market Makers are seeingincreased demand for their traded endowment policies, particularly from Germany.

  • Good time to consider equity release

    22 Aug 2005

    The advice process for equity release is getting no easier. In fact, with more than 40 schemes available research is becoming increasingly difficult. Add the fact that comparative analysis between products is at its most tricky and you'd be forgiven for thinking it's not worth the effort. This may be why we have seen a slowdown in the growth of the market this year.

  • Government earmarks 200m to revitalise communities

    24 Aug 2005

    Revitalising town centres; redeveloping a goods-yard to provide new homes; funding improvements to a leisure centre; providing theatre studio space and learning opportunities for young people, and enhancing an area of local woodland - these are just some of the projects that have been provisionally earmarked to win a share of up to 200m to develop new housing across the three newer growth areas, and to ensure that the right infrastructure and community facilities are in place to support ...

  • Government moves to protect valued habitats

    22 Aug 2005

    The government has revamped the planning system to better protect ancient woodland and other valued habitats.

  • Guidance on buying Down Under

    22 Aug 2005

    Buying property in Australia can be a shrewd move for UK residents seeking an investment opportunity or future home. AustrilianPropertyInvestor.com has been launched to help UK residents invest in property Down Under.It provides a wealth of articles, reports, data and services aimed at investors who need to know when the time is right to invest.

  • HBOS dismisses Crosby quitting rumours

    22 Aug 2005

    HBOS has dismissed rumours in the weekend press that chief executive James Crosby is set to be replaced by chief operating officer Andy Hornby.

  • HBOS saves time with Visualfiles

    22 Aug 2005

    HBOS has implemented Visualfiles in its remortgage department to cut the time taken processing legal work in remortgaging. Tony Hibbert, head of remortgage service development at HBOS, says: "Visualfiles enables us to automatically transfer cases from our mortgage system. The ability to build rules around this allocation means straightforward cases are distributed to inhouse users for processing where Visualfiles guides them through the case, automating procedures where appropriate. ...

  • Hinckley and Rugby launches two-year fix at 4.19%

    23 Aug 2005

    The Hinckley and Rugby has launched a new two-year fixed rate mortgage.

  • Hodgson quits John Charcol for South Africa

    22 Aug 2005

    Candice Hodgson has quit her job as marketing director of John Charcol to return to her native South Africa.

  • India calling

    22 Aug 2005

    The financial services industry is increasingly using Indian call centres, with firms claiming they cut costs and boost service. But fear of customer opposition is keeping some firms' operations closer to home, says Natalie Martin

  • Internet insite

    22 Aug 2005

    Mortgage Strategy's weekly guide to what's hot and what's not on the web. Kevin Paterson takes a look at lender websites, working his way from A to Z

  • Is the government doing enough to help first-time buyers and key workers get on the housing ladder?

    22 Aug 2005

    The government is coming up with plenty of vote-winning ideas but the real solution must come from within the financial industry, say our experts

  • Lenders pass rate cut to borrowers

    22 Aug 2005

    Reviewing the mortgage market since the base rate reduction, Moneyfacts.co.uk reveals there have been 65 changes from lenders. And 51 of them have passed on the full quarter point cut to customers. Darren Cook, head of mortgages at Moneyfacts.co.uk, says: "Some of the lenders that have not passed on the full cut, are already offering competitive SVRs."

  • Lenders refocus on FTBs

    23 Aug 2005

    Research by the Moneyfacts.co.uk mortgage team has revealed that more lenders are starting to focus their attention on first-time buyers.

  • Make sensible use of the silly season

    22 Aug 2005

    This time of year is often referred to as the silly season. In reality, it can be a frustrating time. You try to contact someone only to learn they are on holiday and won't be back for two to three weeks. So if things are a little quiet for you during the silly season here are a few suggestions how to make good use of your time.

  • Market Watch

    22 Aug 2005

    Swaps falling slightly took some of the pressure off lenders' fixed rates, although a few have repriced upward.

  • Money Partners enhances range

    22 Aug 2005

    Money Partnershas made a significant number of enhancements and product additions to its Origin range of first charge mortgages. A new near-prime option, branded Premier, has also been added to the Origin range.Customers can opt for a one-year discount of 1.55% that offers a starting rate of 4.30% per year and a minimum advance is 50,000.

  • Mortgages Direct hails return of first-timers

    22 Aug 2005

    Mortgages Direct says it has seen a significant increase in the number of first-time buyers over the past three months and is advising that now is the time to buy.

  • MPC minutes show cut was close call

    22 Aug 2005

    The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has published the minutes of August's rate cut meeting.

  • N&P's parental assistance scheme welcomed

    22 Aug 2005

    John Charcol has welcomed Norwich and Peterborough's parental Lend A Hand scheme launched today.The scheme allows first-time buyers to choose from the full range of N&P's fixed, discount and tracker mortgage products.While the first-time buyer and the parent are joint applicants on the mortgage, the parent does not have to be named on the legal title of the property and thus avoids Capital Gains Tax.Elliot Nathan, mortgage development manager at John Charcol, says: "It's ...

  • Nationwide, PressWatch's winner

    22 Aug 2005

    Nationwide building society swept all competitors aside this month with the highest score ever recorded for PressWatch Medias Financial Products.

  • Newcastle reveals partnership with Openwork

    23 Aug 2005

    Newcastle Mortgage Services Limited has unveiled a processing agreement with the Openwork network.

  • Nurse's story highlights benefits of CII

    22 Aug 2005

    There was a story in the press recently that clearly highlighted the difference a critical illness policy could make to someone's life.

  • OFM becomes AR

    22 Aug 2005

    Personal Touch Financial Services says OFM Group has joined its network as an appointed representative, it having relinquished its directly authorised status. OFM Group completed 500m of mortgage business last year and is one of PTFS' largest members.

  • Online MCOB training

    22 Aug 2005

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders, in partnership with e-learning operation Absolutely Training, has launched two modules for its online Mortgage Code of Business training. The modules have been developed in response to feedback from lenders and intermediaries.

  • Openwork to assess ARs' compliance with TCF

    22 Aug 2005

    Openwork is to assess its appointed representatives to make sure they comply with Financial Services Authority rules on Treating Customers Fairly.

  • Outsourcers say they see cost and quality benefits

    22 Aug 2005

    Lenders who outsource operations to India have defended the decision, saying it saves costs and offers an efficient, quality service.

  • Pavillion appointed to Personal Touchs lending panel

    24 Aug 2005

    Personal Touch has appointed packager Pavillion Securities, a RAMP member, to its approved packager and lender panel. Tony Hughes, director of Pavillion Securities, says: Our appointment to the panel of a network such as Personal Touch again illustrates the value our services offer to networks and their members.

  • Perfect choice

    22 Aug 2005

    The ideal lender website should be like a supermarket - an easy to use one-stop shop that provides added value and an element of fun, says Mark Bergin

  • Persimmon reports record profits

    24 Aug 2005

    Persimmon, the UKs leading house builder, reported record first half profits yesterday, despite fears of a slow down in the housing market.

  • Personal touch reveals record six months' trading

    23 Aug 2005

    Personal Touch Financial Services, the financial services network, has revealed a further increase in turnover and profit in the first six months trading of 2005.

  • Pink promotes near prime Right to Buy range

    23 Aug 2005

    Pink Home loans is currently promoting two exclusive near-prime Right to Buy products as part of its branded product range from Platform.A rate of 6.10% fixed for 3 years is available for full status applications and 6.40% fixed for three-years for self-cert applications. A free standard valuation fee for properties up to the value of 400,000 is included together with 0.25% cashback on completion.

  • Pink shotlists lender personalities and voting begins

    24 Aug 2005

    Pink announces shortlist for lender personality category at service awards

  • Please, please make this the Star Letter of the week

    22 Aug 2005

    From Gary Williams

  • PMS aims for 200bn applications

    22 Aug 2005

    Premier Mortgage Service says that since January 1997 it has distributed a whopping 107bn of mortgage business and received over 134bn in mortgage applications.

  • Portman awards loyalty with competitive rates

    24 Aug 2005

    Following the reduction in the Bank of England Base Rate, Portman has made changes to its SVR and savings rates.

  • Protection-insurance website revised

    23 Aug 2005

    Specialist insurance website www.protection-insurance.com has relaunched, with a more user-friendly look and feel, easier navigation and new, exciting products.

  • Prudential lifetime mortgage supports retirement

    24 Aug 2005

    Retirement should be a time for people to relax and enjoy themselves but new research from lifetime mortgage provider, Prudential, shows that the reality of retirement can be very different.Over a third of all UK pensioners thats 3.75 million say they cant afford to do what they thought theyd be able to in retirement

  • Regulation is a matter of principle

    22 Aug 2005

    The regulator is interested not only in your trading activities but also in whether you live up to its 11 principles that cover corporate governance standards, says Bill Warren

  • Rising demand for flexible sub-prime, says TFC

    22 Aug 2005

    TFC Homeloans, the branded lending division of mortgage distributor The Finance Centre, believes that the ability for borrowers to make overpayments will become an increasingly important feature of non-conforming mortgages in the future.

  • S&S launches revised sub-prime mortgage

    23 Aug 2005

    Stroud & Swindon Mortgage Company has launched a completely new range of its Evolve sub-prime mortgages with improved criteria that will appeal to a wider segment of the market.

  • Select & Protect launch age-banded MPPI

    25 Aug 2005

    Select & Protect, one of the UKs leading general insurance providers, today announced the launch of Intego, an innovative, new MPPI product offering.

  • Skipton cuts SVR

    22 Aug 2005

    Skipton is cutting its SVR to 5.89% following the base rate cut. The decrease of 0.20% will take effect from September 1 and will affect approximately 35% of borrowers.Also, from August 22 rates on investment accounts will decrease, none by more than 0.25% and some by as little as 0.15%.

  • Skipton launches capped rate mortgage

    24 Aug 2005

    Skipton has launched an improved three-year capped rate mortgage with a reduced cap, increased discounts and a new attractive initial rate.

  • Skipton launches fixed rate mortgage

    22 Aug 2005

    Skipton Building Society has today launched a three-year and five-year fixed rate mortgages, with rates starting from 4.59%.

  • Skipton satisfies surfers

    24 Aug 2005

    Skipton Building Society has launched a service to give both direct borrowers and brokers an easy way to check the progress of their mortgage application online.

  • Smitheringale an asset to Amber

    25 Aug 2005

    Amber Homeloans Limited has appointed Mark Smitheringale to the newly established role of associate director asset trading, with responsibility for the acquisition and sale of all mortgage asset portfolios.

  • Standard Life Bank's profits grow

    24 Aug 2005

    Standard Life Bank has enjoyed a profitable start to 2005.

  • Strong online Platform for business

    22 Aug 2005

    Platform's online decision tool Clickdecision is market-leading because of its ease-of-use, the binding decisions it provides and its product cascade facility, says Frank Eve

  • SWHE Building Society opens contact centre

    24 Aug 2005

    A customer contact centre has been opened by the Saffron Walden Herts and Essex Building Society to deal with customer enquiries as it expands its selection of products.

  • Taylor's Tour....

    22 Aug 2005

    Henry Taylor's day job is running a mortgage broking business in Eastbourne on the south coast of England, when not taking part in the Seat Cupra Championship

  • Tempted by the call of the East

    22 Aug 2005

    The financial services industry was rocked by the scandalous news earlier this year that UK mortgage details were being sold on the black market by an Indian call centre employee, raising questions about the security of outsourcing.This was the latest blow to lenders that outsource to overseas countries, who have being criticised for causing job losses in Britain by employing cheap foreign labour. Predictions by Amicus - Britain's largest private sector trade union - that 200,000 ...

  • TFC and VMF join forces

    25 Aug 2005

    TFC Homeloans has joined forces with niche lending newcomer Victoria Mortgage Funding to become one of just eighteen approved distributors of their attractive criteria led products range.

  • TFC launch secured loan products and website

    25 Aug 2005

    The Finance Centre is about to launch a nationwide marketing campaign to promote their competitive rate secured loan products to mortgage advisors and IFA’s.

  • The Mortgage Mole

    22 Aug 2005

    ONE LOVE

  • Toller quits B&W after 13 years

    22 Aug 2005

    After 13 years with Bristol & West Mortgages, head of marketing Dominic Toller has decided to leave and join legal services provider LMS as director of marketing and new business.

  • Tower still standing

    22 Aug 2005

    The clock tower of Abbey National's former headquarters on London's Baker Street has been saved from demolition. Westminster Council granted developers permission to destroy the building, constructed in 1932, provided the clock tower was preserved. The tower is now precariously balanced on a steel framework, everything around it having been demolished.

  • Vesta adds Beacon to panel

    22 Aug 2005

    National packager and branded lender Vesta Packaging has added Beacon Homeloans to its panel of lenders.

  • Vote for the lender personality of 2005

    22 Aug 2005

    Pink Home Loans is offering intermediaries the chance to vote for their favourite lender personality in its 2005 Service Awards.

  • Web links

    22 Aug 2005

    Friends Provident and Trigold have launched an online service linking sourcing and submitting a mortgage application with obtaining suitable cover. Friends Provident will offer protection products including term assurance and critical illness using the online protection service, eSelect, which will be linked to Trigold's Prospector AAA system.

  • West Brom witnesses B2L boom

    23 Aug 2005

    While recent reports suggest that the buy-to-let mortgage market is facing a downward turn, the West Bromwich says it is witnessing a boom in business and is on track to break all previous buy-to-let lending records.In the past year the West Brom has witnessed a 46% increase in business and has, for the past five months alone, witnessed a month-on-month increase in buy-to-let residential demand, particularly from the London and South-East area.The Society puts this down ...

  • Whitehead leaves Bankhall

    25 Aug 2005

    John Whitehead has left the Bankhall Group to become chief executive at Key Software.

  • Worry over divisive websites

    22 Aug 2005

    A report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation warns that internet-based neighbourhood information systems could widen the social divide.

  • Would you recommend rate cut rebels?

    22 Aug 2005

    Lenders slashed rates this month after the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee cut the base rate cut by 0.25%.

  • Zebra moves to larger premises

    22 Aug 2005

    Zebra Homeloans, a packager with offices in Luton, Bedford and Warrington, has moved to larger premises in Luton.Paul Fletcher, one of the directors at Zebra, says: "Despite all the predictions of the demise of packagers, we are seeing increased demand for our products and services.Our new offices represent over double our existing space and we now have the scope to offer additional services."

  • Zebra moves to new premises in Luton

    23 Aug 2005

    Zebra Homeloans, a regional packager with offices in Luton, Bedford and Warrington has moved to larger premises in Luton. Don Wilson, one of the directors of Zebra Homeloans, says: Despite all the predictions of the demise of the packager, we continue to see increased demand for our products and services. "Our new offices represent over twice our existing space and we now have the scope to offer additional services to our intermediaries.

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