Mortgage Strategy
25 April 2005

  • A charge too far

    25 Apr 2005

    Higher lending charges seem murky to many and though some lenders levy them, there are plenty of things brokers can do to make sure their clients don't get stung, says Harvey Jones

  • A dose of Kabalarian philosophy

    25 Apr 2005

    The philosophy of the Society of Kabalarians 'embodies the knowledge of balanced harmonious thinking and spiritual ideals' - so they're not mortgage lenders then, says Richard Griffiths

  • A pleasing view from Canary Wharf

    25 Apr 2005

    Despite FSA regulation having been a six-month struggle for firms, AMI's experience is that the regulator is forming a positive picture of the mortgage industry, says Ben Stafford

  • A View from the floor

    25 Apr 2005

    Rob Hill, corporate communications manager at the Derbyshire, says it is likely that most home owners are under-insured in both building and contents cover

  • Abbey defends outsourcing

    25 Apr 2005

    Abbey came under fire for outsourcing its complaints to Huntswood after it was claimed it was being investigated by the Financial Services Authority for the way it had handled complaints. Huntswood, which also handles complaints for Halifax, has dealt with most of Abbey's complaints since February 2003.However, Christina Mills, spokeswoman for Abbey, says the firm is satisfied with the work Huntswood has done and that Abbey's relationship with it continues.She says: "Huntswood ...

  • ABI launches online consultation

    26 Apr 2005

    The Association of British Insurers has today launched a new section of its web site dedicated to the debate over paying for financial advice and the role of commission.

  • ADMA to wind up

    29 Apr 2005

    The association was set up as a non profit making company by a group of six packagers to help mortgage intermediaries understand the difficult process of applying to the FSA directly for mortgage authorisation.

  • Advantage Secured Loans adds Nemo to its lender panel

    26 Apr 2005

    Non-conforming specialist Advantage Secured Loans is pleased to announce the appointment of new prime lender Nemo to its secured loan lending panel.

  • Amber's direct business up

    25 Apr 2005

    Mike Perry, head of sales and marketing at Amber, says: "A lot more brokers are coming directly to us because of technology that was not around three or four years ago. More brokers are also starting to understand the adverse market."The lender has recently increased its sales team from two to 10 and says this has helped the business. Perry says despite going direct, Amber continues to have a good relationship with packagers, and those who get it right will do well. However, smaller ...

  • AMI launches Mortgage Census

    25 Apr 2005

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries has launched a Mortgage Intermediary Census.

  • Apple bosses clash over pay

    25 Apr 2005

    A war of words has broken out between two directors at Apple Home Loans over unpaid monies.AHL has since rebranded to Zest Home Loans, but an internal dispute has broken out between two of the packager's three directors, Keith Curtis and David Morris.Curtis and Morris were shareholders in each other's companies. Morris ran Apple Overseas in Spain and Curtis was managing director of AHL in the UK. AHL saw a dip in profits in October 2004, and the decision was taken between the ...

  • AXA IM sets out details for European commercial property fund

    27 Apr 2005

    AXA Investment Managers today announces details of the first UK-listed European and UK real estate fund, the AXA Property Trust.

  • B&W postpones lifetime launch

    25 Apr 2005

    Bristol & West has postponed its launch into the lifetime mortgage market until next month so it can reprice its product.It says it has postponed the launch because of moves in money market rates which mean it can reprice the product to a slightly lower rate.Dominic Toller, head of marketing at B&W, says: "There are only two or three major competitors and we want to become a big player quickly. Because of low interest rates and the drop in swap rates we feel we can offer a better ...

  • B-A opens up DA support service to whole market

    25 Apr 2005

    Previously, the service was only available to intermediaries wanting to leave its network to go direct but it is now available to all advisers.Chief executive Mike Hughes says: "Many people are leaving the newer mortgage networks and wanting to go direct. They need assistance so we launched Burns-Anderson Direct in response to demand, having offered Responsive to our members for the past five years."Firms pay a basic fee of 295+VAT per month and 50 per advisers to use B-AD and ...

  • Barker speaks out on supply

    25 Apr 2005

    Speaking last week at the House Builders Federation Conference a year after her Review of Housing Supply was published by the government, Barker acknowledged criticisms of the review but warned that what is perceived to be unhelpful or short-sighted behaviour by developers is often the result of the economic and policy framework in which the industry operates.Barker told delegates: "House prices and housing turnovers are experiencing strong cycles. A sustained period of rapidly ...

  • Britannia launches two-year discount tracker

    27 Apr 2005

    Britannia has launched a fee free two-year discount tracker remortgage package.

  • Brokers have nothing to fear over menu requirements

    27 Apr 2005

    Ashley Clark, director at Need An Adviser. com has suggested that IFAs who fully embrace a fee based model of advice have nothing to fear when the requirement to issue a menu, fees and commission statement, starts in June.

  • C&G withdraws online KFI production facility

    25 Apr 2005

    Cheltenham & Gloucester has withdrawn Key Facts Illustration production from its website due to lack of demand.The subsidiary of Lloyds TSB withdrew the facility at the end of March due to lack of support from brokers, who preferred to get KFIs from branches or sourcing systems.Product information can still be downloaded direct from the C&G website and it will now provide verified KFIs to the Financial Services Authority's tolerance levels through both Mortgage Brain and Trigold.Susan ...

  • Charcol to rebrand as John Charcol in May

    25 Apr 2005

    Charcol is to return to the John Charcol brand in mid-May following the return of executive chairman John Garfield in December last year.This sees the broker going back to the brand it was launched under by Garfield, Charles Wishart, who is on the board, and Colin Studd in 1974.John Charcol will be in the public domain across its 10-strong branch network, stretching from Brighton in the south to Manchester in the north, and on marketing material, backed by a consumer campaign. ...

  • CML calls for more help for buyers

    25 Apr 2005

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has welcomed moves by the government to assist first-time buyers, but insists there is more to do.Speaking at the annual CML launch, chairman Stuart Bernau told delegates: "Raising the lowest Stamp Duty threshold to 120,000 was a helpful step for first-timers but the focus on one threshold avoids the real issue - the slab structure of the tax must change to a graduated one to be fairer to all."The CML chairman said the jury was still out on whether ...

  • Common code of practice will be major boost to buyer confidence

    27 Apr 2005

    The National Association of Estate Agents international division and the Federation of Overseas Property Developers Agents and Consultants have agreed a common code of practice and charter.

  • Complacency is the real enemy

    25 Apr 2005

    The phrase Humpty Dumpty Syndrome is the true stuff of nightmares for all business owners, whether these are large or small businesses, start-ups or well established.

  • Concern over lenders' linked debt clause

    25 Apr 2005

    There is growing concern a clause linking secured and unsecured debt could fall out of the regulatory loop.Mortgage Strategy has been informed a number of lenders have an 'all monies' clause in their standard terms and conditions, which essentially links unsecured debt to secured mortgage debt. So if borrowers default on a credit card or loan with their mortgage firm, they could be repossessed.Both the Financial Services Authority, which regulates mortgages, and the Office ...

  • Consumers need truth about financial products, says Moneyfacts

    26 Apr 2005

    Moneyfacts says it is vital that consumers are given accurate and impartial information on financial products.

  • Coulson to set up Home of Choice network

    28 Apr 2005

    Richard Coulson has confirmed he is to launch his own network in June, called Home of Choice, with two former Zurich workers.

  • Dear Delia

    25 Apr 2005

    Dear Delia Penny wishes to purchase her first property. She is receiving benefits as her income is low.

  • Derbyshire congratulates Ellen MacArthur on damehood

    29 Apr 2005

    Mark Blackwell, director of marketing at The Derbyshire has congratulated Ellen MacArthur on receiving her Damehood from HM the Queen.

  • Dial4aloan chooses PlusOne for GI push

    29 Apr 2005

    Loan broker Dial4aloan has this week selected PlusOne as its principal provider of general insurance products.

  • Financial Health Matters

    25 Apr 2005

    Many publications have a financial agony aunt column whereby readers write in with their complaints and queries and the journalist replies in print, often having identified the route to success that has eluded the reader.

  • Firstplus offers brokers new revenue stream

    25 Apr 2005

    FirstPlus is targeting intermediaries with an advertising campaign offering a new and complementary revenue stream to the industry.

  • Flexible lifetime mortgages could save thousands, says Saga

    25 Apr 2005

    Saga has today revealed that consumers could be saving tens of thousands of pounds on their lifetime mortgages by choosing a plan that allows flexible drawdowns.

  • FSA appoints city lawyer as new director of Enforcement

    27 Apr 2005

    The Financial Services Authority has appointed Margaret Cole ,partner in the London office of the international law firm White & Case, as its new director of enforcement.

  • FSA assessment process revealed

    25 Apr 2005

    The Financial Services Authority last week gave an insight into how it assesses retail market and product risks, and highlighted some of the issues currently under its spotlight.A regularly updated section on the regulator's website, entitled Identifying and Responding to Emerging Retail Risks, explains how the FSA recognises potential issues and what it is currently working on.Payment protection insurance and mortgage disclosure documents are two areas being looked into.Concerns ...

  • FSA director to speak at Complitech 2005

    26 Apr 2005

    David Kenmir, managing director of regulatory services at the Financial Services Authority, will be presenting a keynote speech at Europe's leading financial services compliance and technology exhibition and conference held at London's ExCeL centre on the 18 and 19 May.

  • GMAC-RFC announces 32% growth of mortgage lending in 2004

    26 Apr 2005

    GMAC-RFC, the UKs twelfth largest mortgage lender, has published its 2004 annual accounts, revealing a 32% growth in mortgage lending.

  • GMAC-RFC raises income multiples

    25 Apr 2005

    GMAC-RFC has raised income multiples by 0.25% across its range to help with affordability, but says this will not increase risk to itself or borrowers.On mortgages with LTVs up to 75% the income multiple is now 4 x single and 3.75 x joint and on mortgages with LTVs over 75% the income multiple is now 4 x single and 3.3 x joint.GMAC-RFC head of marketing Jeff Knight says: "We want to tackle the issue of affordability while balancing risk - we do not condone irresponsible lending. ...

  • GMAC-RFC says GM losses are not its problem

    25 Apr 2005

    GMAC-RFC says parent group General Motors' quarterly loss of US$1.1bn will not affect its business.GM reported its worst results in a decade last week, blaming the losses on its healthcare and car-making divisions. However, GMAC-RFC says it is shielded from GM's problems.Jeff Knight, head of marketing services at GMAC-RFC, says: "This does not affect our side of the business at all. GM is a big company and we are part of the financial side."GMAC's mortgage volumes reached ...

  • Gross lending up 13% in March

    25 Apr 2005

    Gross lending in March totalled 20.1bn, up 13% from 17.8bn in February, the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders reveals.But this is still 19% lower than the same time last year. In the first quarter of 2005 lending dropped by 16% to 55.3bn, from 66bn in the fourth quarter of 2004.The fall over the quarter was principally due to seasonal falls in January and February. Lending fell for both house purchase and remortgaging over the quarter by 12% and 24% respectively.However, ...

  • House prices increase by 0.9% in April

    29 Apr 2005

    House prices increased by 0.9% in April, reversing the fall in prices in March, says the latest figures from Nationwide.

  • Howard would dump Stamp Duty for average home

    25 Apr 2005

    Michael Howard, leader of the Conservatives, has promised to abolish Stamp Duty for the average home in Britain if his party gets into power.The threshold will increase by 130,000, from 120,000 to 250,000, which Howard says will help young people get a start in the market and make it easier for young couples starting families to buy bigger homes.He says: "Six years ago you paid 900 on the average house in England and Wales. Under Blair it's risen to 1,800. With a Conservative ...

  • Huntswood urges lenders and brokers to streamline costs

    28 Apr 2005

    Six months post regulation, Huntswood - a leading compliance specialist and consultant to the retail financial services industry - is urging lenders and intermediaries to use this milestone as a spur to streamline their business processes and slash their overall cost base.The Financial Services Authority estimated the ongoing cost of mortgage industry compliance at 68m, on top of a one-off 134m industry transition cost.

  • If clients can't pay, they can't play

    25 Apr 2005

    The payslip controversy highlights the fact that if a customer cannot afford a particular mortgage, there is no way of bending the rules to make their income fit, says Neal Smith

  • Internet Insite

    25 Apr 2005

    Mortgage Strategy's weekly guide to what's hot and what's not on the web. Jeff Sutherland-Kay checks out the websites of brokers, product providers, clubs, networks and packagers

  • Introducing the fees free mortgage

    28 Apr 2005

    You will all be familiar with the fees free remortgage offers that first appeared in the mid 90s and now can be found in every prime lenders product range along with many sub-prime lenders.

  • IPPP initiative is to protect against unforeseen events

    25 Apr 2005

    From Victor J Jannels I'd like to respond to some of the points made by Mark Leaper of Vesta Packaging in Mortgage Strategy's article on April 18 regarding the PMPA's Intermediary Payment Protection Plan initiative. Unfortunately he seems to have missed the point of the plan, falling straight into the trap of assuming that because the PMPA has taken a positive step toward ensuring introducer protection, it follows there must be members who are in trouble. The truth is far ...

  • Jane Ayliff joins Paymentshield

    27 Apr 2005

    Jane Ayliff has joined Paymentshield today as mortgage development manager, a position similar to her previous position at Mortgage Intelligence.

  • KFIs still not right, says A&L

    25 Apr 2005

    Alliance & Leicester has called on more standardisation of Key Facts Illustrations.

  • Knight Frank Sipp service

    29 Apr 2005

    Knight Frank is to launch a residential investment initiative, known as the Knight Frank Sipp service.

  • L&H launches impaired credit mortgage range

    29 Apr 2005

    Leeds & Holbeck is to launch a range of mortgages specifically designed to help customers with impaired credit.

  • Leeds & Holbeck launches mortgage range for Gibraltar

    27 Apr 2005

    Leeds & Holbeck will launch a new range of mortgage products available through its Gibraltar branch.

  • Leeds & Holbeck launches new mortgage range for mainland Spain

    27 Apr 2005

    Leeds & Holbeck has launched a new two-year fixed rate mortgage and three year Base Rate Tracker for properties on Spain's Costa del Sol.

  • Let's get a few things straight about the value of packagers

    25 Apr 2005

    From Wayne Smethurst I'm getting more than a little tired of ill-informed comments from industry figures about packagers. Can we get a few things straight about what we mean when we talk about packagers? A packager is a designer, distributor and processor of non-conforming mortgages. It has a substantial staff base giving it a nationwide reach and has the procedures and controls necessary to provide efficient company management. It has proven training and competence programmes ...

  • Liquid Assets

    25 Apr 2005

    When looking at the equity release market it is worth remembering a few fundamentals that must be focussed on to ensure intermediaries can make the most of the opportunities.

  • Market Watch

    25 Apr 2005

    Short-term swaps were falling last week until inflation figures came out, after which they rose again.

  • MBL denies cutting data input team

    25 Apr 2005

    Mortgage Brain has rebuffed claims its data inputting staff has been slashed by two-thirds.Industry rumours had circulated that the team had been reduced from 15 to five. When Mortgage Strategy phoned the firm, we were told it had seven data-inputting members.Mark Lofthouse, managing director of Mortgage Brain, dismisses the rumour and says the number of data inputting staff at MBL stands at around 12 to 15.He says: "We have substantially invested in our mortgage ...

  • MCCB says surplus should fund regulatory projects

    25 Apr 2005

    The money will be used for schemes aimed at continuing the work of raising industry standards and protecting consumers, together with providing funds for a reduction in future FSA fees payable by mortgage firms.Making repayments to individual firms was considered by the MCCB until it became clear the administrative costs were likely to be in excess of 10% of the surplus and that it would delay liquidation.The MCCB has decided that 300,000 of the surplus should be donated to ...

  • Medical cover option launched

    25 Apr 2005

    A new entrant to the private medical insurance market, YourHealth+, is vowing to turn the market on its head and reduce churning.The company, co-founded by former nurse Jo Clark, this month launched its Health Fund for individuals having offered its corporate product since December last year.It is available through intermediaries with the likes of Sesame, Bankhall and Tenet already signed up. YourHealth+ is now looking to bring more IFAs and brokers on board and is running a ...

  • MEX hikes lifetime loan size

    25 Apr 2005

    Brokers in affluent areas have welcomed the increase and say this is an overdue move to cater for clients with larger properties wanting to withdraw equity in light of decreasing pensions.Since entering the lifetime mortgage market 18 months ago, Mortgage Express has enjoyed strong growth in the area, capturing 20% of the overall market and 30% of the intermediary market.Roger Hillier, product development manager at MEX, says there has been a significant increase in the number ...

  • Mortgage Business Expo counts towards CPD

    26 Apr 2005

    Time spent by registered Institute of Financial Services members at the Mortgage Business Expo Manchester on May 18 and 19 will count towards Continuing Professional Development.

  • Mortgage Express joins The Exchange

    26 Apr 2005

    The Exchange, supplier of portal services to IFAs and mortgage intermediaries, has added Mortgage Express to its equity release trading platform on its Exweb portal.

  • Mortgage Next launches exclusive three-year discounted buy-to-let

    29 Apr 2005

    Mortgage Next, one of the UKs leading mortgage networks, has launched an exclusive three-year discounted buy-to-let mortgage funded by the West Bromwich.

  • Mortgages Direct comments on the CMLs repossession warning

    28 Apr 2005

    Peter Gladdy, director of Mortgages Direct, the financial subsidiary of Spicerhaart, the largest network of independent estate agents in the UK and Europe, has reacted to the Council of Mortgage Lenders latest warning on repossessions.

  • Mortgages Direct offers first-time buyers new scheme

    27 Apr 2005

    Mortgages Direct the financial subsidiary of Spicerhaart, one of the largest independent network of estate agents in the UK and Europe, is offering to shoulder the burden for first-time buyers.

  • Mortgages PLC confirms emergence of super packagers

    29 Apr 2005

    Mortgages PLC has confirmed the emergence of a new breed of super-packagers who are starting to dominate distribution in the sub-prime mortgage market.

  • Mutual interest in quality service

    25 Apr 2005

    In a declining housing market, the future of smaller mutuals depends on their offering top service along with competitive deals in a strategy to retain customers, says Martin Thomas

  • Mystery of MCCB millions solved

    25 Apr 2005

    The mystery of the Mortgage Code Compliance Board's missing millions was explained at last week's Council of Mortgage Lenders' lunch by MCCB chairman Colin Harris.

  • N&P's electronic trading system gets top vote

    29 Apr 2005

    A survey of Bradford & Bingley mortgage advisers says Norwich and Peterboroughs electronic trading service is the best broker site for usability and reliability.

  • NatWest offset deals via MTE

    25 Apr 2005

    The launch follows the unveiling of offset products through NatWest's branch network last summer.Although fellow Royal Bank of Scotland subsidiary The One account already offers offset products, NatWest denies it will be in direct competition.Mary Masson, media relations manager at NatWest, says: "Our offset proposition will see all accounts kept separate under the one umbrella whereas The One account is effectively one big overdraft with tiered rates."NatWest ...

  • New addition to Lime panel enhances commercial offering

    26 Apr 2005

    Lime, the mortgage and GI arm of the Tenet Group, is signing a deal with Callbruce, which will significantly enhance its general insurance commercial offering.

  • New mortgage products set to boost buy-to-let market

    29 Apr 2005

    New tax perks to be introduced in April 2006 are set to give a big boost to people looking to invest in the buy-to-let housing market.

  • Nicks Notes

    25 Apr 2005

    Chef Jamie Oliver's campaign to improve school dinners was a real eye opener for many and has caused quite a stir in the pre-election campaign. His TV programme exposed school dinners as being ready-made meals with poor quality ingredients and high fat content.

  • On the beat

    25 Apr 2005

    The issue of deeds release fees is gathering pace, with the BBC Radio Four consumer programme You and Yours airing it recently.

  • Out of the comfort zone and into the unknown

    25 Apr 2005

    Mark Witcomb is senior consultant at Venatus Business Intelligence

  • Over 15bn transacted using the Mortgage Trading Exchange

    29 Apr 2005

    Mortgage Brain, one of the UKs leading electronic trading, compliance and mortgage sourcing technology provider, says transaction volumes using the Mortgage Trading Exchange are now exceeding 15bn per year.

  • Platform strengthens marketing team

    27 Apr 2005

    Platform has appointed Emily Bosley as marketing communications manager and the promoted of Nick Allen to product marketing manager.

  • Positive feedback for IF offset range

    25 Apr 2005

    Intelligent Finance has received positive feedback for its range of offset mortgages.The HBOS subsidiary is offering six offset mortgages including two-year tracker products, a tracker for the term of the mortgage and an improved discounted offset.The offset tracker 60 comes at 5.29%, available up to 60% LTV, and the offset tracker 80 at 5.39% is available up to 80% LTV.IF has also launched the offset discounted 90 at 5.45%, the offset tracker 95 at 5.59%, and the offset ...

  • Positive Solutions to provide partners insurance with D&D

    29 Apr 2005

    D&D Homecare, the general insurance provider, has agreed terms with Positive Solutions to provide its partners with mortgage and payment protection Insurance.

  • Promotions guide from MPLC

    25 Apr 2005

    The guide, which is currently being written, will explain what intermediaries should consider when issuing promotions, and will provide examples of good and bad practice.Josh Cooper, spokesman for Mortgages PLC, says: "We have noted with interest stories in Mortgage Strategy regarding regulated firms carrying out non-compliant promotions."We feel this means compliant lenders and brokers are losing out. It's not fair on them."Mortgages PLC has conducted research in ...

  • Provisional liquidators appointed to Whiteley Insurance Consultants

    29 Apr 2005

    The High Court in London appointed provisional liquidators Dan Schwarzmann and Nicholas Reed of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP to Whiteley Insurance Consultants, Whiteley, a firm of travel insurance intermediaries.

  • Rates Ladders

    25 Apr 2005

    There are those who would have us believe that following the mis-selling scandals in pensions and endowments, the next financial storm will involve interest-only mortgages.

  • Repossessions shoot up by 25%

    28 Apr 2005

    Repossessions have shot up by almost a quarter in a year, official figures from the Department of Constitutional Affairs have revealed.

  • Right choice brings real benefits

    25 Apr 2005

    BDS Mortgage Group's appropriate choice of technology systems provider has delivered real business benefits to the company and its intermediary partners, says Frank Eve

  • Rooftop expands management team

    26 Apr 2005

    Fast growing specialist lender Rooftop mortgages has made two new appointments to its senior team.

  • Saffron Walden Herts & Essex outline plans in AGM

    26 Apr 2005

    Saffron Walden Herts & Essex say its Annual General Meeting has put forward initiatives that will put it at the forefront of openness and transparency in dealing with its members.

  • Sales of BuildLoan up 41% in last 12 months

    28 Apr 2005

    Self build and renovations market leader, BuildStore, reports that sales of its intermediary product, BuildLoan, have increased 41% in the last twelve months, demonstrating that intermediaries are embracing the business opportunities of the self build and renovations market. BuildLoan offers brokers easy access to a raft of specialist mortgage products that offer advance stage funding for clients wishing to self build or renovate a property. BuildLoan enables people ...

  • Self-building your mortgage business

    25 Apr 2005

    Many of my articles direct intermediaries toward income streams associated with mortgages and this week is no different - the topic is self-build.

  • Shearman to lead Openwork push

    25 Apr 2005

    Paul Shearman will become mortgage network director of Zurich's Openwork division when it launches on June 1, with plans to float the company in three to five years.Shearman's responsibilities will be working with the 36-strong lender panel and driving forward new mortgage propositions. Steve Baker will become mortgage director and recruitment director for Openwork, focussing on what he calls a major recruitment drive.Openwork will have in excess of 2,000 advisers, 1,000 of ...

  • SHIP reports robust figures for Q1 2005

    25 Apr 2005

    The eighteen members of UK equity release industry body, Safe Home Income Plans have today reported robust quarterly new business figures for the three months to March 31 2005.The value of new business written was 251.4m, 3.3% ahead of the first quarter in 2004, at 243.3m. On an annualised basis, new business is now equivalent to 1.2bn.The value of lifetime mortgage business written was 238.1m, 95% of the total, while the value of home Reversions written business was 13.3m, ...

  • Simple way to help first-time buyers

    25 Apr 2005

    Gaining access to a sufficiently large mortgage is the main problem facing first-time buyers and the solution lies in finding better ways of assessing affordability, says Richard Farr

  • SPML appoints Roger Smith as credit strategy manager

    29 Apr 2005

    Southern Pacific Mortgage Limited has appointed Roger Smith to the newly-created post of credit strategy manager, reporting to SPMLs director of credit, Stuart Aitken.

  • Squatters hit average house value by 26,000

    27 Apr 2005

    Forget about damp in the cellar, who lives next door can be just as important when deciding where to live, and how much to pay, reveals property website propertyfinder.com.

  • TBMC launches buy-to-let product

    26 Apr 2005

    Cardiff based packager The Business Mortgage Company has launched in conjunction with Paragon a buy to let product at 4.99% fixed until August 31, 2007.

  • TFC to offer co branded facilities with SPML

    25 Apr 2005

    The Finance Centre has become the latest mortgage distributor to offer SPML mortgages in a co branded arrangement, under its brand TFC Homeloans which already offers products from GMAC, Mortgages PLC and Future Mortgages.

  • Thanks for the broker award

    25 Apr 2005

    From Andy Wilgoss On behalf of my team, I was delighted to receive the Best Small Broker award for the second year running at the MS Awards and am grateful to the lender representatives who voted for us. Over the past five years we have worked hard at forging and maintaining a good reputation with lenders and suppliers. This award is a testimony to the quality delivery of the brand by my team. I'd also like to acknowledge the quality of the other nominated firms in our category. ...

  • The Derbyshire teams up with MI

    25 Apr 2005

    The Derbyshire has teamed up with Mortgage Intelligence to launch two three-year fixed rate buy-to-let mortgage products.

  • The Exchange integrates with FAIRS

    27 Apr 2005

    The Exchange, a supplier of portal services to IFAs, has integrated its comparative quotation and electronic application services with FAIRS, the back office administration system from Wealth Management Software.

  • The Finance Centre joins Platform as a branded lending partner

    29 Apr 2005

    Platform has signed up The Finance Centre as its latest branded partner.

  • The Mortgage Mole

    25 Apr 2005

    Digging the dirt in the mortgage world

  • Time for the FSA to treat mortgage advisers fairly

    25 Apr 2005

    From Lee Martin Treating Customers Fairly? What does the Financial Services Authority think we do every day of our working lives? Does it think we are stinging people with small print, massive fees and unnecessary paperwork? All we do is try to get our clients the best deals we can and charge a decent fee to make a living. Sometimes we go well beyond the call of duty. I need to move from a partnership and take either sole trader or limited company status. I have sought advice ...

  • TMTG launches exclusive B&W products

    26 Apr 2005

    The Mortgage Times Group has three new exclusive products from Bristol & West.

  • Tories slam Labour ad

    25 Apr 2005

    The Conservatives have hit out at Labour's new advertising campaign which attacks the Tories' mismanagement of the economy when it was last in power.The poster shows a seven-year old child, and says: "I was only seven, but I will never forget repossession."It then says: "Remember the Tories' 15% mortgage rates, let's take Britain forward."George Osborne, shadow chief secretary, says: "It is sad that after eight years, Labour has nothing positive to say. Only the Conservatives ...

  • Tories take clear lead in MS poll

    25 Apr 2005

    The Conservative Party is clearly in the lead at the end of the first week of our online straw poll to gauge where the mortgage industry's political loyalties lie.The Tories have 50% of the vote, double that of their nearest rival, Labour, with 25%.The Liberal Democrats are going strong in third place at 18% with just 7% of those polled picking an alternative party.But the general election is still a number of weeks away and it could all change. So as May 5 approaches, go ...

  • Two million tenancies go right

    29 Apr 2005

    Tenant horror stories' may attract a lot of attention, but the majority of buy-to-lets work well for all parties, says the National Landlords Association.

  • UK consumers pay 140m in unnecessary higher lending charges

    25 Apr 2005

    Nationwide estimates that borrowers in the UK are paying 140m in unnecessary higher lending charges.

  • Vesta adds two lenders to panel

    25 Apr 2005

    National packager and branded lender Vesta Packaging has added Portman and The Mortgage Works to its panel of lenders.Vesta says the additions make its lending panel one of the most comprehensive in the packaging sector.Mark Leaper, manager director of Vesta, says: "Both brands give Vesta a range of market-leading products. These include fixed rates from as low as 2.35% fixed for two years and competitive discount and flexible tracker deals."The Mortgage Works offers great ...

  • Welcome rise in first-time buyers say brokers

    26 Apr 2005

    First-time buyers are making their presence felt in the market once again despite prevailing uncertainties surrounding the wider economy, says broker My Mortgage Direct. The telephone and online mortgage specialist has recorded a 16% rise in applications from first-time buyers since the beginning of the year, broadly in line with recent data from the National Association of Estate Agents. Paul Hearnden, managing director at MMD, says: "First-time buyers keep the cogs of ...

  • Will offset mortgages remain a niche product or are they heading toward the mainstream?

    25 Apr 2005

    Increasing the availability and competitiveness of deals with offset facilities is likely to lead to a growing market, say our experts

  • Would scrapping HIPs be good for housing market?

    25 Apr 2005

    The Conservatives last week pledged to scrap proposals to introduce Home Information Pack if they win the election.The pledge was made by John Hayes MP, shadow minister for housing and planning.He says: "A Conservative government would suspend this scheme immediately. We would cut red tape for people wanting to sell their homes and would put to rest once and for all the idea of HIPs."But outsourcing firm xit2 says there is growing confidence among surveyors that the industry ...

  • Yorkshire members vote for charity

    28 Apr 2005

    Yorkshire members had the opportunity this year to contribute to charity when voting for the Annual General Meeting resolutions.

  • You happiness matters in today's job market, your

    25 Apr 2005

    Colin Lloyd is head of operations at Reed Insurance

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