Mortgage Strategy
26 March 2007

  • Commercial service online

    26 Mar 2007

    Commercial Mortgage Solutions is offering Mortgage Brain users its whole of market commercial mortgage service. The sourcing system's software allows users to click through to its commercial website, and from there they can complete an online decision in principle form. Adrian Coles, managing director of CMS, says: "Not only does this source from a true whole of market perspective but recommendations are based on researched advice."

  • Personal advice spurs saving

    26 Mar 2007

    Face-to-face financial advice is the key to helping to bridge the UK's £2.3trillion protection gap, claims Co-operative Insurance. Its research has found personal advice is a key factor in encouraging previous non-savers to get into the savings habit - a process that should be replicated in the protection market.

  • Rate cut on B2L deal

    26 Mar 2007

    Royal Bank of Scotland Intermediary Partners is to cut the rate on its NatWest buy-to-let two-year fixed rate mortgage to 5.35% from 5.74%.

  • RBS staff held to account

    26 Mar 2007

    The Royal Bank of Scotland Group has warned its UK staff that they must have their primary bank account with the group or face disciplinary action.

  • Tenancy scheme tariffs unveiled

    26 Mar 2007

    Tenancy Deposit Solutions has unveiled its tariff for agents who join its tenancy deposit protection scheme. Following a one-off joining charge, fees will be payable by agents on a pay-as-you-go basis. An annual renewal fee per branch is also required - £50 for members and £75 for non-members.

  • 1.6Bn record lending for TMB

    1 Apr 2007

    The Mortgage Business revealed 1.637bn in new business for Q1 2007 earlier this month.

  • A look at great deals available exclusively on the club circuit

    1 Apr 2007

    I thought it would be interesting to look at some good products that are available through mortgage clubs rather than directly. While mortgage clubs are quite good at emailing updates and monthly summaries, it is difficult to keep track of what's around. Looking on sourcing systems tends to bring up bewildering lists of products and unless intermediaries want to look at each one in turn, they can't tell which ones are network exclusives or exclusives to directly authorised firms which ...

  • A man on the move

    26 Mar 2007

    Becoming head of intermediary sales for Cheltenham & Gloucester was the perfect step for Mark Blackwell who was looking to work for a large lender, he tells Clare Bettelley

  • Abbey launches fix and tracker

    26 Mar 2007

    Abbey has launched a 10-year fixed rate and a 4.99% tracker. Its no-upfront fee deals include a two-year fix at 5.59% and a remortgage deal fixed at 5.64%. Its £999 upfront fee two-year deal is fixed at 4.99%, while its 10-year fixed rate is 5.34%.

  • ABN Amro could face legal action over Barclays deal

    26 Mar 2007

    Hedge fund investor TCI is reportedly planning to take legal action against ABN Amro bank if it fails to talk to potential buyers other than current suitor Barclays.

  • Accord expands credit repair offering

    30 Mar 2007

    Accord has expanded its credit repair product range with two-year fixed rates that come with free valuation

  • Advanced apprenticeship scheme awaits approval

    26 Mar 2007

    An apprenticeship scheme for trainee financial advisers, designed by the Financial Services Skills Council, is in the process of being approved by the Apprenticeship Approval Group.

  • AHIPP warns on increase in HIP enquiries

    28 Mar 2007

    AHIPP has advised estate agents to ensure their staff are fully prepared to face a growing number of queries on Home Information Packs.

  • AHIPP welcomes "pragmatic" regulations

    29 Mar 2007

    The Association of Home Information Pack Providers welcomes pragmatic government regulations on HIPs.

  • Alliance of Mortgage Packagers and Distributors: Only switched on lenders are welcome to join packager party

    1 Apr 2007

    For packager groups, the ability to maintain lasting and genuine two-way partnerships will be essential as we move forward. The ability for a group to deal with a lender in its entirety is and will continue to be quite a challenge. Let us face it, the statement that "it's not love it's business" couldn't be more true and, I am sure, for some lenders it is a "needs must". At the moment I am inundated with lenders that now want to deal with packagers. This is obviously music to my ears but ...

  • AMI board elections are set for spring

    26 Mar 2007

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries has released details of its board elections that will take place this spring.

  • AMPD to offer Freedom self-cert

    27 Mar 2007

    Freedom Lending has launched a two-year self-cert tracker mortgage available exclusively via members of the Alliance of Mortgage Packagers and Distributors.

  • Are borrowers better off opting for fixed rates rather than going for cheaper variable rates?

    26 Mar 2007

    Individual circumstances rather than market conditions should determine brokers' choice of deals for their clients, say our experts

  • Association of Mortgage Intermediaries: Creating a voice for packagers

    1 Apr 2007

    Many years ago when Tony Blair's approval ratings were positive our soon to be ex-prime minister talked of a new age of politics and styled this as 'the third way'. This wouldn't be a government working on the basis of political polarisation - reliant on 'left' or 'right' - but a completely new way of delivering change.

  • ATOM appoints RDM's

    27 Mar 2007

    All Types of Mortgages has appointed Karen Clarke and Rob Miller as regional development managers for the southern regions.

  • ATOM stands test

    1 Apr 2007

    ll Types of Mortgages wants to be considered as "the Harrods of the mortgage market", chairman Vic Jannels tells me when I meet him, his son, sales and marketing director Dale Jannels, compliance and administration director Tim Henson and managing director Richard Hearn at the company head office in Horsham, West Sussex.

  • Average Council Tax up 4.3% in 2007-08

    27 Mar 2007

    The average Council Tax per dwelling under the rates set by local authorities for 2007-08 will be 1,101, the Department of Communities and Local Government has revealed today.

  • Barclaycard names director

    26 Mar 2007

    Neil Radley has been appointed managing director of UK secured lending at Barclaycard, which encompasses Firstplus, and its sister company Broker Ridge. Radley has spent the past two years working on venture capital projects and previously held a number of senior roles in HBOS.

  • Base rate hikes unsettle borrowers, warns Fool.co.uk

    26 Mar 2007

    Three interest rate hikes within the space of six months have unsettled Britains homeowners, says Fool.co.uk.

  • BDM of the week

    26 Mar 2007

    Peter Eckersley is genuine, warm and reliable and brings to bear his wealth of valuable experience in the industry in his dealings with clients, says Mike Richardson

  • Be compliant in handling complaints

    26 Mar 2007

    The FOS will soon be responsible for handling all consumer credit complaints and brokers must be aware of the important implications this has for them, says Bill Warren

  • Big lenders must lead the green way

    26 Mar 2007

    If a big high street lender enters the market with a green mortgage, it will encourage others to get on board and the rates of these products will come down, says Mark Harris

  • BM Solutions launches buy-to-let products

    26 Mar 2007

    BM Solutions has launched a range of products across its buy-to-let range.

  • Borrowers opt for shorter term deals, says IF

    27 Mar 2007

    Term reduction has become a key aspiration for mortgage holders, research by Intelligent Finance shows.

  • Bridgewater appoints senior actuary

    30 Mar 2007

    Bridgewater has appointed Paul Barber as senior actuary ahead of home reversion regulations.

  • Brokers resent lenders that offer products direct

    26 Mar 2007

    They may control as much as three-quarters of the mortgage market but brokers still resent lenders that offer products direct to consumers.

  • Brokers see record monthly deals, says IMLA

    29 Mar 2007

    Recent research from the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association has revealed volumes of mortgages handled by intermediaries have risen to a record 20 per month.

  • Brown fails to get it SUSD again

    26 Mar 2007

    It is perhaps apt that Gordon Brown should deliver his final Budget just a little over one week before the Financial Services Authority's Treating Customers Fairly deadline of March 31.

  • Brown snubs home owners

    26 Mar 2007

    Chancellor Gordon Brown ignored home owners' pleas last week after he made no changes to the Stamp Duty thresholds in his 11th Budget.

  • Buying to let with tenants in place

    26 Mar 2007

    HomeLet IPEX, the first national scheme allowing buy-to-let properties to be bought and sold with the tenants in place, was opened for business last week. The scheme allows landlords to be aware of potential profits before they buy a property and to save time seeking tenants.

  • C&G service is so bad I will never use the lender again

    26 Mar 2007

    Regarding Jan Bull's recent letter (Mortgage StrategyMarch 12) regarding her experience with Cheltenham & Gloucester prompted me to add my bit to the discussion.

  • Call for industry to go green

    26 Mar 2007

    Praxis is calling on the mortgage industry to go green after announcing it is to aim for a prestigious environmental award. Richard Stettner, managing director of Praxis, says: "As an industry, I don't think we do enough for the environment."

  • Charcol warns consumers off long-term fixes

    28 Mar 2007

    John Charcol has urged consumers to consider whether now is the right time to lock into a long term fix.

  • Chilton takes over at Homeowners

    26 Mar 2007

    Mark Chilton has been appointed chief executive of Network Data Holding's lender Homeowners Mortgages.

  • Citigroup refutes job loss claims

    27 Mar 2007

    Citigroup has refuted claims that it is to cut up to 15,000 jobs in its impending restructuring next month.

  • Clayton to acquire Euro Risk

    30 Mar 2007

    Clayton Holdings is to acquire Euro Risk Management, Bristol, a credit and risk consultancy operating in the UK, Italy and Holland.

  • Click to increase sales team

    30 Mar 2007

    Click has revealed its plans to recruit a further 100 staff to meet 2007 growth targets.

  • CML gives its backing to TCF lender website

    26 Mar 2007

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has thrown its weight behind The TCF Lender Forum website in a bid to get the industry to embrace the Treating Customers Fairly initiative before next Saturday's deadline.

  • C-NLIS appoints Briscoe to board

    27 Mar 2007

    The Council for the National Land Information Service which has appointed Sir Brian Briscoe to the board of directors.

  • Conveyancing service for IFA

    26 Mar 2007

    Convex Conveyancing is to roll out its conveyancing service to independent financial adviser The Clarkson Hill Group. Duncan Samuel, managing director at Convex, says: "We are confident that clients and advisers will benefit greatly from using our system."

  • Cost of moving trebles

    26 Mar 2007

    The overall cost of moving house has more than trebled over the past 10 years, says Propertyfinder.com. It estimates the cost now stands at £9,486 - up from £2,925 in 1996.

  • Coventry unveils Godiva

    1 Apr 2007

    Coventry Building Society is to launch an intermediary lender focusing on the specialist mortgage market.

  • CurriculumVitae - Philip Williamson

    26 Mar 2007

    "South Carolina has great golf courses, lovely beaches, excellent birdlife (the feathered kind), good food and music."

  • DA brokers miss out on club products

    26 Mar 2007

    Just before Mortgage Day, many lenders stopped product development and some even repriced upwards so that reduced demand would let them develop technology to cope with regulation.

  • Dear Delia

    26 Mar 2007

    Dear Delia Following the past three Bank of England base rate increases, a number of my buy-to-let clients aren't generating sufficient rental income to meet lenders' rental cover requirements. This is particularly the case at 85% LTV where in some cases the rental income barely covers 100% of the monthly mortgage payment. What would you advise?

  • Deutsche Bank shares decline

    26 Mar 2007

    Deutsche Bank has disclosed that it holds less than 5% of its own shares. From March 21, DB shares declined to 4.63% of its issued share capital.

  • Distribution is king in Europe

    1 Apr 2007

    Mortgage Distribution across Europe has grown massively in the last 10 years at the expense of the traditional high street bank branch and will continue to grow, research published last month suggests.

  • Don't be a well-kept secret

    1 Apr 2007

    At some point in the life of a service business the owner has to step back and attempt to understand how to realise the value of the company. For mortgage brokers running businesses built on relationships this means giving your company the credibility to go on after your departure.

  • E2M to hold HIP seminars

    26 Mar 2007

    Easier2Move is to hold a programme of free Home Information Pack seminars for independent financial advisers.

  • EDGE users to receive free legals

    29 Mar 2007

    Enterprise Group is offering free valuations and free legals for all products sourced through its EDGE sourcing system.

  • eMoneyfacts and MTE join forces

    26 Mar 2007

    eMoneyfacts is in the final stages of upgrading its broker sourcing system with the Mortgage Trading Exchange - and is due to go live in May. The intermediary arm of Moneyfacts recently surveyed 8,000 brokers who use the mortgage sourcing functionality on eMoneyfacts.co.uk.

  • Enjoy the spring as the going could get tough

    26 Mar 2007

    The daffodils are out, the cherry trees are in blossom and farms are advertising their lambing weekends, so the traditional popular time for house hunting must be upon us.

  • Enough of this Vulgo business

    1 Apr 2007

    By Payam Azadi,

  • Equity release course success

    26 Mar 2007

    The IFS School of Finance says large numbers of mortgage advisers have already signed up to its Certificate in Regulated Equity Release in advance of regulation next month. From April 6, the sale and marketing of equity release products including lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans will be regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Therefore, anyone giving advice on equity release products will soon be required by law to hold an appropriate qualification. The IFS School ...

  • Equity release plugged as biggest growth area

    28 Mar 2007

    Brokers predict equity release will be the biggest specialist growth area in the over the next 10 years, independent research commissioned by BM Solutions reveals.

  • Exclusive Connections: Entering a new era of quality

    1 Apr 2007

    What do intermediaries expect from packagers? This might seem to have an obvious answer with the cries of good products and low rates and higher commission at the top of the list. But there is a wider expectation that should really be at the top of advisers' lists when deciding what they want from packagers.

  • Exclusive: Prust to launch lender

    28 Mar 2007

    John Prust, Bill Cherry and Stuart Aitken are rumoured to be launching their new lender in September.

  • February gross mortgage lending 14.9bn, says BBA

    27 Mar 2007

    Gross mortgage lending fell in February but was up 7% on the previous year, analysis by the British Bankers Association reveals. In February gross mortgage lending stood at 14.9bn, well down on the 16.6bn seen in January.

  • Finance arm rebranded

    26 Mar 2007

    Spicerhaart has rebranded its financial subsidiary Mortgages Direct to Spicerhaart Financial Services.The renaming will bring the organisation into line with the company's estate agency branches. The financial arm will continue to operate within the 250 branches, adopting the branch name from each of the brands - haart, Felicity J Lord, SpicerMcColl or Darlows.

  • Fixed deals stop clients getting in a fix

    26 Mar 2007

    In everyday conversation to get yourself 'in a fix' means to get into a spot of bother. On the other hand, in mortgage jargon, it means stability and security, and brings with it the benefit of knowing what mortgage repayments will be.

  • Fixed rates grow in popularity

    26 Mar 2007

    The number of borrowers opting for longer term fixes increased by 11% in February to a record 32% of all mortgages, reports Spicerhaart. The estate agent's financial services index attributes the increase to a belief that interest rates are likely to increase and stay high.

  • Freedom Lending makes underwriting appointments

    26 Mar 2007

    Freedom Lending, the prime niche lending subsidiary of Merrill Lynch, has strengthened its underwriting and technical teams with four appointments:

  • Freehold: Finding strength in numbers

    1 Apr 2007

    You don't need to have been in this industry long to remember being told the future of packagers was shaky, to say the least. Where would they fit within the new regime of lenders dealing direct with intermediaries, supported by revolutionary IT systems - and what benefit could they bring?

  • From my point of view - wayne dewsbury, sales director, direct financial services

    1 Apr 2007

    So this was going to be it; I was heading for the Summit. I had previously experienced single-lender conferences where everyone is "on message" and honour bound to keep their mouths closed if anything controversial should arise. But that was nothing compared to the multi-lender Summit.

  • FSA advice on wording leads to confusion on adverts

    26 Mar 2007

    As a sole trader working in this regulated world, things aren’t easy, so when you try to put together an advert to generate some more business a bit of clarity would be nice.

  • FSA confirms PPI refunds agreement

    29 Mar 2007

    The Financial Services Authority has revealed that payment protection insurance customers with a single premium will now be able to get a refund on new or existing schemes.

  • FSA plans PPI cancellation clauses

    26 Mar 2007

    The Financial Services Authority is planning to implement cancellation clauses in single premium payment protection insurance products to allow holders to leave the schemes and receive refunds.

  • FSCS poised for overhaul

    26 Mar 2007

    The Financial Services Au-thority has deemed the present funding system for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme "not fit for purpose".

  • GEMHL is top RAMP lender

    29 Mar 2007

    GE Money Home Lending says it has been recognised as the Regulatory Association of Mortgage Packagers' number one lender for mortgage completions.

  • GHL offers MPLC fixed

    30 Mar 2007

    GHL Group has launched a limited availability fixed rate product, funded by Mortgages PLC.

  • GMAC-RFC offers instant buy-to-let deals

    26 Mar 2007

    GMAC-RFC is now offering an instant mortgage where the LTV on a buy-to-let mortgage is 70% or less.

  • GMAC-RFC sells portfolios to Morgan Stanley

    28 Mar 2007

    GMAC-RFC has sold of two portfolios to Morgan Stanley totalling £670m.

  • GMAC-RFC's Partners programme turns over £3.3bn

    27 Mar 2007

    GMAC-RFC’s Partners programme which has now been running for a year has turned over £3.2bn in mortgage compeletions.

  • Godiva launches into specialist lending arena

    26 Mar 2007

    Godiva Mortgages, the specialist lending subsidiary of Coventry, officially launched last week. Godiva Mortgages will build on the Coventry's existing offering as a specialist lender for intermediaries and will feature a range of products for the buy-to-let, self-cert, credit impaired and 100% plus LTV markets.

  • Good client relationships will pay off

    26 Mar 2007

    In this era of technology, companies are learning that one of the most important lessons of the old economy still holds true - building and maintaining client relationships is vital, says Sally Laker

  • Gove to speak at AMI dinner

    30 Mar 2007

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries has revealed that Michael Gove, the shadow minister for housing, will be speaking at its annual dinner on June 19 2007. Chris Cummings, director general of AMI, says: “We are delighted that high profile shadow minister, Michael Gove, has agreed to speak at the AMI annual dinner.

  • Government makes changes to HIP regulations

    29 Mar 2007

    The government has changed the date sellers must have a Home Information Pack if their property is on the market before June 1 2007 for a third time.

  • Green mortgage hype is a whitewash

    26 Mar 2007

    Global warming is a worry but government efforts to promote green mortgages are simply going to cause consumers to view financial institutions with cynicism, says Mel Dring

  • HAE calls for compulsory estate agents' training

    27 Mar 2007

    Halifax Estate Agents has urged firms to ensure their staff in every branch are qualified by the National Association of Estate Agents.

  • Halifax added to Network Data's insurance panel

    26 Mar 2007

    Halifax General Insurance has been appointed to the general insurance panel for Network Data.

  • Halifax loses customer information

    27 Mar 2007

    Halifax has lost 13,000 customers mortgage details after a employees car, which contained the documents, was stolen. The information was to be used when liasing with brokers who had applied for Halifax mortgages. It did not contain any pin numbers, passwords or account numbers, but 1,800 contained addresses, mortgage account numbers and balances.HBOS has assured its clients that it would be almost impossible to commit any sort of financial fraud with the information.

  • Halifax's so-called promise turned out to be worthless

    26 Mar 2007

    This letter is in the nature of a cautionary note to advisers on using Halifax's inaccurately titled Mortgage Promise application in principle.

  • Helping clients in the danger zone

    26 Mar 2007

    Chancellor Gordon Brown wants to see the private and public sectors working together on rehabilitation schemes - trying to get people back to work and earning again. This is admirable and shows great commitment from the government, but does it go far enough?

  • Heritable extends introductory fees

    26 Mar 2007

    Heritable has revealed it will extend its residential mortgages introductory fee offer by a month, to April 30.

  • HIPs are a mess we will have to face

    26 Mar 2007

    What a mess we are in. To be specific, what a mess Home Information Packs are in. In fact, it's hard to understand how we have ended up in this position.

  • Home of Choice Group shareholders as at November 12 2006

    1 Apr 2007

    Information extracted from the Annual Returns of Home of Choice Group LimitedShareholder 12-Nov-05 12-Nov-06 % of total ate with a negative balance sheet and no supportive owner with deep pockets?

  • Home of Choice: Chancellor fails the TCF test

    1 Apr 2007

    Homeowners can insure property against accidents, foul play and malicious damage. But none of us are immune from Gordon Brown's property wealth taxes.

  • House price inflation slowed in March, says Nationwide

    29 Mar 2007

    House price inflation slowed to 9.3% in March, the latest figures from Nationwide reveal.

  • House prices rose 0.8% this month

    26 Mar 2007

    The latest national housing survey from Hometrack shows that average prices grew by 0.8% in March, up from 0.7% the previous month. The annual rate of growth now stands at 6.7% - the highest annual rate since June 2003.

  • Hush Hush

    1 Apr 2007

    making a stink They say never work with children or animals but it appears the same could be said for several people in the mortgage industry. There are just some things you really cant legislate for. Such as silly messages written on white boards. It seems that someone at Mortgagematch Home Loans thought it would be funny to sneak the message Amo stinks onto the white board in the background of our Meet the Mortgage Desk last month. Honestly, you just cant get the staff these days!!

  • If you think press ads for small brokers are bad, take a look at the internet

    26 Mar 2007

    In response to a recent letter from Simon Robins (Mortgage Strategy March 12), I would like to express my continued exasperation at the degree to which some mortgage brokers seem to persistently and (heaven forbid) knowingly flout the MCOB3 regulations.

  • IFAs missing out on special risk protection market

    27 Mar 2007

    IFAs are missing out on the special risk market, says The Insurance Surgery.

  • IHT threshold raised but savers are still deterred

    26 Mar 2007

    Despite Gordon Brown increasing the Inheritance Tax zero rate threshold to £350,000 by 2010 last week, pundits say by not keeping it in line with inflation he is still deterring savers.

  • Inequitable treatment of equity release

    26 Mar 2007

    Wasn't it comforting to see financial guru Martin Lewis on TV last Monday having yet another go at an industry which is no doubt making so much money for him?

  • Kensington admits to takeover talks with a 'limited number' of suitors

    1 Apr 2007

    Kensington Group has admitted this month it has had takeover discussions "with a limited number of parties" that have approached it.

  • Kensington ousts Maltby

    26 Mar 2007

    John Maltby has quit Kensington Group bagging a 310,000 pay-off, following the group's board issuing a profit warning.

  • Kensington sales star quits for Swift

    29 Mar 2007

    Martin Sims has quit his position of head of sales development and project management at Kensington Mortgages to join the Swift Group.

  • KGB offers free vals

    27 Mar 2007

    KGB Packaging is offering free valuations on all Mortgages PLC’s standard mortgage products, with the exception of buy to-let deals.

  • King warns on turbulent world financial markets

    27 Mar 2007

    The governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King says there has been turbulence in world financial markets and mixed signals about the economy in the UK.

  • L&G receive top marks

    29 Mar 2007

    Legal & General has been rated the top provider for life protection, critical illness, income protection and menu protection by the Financial Technology Research Centre

  • L&G reports 19% drop in critical illness rejection rates

    26 Mar 2007

    Legal & General has reported 2006 rejection rates for critical illness claims are 19% lower than the previous year.

  • Labour's not bovvered by HIPs but FTBs will be

    26 Mar 2007

    Notwithstanding the recent cold snap, my garden tells me that we've moved into spring, when a young man's fancy turns to love and the property market emerges from its winter hibernation.

  • Launch for new compliance forum

    1 Apr 2007

    Delegates representing interests across the mortgage industry came together in London for the first meeting of the Mortgage Compliance Forum last month. The meeting, at Kensington Mortgages offices in Paddington, was chaired by Nick Battersby, compliance director of the Regulatory Mortgage Packagers' Alliance.

  • Learning to give up some freedom

    26 Mar 2007

    One of the challenges of my new job is learning to be part of a network. I will let you know how I feel about giving up my directly authorised freedom as time goes on, says Sue Read

  • Learning tough lessons from the US

    26 Mar 2007

    Although the troubles in the US sub-prime mortgage sector should be unique to that country UK lenders can learn some lessons to help them avoid a similar fate, says Ginny Darrow

  • Legal & General: Retention strategies need us

    1 Apr 2007

    I have just come hot foot from chairing a conference on mortgage customer retention. One theme that came through loud and strong was that if lenders want to encourage customers to stay with them at the end of the deal, then they will have to work with intermediaries and distributors, not against them.

  • Legal definition

    1 Apr 2007

    Confused by the plethora of legal jargon in the mortgage industry or want to know what a legal term or practice means? Each month our panel of experts answer questions sent in by readers.

  • Legal definitiondon't remain in the dark

    1 Apr 2007

    Confused by the plethora of legal jargon in the mortgage industry or want to know what a legal term or practice means? Each month our panel of experts answer questions sent in by readers.

  • Lehman brands to use AVMs

    26 Mar 2007

    Lehman Brothers' four mortgage brands are set to use automated valuation models provided by Hometrack.Simon Hinshelwood, chief executive officer of Lehman Brothers' Mortgage Capital businesses, says: "In certain circumstances we will allow our packagers the option of instructing an AVM through Hometrack."

  • Lenders must be true partners

    1 Apr 2007

    The list of new, smaller lenders entering the market place continues to grow apace, with each of them vying for packager association business that will give them the advantage of one relationship offering huge distribution benefits. At the same time, existing lenders approach the packager distribution route with varying degrees of warmth and levels of commitment. Sometimes it even looks as though certain larger lenders continue to woo packagers, but only until they have perfected their ...

  • Lenders report increased shortfalls after sale of property

    27 Mar 2007

    Nearly half of lenders have reported an increase in shortfalls after sale of property, a survey by litigation specialists Moore & Blatch reveals.

  • Letters of the Month: Mortgage clubs are helping to level the playing field

    1 Apr 2007

    From Jonathan CornellWith all the mutterings in the past couple of years about procuration fees having to go down it is great to see that mortgage clubs have recently been able to use their collective bargaining power to negotiate higher proc fees from lenders and thus increase the proc fees they are paying to brokers.

  • Letting agents urged to use Tenancy Deposit Solutions

    27 Mar 2007

    The UK Association of Lettings Agents has advised its members to use Tenancy Deposit Solutions as their form of protecting tenant deposits.

  • Lib Dems slam Council Tax review

    27 Mar 2007

    The Liberal Democrat Party has slammed the government after figures released showed that the average Council Tax for a band D property will increase by 4.2% next year.

  • Lib Dems slam equity release deals

    26 Mar 2007

    The Liberal Democrats have slammed the equity release market as "not working" and called on the government to help create better products and standards.

  • Low rate fixed for one year

    26 Mar 2007

    Catholic has released a one-year fixed product for new purchases and remortgages. The Issue 1 mortgage has a rate of 2.9% for the first year with a discount off the SVR of 0.75% in years two and three. The deal includes free valuations and free legals for remortgages.

  • Lyons tipped to become new BBC chairman

    30 Mar 2007

    Sir Michael Lyons, who last week published his report on Council Tax, is on the shortlist to become the new chairman of the BBC.

  • Many brokers treat staff unfairly

    26 Mar 2007

    One in 10 employees in the field of financial intermediation are victims of unfair treatment in the workplace.

  • Market still strong, but price rises starting to slow

    1 Apr 2007

    2007 Off To A Strong StartIn my last article I predicted a slowing down of the housing market this year. But latest figures from Halifax's House Price Index reveal the market is still strong. Described as 'buoyant' and 'thriving', last year was, without doubt, a strong year for house price growth. The 10% growth in 2006 was achieved against forecasts of 4%, exceeding all expectations.2007 Off To A Strong StartIn my last article I predicted a slowing down of the housing market ...

  • Me & My Car

    26 Mar 2007

    My Audi A8 is an understated, reserved kind of car and fits in well with my relationship with cars - keen but not too keen, says John Pearson

  • MEX launches self-cert at 5.99%

    29 Mar 2007

    Mortgage Express has launched a two-year self-cert product fixed at 5.99%.

  • MEX relaunches self-cert mortgages

    29 Mar 2007

    Mortgage Express has released of a number of self-cert mortgages, following a reprice of all fixed rate products within its self-cert range.

  • Miles unrepentant on price crash prediction

    26 Mar 2007

    Professor David Miles was unrepentant about the prospect that house prices could crash at an industry housing debate last week.

  • Mixed response

    26 Mar 2007

    The response to Gordon Brown's 11th Budget last week was mixed, with many in the industry viewing it as a wasted opportunity on Stamp Duty and others praising the raft of measures to encourage green housing. So, was Brown a hero or a zero? Two industry pundits give us their take.

  • Money Portal acquires stake in TPIM

    26 Mar 2007

    Money Portal has acquired a 7.8% stake in The Property Investment Market with the ability to increase its holding to up to 20%.

  • Moneyfacts.co.uk praises Nationwide's 25-year fix

    26 Mar 2007

    Moneyfacts.co.uk has praised Nationwides 25-year fixed rate mortgage.

  • Moneynet.co.uk questions price comparison site

    30 Mar 2007

    Tesco Personal Finance and Royal Bank of Scotland’s proposal to launch a price comparison website throws up impartiality issues, says Moneynet.co.uk.

  • Mortgage Brain to launch packager proposition

    27 Mar 2007

    Mortgage Brain and the Mortgage Trading Exchange have announced the launch of an exclusive packager proposition.

  • Mortgage Intelligence: Rising wealth of opportunities

    1 Apr 2007

    A new study by Barclays Wealth predicts that the UK will have the highest concentration of high net worth households of any of the G7 countries within a decade. Success in business is now the most popular way to become wealthy, with 71% of people claiming savings from their earnings is their largest source of wealth. The survey also reveals that 44% of people have found success through investing in the property market, compared with 30% who relied on an inheritance as a source of wealth.

  • Mortgage lending may have peaked

    26 Mar 2007

    The Building Societies Association says that despite a record February, mortgage lending has reached a plateau and may not climb to new highs for several months.

  • Mortgage Promotions: Green pastures for the reaping

    1 Apr 2007

    So it looks like the UK is about to embark on a drive to go green. This upsurge in environmental thinking has been partly encouraged by the present trend among politicians who have attempted to demonstrate that their 'green credentials' are more robust than those of their competitors. But sometimes such desires and proposed policies can cloud the real issues.

  • MortgageBox launches tracker deals

    26 Mar 2007

    Mortgagebox has launched three two-year buy-to-let tracker deals with BM Solutions and has increased proc fees from 0.5% to 0.55% for a limited period.

  • Mortgagematch launches a new website

    1 Apr 2007

    Mortgagematch Homeloans has launched a new website and advertising campaign this month.

  • Mortgagematch launches new website

    30 Mar 2007

    Mortgagematch Homeloans has unveiled its new website and advertising campaign which will start in the first week of April.

  • Mosaic adds c2 to panel

    26 Mar 2007

    Mosaic Mortgage Club has appointed c2-Financial as its exclusive packager following a comprehensive assessment of applications.

  • MPLC completes securitisation

    26 Mar 2007

    Mortgages PLC has completed its latest securitisation deal for a total of £575m.Newgate 2007-1 is MPLC's 11th securitisation deal, and comprises predominantly AAA-rated mortgage assets. To date, MPLC has securitised more than £4.8bn worth of mortgages

  • MSTV gets 6,500 hits

    30 Mar 2007

    Cantos has revealed that Mortgage Strategy has seen a rise in its viewing, up to 6,541 viewers overall.

  • MT says its broker forums have been successful

    26 Mar 2007

    The Mortgage Times Group has reported a record turnout of advisers attending its business development forums.

  • Multi-currency service

    26 Mar 2007

    A bespoke multi-currency mortgage service has been launched for individuals or businesses worth 250,000 or more.

  • Nationwide launches 25-year fixed mortgage

    26 Mar 2007

    Nationwide has launched a 25-year fixed rate mortgage.

  • Network Data Holdings: Stop whingeing on about HIPs - just grasp the opportunities

    1 Apr 2007

    There has been a recent last-gasp flurry of activity from the anti-home information pack lobby, comprising the usual gloom and doom predictions for the housing market from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the National Association of Estate Agents, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

  • Never give up where sound commercial sense is involved

    1 Apr 2007

    From Kevin FriendIn this ever evolving sector we work in it is refreshing to know there is no such thing as never.

  • New entrants must have new ideas

    26 Mar 2007

    A number of high street lenders have recently publicised their intention to muscle in on the specialist and intermediary markets, launching product ranges and specialist divisions for this purpose.

  • No Council Tax revaluation

    26 Mar 2007

    The government has said it will not be following Sir Michael Lyons' recommendations for a revaluation of Cou-ncil Tax bands or the introduction of two new bands for higher value properties.

  • No place for sub-prime complacency

    26 Mar 2007

    Sub-prime lenders have been enjoying a boom over the last few years, but the public has only recently become familiar with the term, owing to its role in this month's stock market fluctuations. Markets have been up and down again, and commentators are attributing this to the sub-prime lending crisis in the US.

  • Now FSA turns focus on sub-prime

    1 Apr 2007

    The Financial Services Authority launched the second stage of its review of the effectiveness of its mortgage regime this month, saying the review will focus on areas where "the risk of consumer detriment may be higher, such as sub-prime and lifetime mortgages".

  • On the case

    1 Apr 2007

    Client A is a self-employed city broker and he has seen what he believes is an investment opportunity in a development close to London Bridge. However, the area is being redeveloped and this will affect getting a full rental yield initially and because the property is on the 10th floor he is excluded from most buy-to-let offers.

  • One in 10 buy with cash

    26 Mar 2007

    Just 13% of the three million people planning to buy property between February and July claim they won't need a mortgage, research from mform.co.uk reveals. The vast majority will be downsizing and plan to spend or invest the remaining equity in their homes.

  • Only Group seeks 200 new staff

    26 Mar 2007

    The Only Group is looking to recruit 200 staff by the end of the year from the graduate and young professional market.

  • Opportunity knocks for brokers

    1 Apr 2007

    Research into the secured loans market by Datamonitor in early 2006 suggested the sector was struggling. The introduction of Financial Services Authority regulation to the mortgage market had ensured secured loans were way down the list of intermediary's priorities as they concentrated on getting the big stuff right. Indeed, since the market's peak in 2003, when gross new lending totalled 7bn, the market contracted significantly. Gross new lending had fallen by 3.9% to 6.7bn in 2004 and ...

  • Optoma offers free valuations and legals for DB

    28 Mar 2007

    Optoma is to release exclusives with free valuations and free legals on the DB Mortgages product range. The new incentives are released alongside reduced rates for members of the Intrinsic Network. Chris Smith, new business manager at Optoma, says: “Optoma is delighted with the continued development of our relationship with DB Mortgages which goes from strength to strength.

  • Packager Power

    26 Mar 2007

    There has been a recent increase in satellite packaging, with many lenders now being asked to consider these types of proposals.Is this really about adding value to a process or is it more about securing distribution for the main packager and ensuring higher revenue for brokers?

  • Packagers gain popularity but technology is key, warns IMLA

    1 Apr 2007

    Almost three-quarters of intermediaries submit some or all of their mortgage business via packagers, the latest survey from the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association has revealed.

  • Paragon achieves record pricing on securitisation

    27 Mar 2007

    Paragon Group has achieved record pricing on its latest securitisation, which closed last Thursday on 1.5bn.

  • Peace of mind is still valued by clients

    26 Mar 2007

    The strength of the modern mortgage market was underlined with the Council of Mortgage Lender's publication of lending figures for February. Although showing a drop of 7% on January's figures, the 24.6bn still represented a record February and was up by 9% on the same month last year.

  • Pensioners could be throwing away 15 years profit

    26 Mar 2007

    Failing to investigate an enhanced annuity at retirement could be equivalent to throwing away 15 years of extra fund performance, Just Retirement claims.

  • Persimmon launches combined LTV product

    29 Mar 2007

    Persimmon Homes has launched a new mortgage product, Persimmon Capital Plan to help home buyers get on or move up the property ladder.

  • Pink lending and AR numbers boom

    26 Mar 2007

    Pink Home Loans has revealed a 57% increase in lending to £5.5bn in 2006, while profits reached £1.3m.

  • Pisces updates HIP standard

    26 Mar 2007

    Pisces, the e-commerce standards organisation, has updated its Home Information Pack standard. This addresses steps from a HIP being requested through to its delivery.

  • Placing sub-prime fears into perspective

    1 Apr 2007

    There have been lately quite a few stories predicting doom and gloom for the housing market in the UK on the back of the collapse of the US sub-prime market. Standard & Poor's recently pointed to the similarities between the US and UK sub-prime markets, stating that while the UK sub-prime market was substantially smaller than its US cousin - the market here accounts for only 5% of all UK mortgage lending compared with around 25% in the US - a quarter of those mortgages are already 30 days ...

  • PMPA launches Platform fixed rates

    29 Mar 2007

    The Professional Mortgage Packagers Alliance has launched a suite of Platform fixed rates, available from a limited number of packagers, including all PMPA member firms.

  • PMPA offers two-year fixes

    26 Mar 2007

    The Professional Mortgage Packagers Alliance has teamed up with DB Mortgages to offer two-year fixed rates on DB's light, medium, heavy and unlimited ranges, pegged at the level of a 0.25% reduction on the lender's core fixed rate.

  • PMS online platform offers tailored service

    1 Apr 2007

    Premier Mortgage Service last month launched an online platform which it says offers full mortgage aggregation services as well as a complete back office system.

  • PNP chooses conveyancer

    26 Mar 2007

    Premier Network Partnership, has chosen a Salans as its preferred conveyancer.Steve Moorley, managing director of PNP, says: "We recognised that it was crucial to find a quality conveyancer that we could work with closely and in whom we had confidence."

  • Politicians can set the scene for greener housing

    26 Mar 2007

    Although the green emissions of politicians are little more than posturing at the moment, brokers must be aware of the eco-friendly mortgage options as their clients are increasingly likely to demand them, says Harvey Jones

  • PPI opportunity for distributors

    1 Apr 2007

    Mortgage distributors, by adapting like chameleons to the changing commercial environment in which they operate, have been able to ensure their survival in recent somewhat turbulent years.

  • Praxis adds igroup to panel

    26 Mar 2007

    Praxis has added igroup to its lending panel, taking the total number of lenders to 23. Dudley Aldous, sales and marketing director at Praxis, says: "We are excited about bringing igroup on board and being able to add its products to those we already offer."

  • Preferred unveils one-year fix

    26 Mar 2007

    Preferred has released a one-year fixed rate mortgage product. The new product has no extended tie-in and is available throughout all sub-prime levels with rates from 6.09%. It is available up to 90% LTV. Roger Taylor, director of sales and marketing at Preferred, says: "With no early repayment charge after the fixed period, this makes an ideal mortgage for those people who are working towards improving their credit profile. Borrowers who successfully manage their mortgage repayments ...

  • Premier Mortgage Service: Good advice is not an accident

    1 Apr 2007

    Last month I mentioned the four key findings from the Financial Services Authority's recent report on quality of advice processes in mortgage firms. Over the next few months, I intend to analyse each in detail.

  • Product with a secured future

    1 Apr 2007

    There can be no doubt that the future of the secured loans industry is as heavily reliant on the housing market as mortgages. However, what surprises me is how long it has taken for the mortgage industry to realise how close an ally the secured loan has become. In essence, the two share the same customer and while there are increasing signs of change, co-operation has been a long time in coming.

  • Professional Mortgage Packagers Alliance: Threats mean we can't sit back

    1 Apr 2007

    The mortgage distribution marketplace is subject to continually changing dynamics and, while we need to make sure that our businesses are profitable day by day, we also need to plan for the future. Part of this strategic planning should be assessing how growing issues in the marketplace may affect our own ability to trade profitably and grow our businesses. At the moment, I believe that one issue having the potential to change the dynamics of mortgage distribution significantly is that ...

  • Promise launch automated underwriting solution

    26 Mar 2007

    Promise Finance has launched Promise Solutions Network, an underwriting solution specifically aimed at the mortgage intermediary market.

  • Promotion for former office manager

    26 Mar 2007

    Oryen Mortgage Packagers has appointed former office manager Kelly Robinson as a new director of the company.

  • Prospect of base rate rise recedes

    26 Mar 2007

    It has been claimed that a base rate cut could be on the cards, despite creeping inflation.

  • Pundits dismiss equity contest

    26 Mar 2007

    The competition announced in Gordon Brown's Budget speech last week inviting the housing industry to come up with innovative shared equity products has been dismissed as "laughable" by industry pundits.

  • Putting forgotten money to good use

    26 Mar 2007

    Budget week is always busy - a number of long-awaited announcements seem to come at once. And last week was no exception. On top of the Lyons review into Council Tax reform there was a consultation on what to do with forgotten accounts in banks and societies.

  • Race is on for online integration

    1 Apr 2007

    The provision of online decision technology has been central to most lenders' e-commerce strategy for over 12 months and continues to be a key factor in future success. Any lender undertaking a technology review will hold enhanced functionality for intermediaries as one of their primary objectives. But there is now a subtle move of focus towards how these systems connect and integrate with lenders' major distribution partners.

  • RAMP looks for mid-sized firms

    1 Apr 2007

    The Regulatory Alliance of Mortgage Packagers announced this month that it will offer associate membership to 10 new mortgage distributors and packagers over the next year. The alliance, says it is keen to target mid-sized companies which are finding it hard to invest in systems and compliance but have aspirations to grow in a future regulated packaging market.

  • RAMP to offer associate membership to packagers

    28 Mar 2007

    RAMP is looking to offer associate membership to 10 new mortgage distributors and packagers over the next 12 months.

  • Range is targeted at professionals

    26 Mar 2007

    Bristol & West Mortgages has released a professional mortgage range with an expanded remit to include the likes of military officers.

  • RBSIP decision to sack packaagers will have'minimal impact' on business

    1 Apr 2007

    Mortgage packagers and distributors have reacted equivocally to the announcement by Royal Bank of Scotland Intermediary Partners that it will no longer accept mortgage cases from them.

  • Regulatory Alliance of Mortgage Packagers: Get fit before new playing field

    1 Apr 2007

    The topic of adding value to the packaging process, through the adoption of strong compliance practice is one which the Regulatory Alliance of Mortgage Packagers takes very seriously. With the growing speculation over whether packaging will be regulated, this practice has become an even more important topic for those packagers that have already recognised that the market is in a constant state of evolution and want to be part of that process of change.

  • Reita welcomes FSA clarification on REITs

    29 Mar 2007

    Reita, the promotional body for Real Estate Investment Trusts, has welcomed the Financial Services Authoritys clarification on the regulatory status of REITs.

  • Rental yields on the rise, says Hamptons International

    26 Mar 2007

    Rental costs have risen by up to 18% over the last year in London, Hamptons International reveals.

  • Retirement Plus to have authorised status

    28 Mar 2007

    As from April 6 2007 Retirement Plus will be authorised by the Financial Services Authority.It will be regulated as a provider, arranger and administrator of home reversion plans.

  • Reversions boom predicted

    26 Mar 2007

    Home reversion plans will take up to 10% of the equity release market within the next two years, says Bridgewater Equity Release.

  • Rightmove acquires majority stake in holidaylettings.co.uk

    28 Mar 2007

    Rightmove has acquired the majority stake in the leading holiday lettings business, holidaylettings.co.uk.

  • Rightmove offers free house with McDonalds

    28 Mar 2007

    Rightmove and McDonald’s are teaming up to offer the grand prize of a £240,000 house as part of the Bigger Win Monopoly promotion.

  • Rightmove sees 85% revenue growth

    26 Mar 2007

    Rightmove has announced revenue growth of 85% from £18.2m to £33.6m in preliminary results for its first full year after flotation.

  • Rightmove set to launch marketing campaign

    26 Mar 2007

    Rightmove is set to launch its second area-specific campaign aimed at home-movers buying, selling and renting in the London property market.

  • Roadshows on HIPs

    26 Mar 2007

    eConveyancer isrunning a series of roadshows to help brokers exploit the commercial opportunities of Home Information Packs. They will take place between April 18 and April 27 and eConveyancer will be using the opportunity to publicise its own HIPs offering, eHips.

  • Salt poised to spice up residential mortgage offerings in N Ireland

    1 Apr 2007

    Salt, the specialist lending arm of Derbyshire Building Society, is set to launch its suite of residential mortgage products in Northern Ireland.

  • Salter appoints East Anglia BDM

    26 Mar 2007

    Heritable has appointed Robert Salter as business development manager for East Anglia. He previously covered the region in the same role for Mortgage Times. Colin Stevens, residential lending director of Heritable, says: "By welcoming professionals like Salter, we are building on robust

  • Scarborough launches two-year fix

    26 Mar 2007

    Scarborough has launched a two-year fixed rate mortgage with a rate of 4.94% until May 30 2009.

  • Secured loans lose bad boy tag

    1 Apr 2007

    The second charge, or secured loan, market has been around for a very long time and in fact for many distributors, such as Solent Mortgage Services, it was and remains a primary source of revenue.

  • Secured loans offer a secure future

    26 Mar 2007

    This month's prize for stating the obvious must go to a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee who called for consumers to show more restraint in their spending to help curb inflation.

  • Self-cert leads way as market sees big rise in packaged cases

    1 Apr 2007

    The average number of mortgages being packaged has reached 170 a month, with self-certification mortgages leading the way in the number of cases being dealt with, according to research from The Mortgage Business.

  • Self-cert looks a dead cert

    1 Apr 2007

    The future for the self-cert market looks bright as the product becomes more mainstream - but brokers need to clean up their act, check affordability, and make sure self-certs are not simply used as a quick fix, writes Brian Murphy.he self-certification mortgage, like the rest of the market, has witnessed significant changes over the last couple of years following the regulation of mortgages from M-Day. But unlike the rest of the market, self-cert has had to break through a cloud of negativity .

  • Shocking programme on equity release

    26 Mar 2007

    I was under the impression it was safe to let my kids watch telly, at least until the 9pm watershed, without them coming across anything too undesirable.

  • Smart key for unlocking funds

    1 Apr 2007

    In 2006 the secured loans market found its place in a vast number of mortgage advisers' armouries when providing best advice to their clients. It is certain that this trend will escalate even further this year as the secured lending market becomes more and more mainstream.

  • Smooth the path to a HIP future

    26 Mar 2007

    Talk of a property boom and bust around the HIP implementation deadline is wide of the mark - we should instead be trying to smooth the transition for clients, says Chris Rodgers

  • Sorry seems to be the hardest word for the prophets of doom

    1 Apr 2007

    From Simon BiddleI'm not really into backslapping but there is so much packagers should be celebrating at the moment. Distribution muscle counting in the tens of billions of pounds and rising is no mean feat for starters.

  • Sound of two hands clapping

    1 Apr 2007

    Chris Cummingsdirector general,

  • Source used to obtain kfis

    1 Apr 2007

    missing text

  • Spanish property buyers warned

    26 Mar 2007

    Banco Halifax Hispania is urging Britons looking to buy properties in Spain to work with specialists who are aware of all the necessary rules and regulations. Recent changes in Spanish law mean British buyers must obtain an identification number for non-residents before completing their purchase.

  • Still no definition of a green mortgage

    26 Mar 2007

    Despite more lenders jumping on the green mortgage bandwagon after the Budget last week, there was still confusion surrounding what a green mortgage even is.

  • Sub-prime a mystery to most people

    26 Mar 2007

    Beacon Homeloans has called on the industry to educate consumers about the sub-prime market following findings that only 19% of consumers realise the market exists.

  • Sub-prime giant culls jobs

    26 Mar 2007

    Hurt by delinquent sub-prime loans, General Electric-owned WMC Mortgage has slashed 500 jobs - including most of is junior account executive sales force.

  • Sub-prime sneeze in US rings alarm

    1 Apr 2007

    It is a rather well-worn phrase that when the US sneezes Europe catches a cold but recent developments in the US sub-prime market could give some in the UK cause for concern, particularly given the similarities that exist between the two markets.

  • Surveyor wins session with England squad

    26 Mar 2007

    A chartered surveyor has won the chance to train with Wayne Rooney, Stephen Gerrard, John Terry and the other members of the England squad.

  • Tailoring deals to fit needs

    26 Mar 2007

    After quitting Purely Mortgages, Mark Chilton says he plans to offer more bespoke deals with Homeowner MortgagesMark Chilton, chief executive of new lender Homeowners Mortgages, has set his sights on the UK prime market, using technology and aggressive len-ding to sell less formulaic, bespoke prime mortgages.

  • Tax relief planned for Sharia-compliant deals

    26 Mar 2007

    Gordon Brown outlined plans in his Budget to clarify the taxation and tax relief possibilities for Sharia-compliant financial products.

  • Technology focus

    1 Apr 2007

    The way some companies are created is often a little different. But to virtually have agreed to form a company with someone you have only ever spoken to over the phone certainly ranks among one of the more unusual ways of doing things. That though is exactly what Roger Morris, managing director, and Simon Mouncher, operations director did at the start of 2001 when they created em-financial. At the time Mouncher had created a mortgage broker called Trident Mortgage Solutions, having worked ...

  • Technology is a partner but people still rule at Infinity

    26 Mar 2007

    Regarding your last issue's news report entitled 'New lender entrants slated', I found the piece not only a breathtaking generalisation but also unwarranted and way off the mark.

  • Technology to give lenders the edge

    26 Mar 2007

    In this market, firms need every advantage and communication-enabled business processes can help by reducing errors, speeding up processing and improving service levels, says Frank Eve

  • The Catholic launches two-year fix

    29 Mar 2007

    The Catholic has launched a two-year discounted mortgage product for house purchase and remortgages.

  • The Mortgage Mole

    26 Mar 2007

    No chance

  • The necessary evolution of packagers

    26 Mar 2007

    The arrival of statutory mortgage regulation heralded the beginning of industry-wide predictions that packagers were eventually going to be a thing of the past. As I have written before, this has proved not to be the case. Many packagers, including us, have continued to be in demand and almost a necessity with our brokers.

  • The United Packagers Association: Simple steps to the grand plan

    1 Apr 2007

    I spoke last month about the 'orgy' of company rebranding that has taken hold in the marketplace of late, with the craze for devising an ever increasing catalogue of confusing terminology for what takes place in the mortgage world, or at least what many want brokers to think they do. Or maybe it's just to ensure no one knows what's going on. The hazy marketing that we're all guilty of from time to time should not cloud our vision from the simple principles that can make a significant difference

  • There are still grey areas when it comes to adverts

    26 Mar 2007

    Your letter-writing contributor Simon Robins (Mortgage Strategy March 12) may be comforted to know that one of our advisers recently placed an advert in a local Midlands newspaper and we subsequently received notification from the Financial Services Authority that it required some tweaking to make it compliant.

  • This Week's Dilemma

    26 Mar 2007

    I am in my mid-30s and hold a senior role in a large international financial services institution. I have recently been offered the chance to apply for a senior job but it will mean moving my family to the US for some time. Meanwhile, some entrepreneurial contacts of mine are starting up at new UK business and they want me to become managing director. Should I stay in the comfort zone of my firm or take the risk and enjoy controlling a new venture?

  • Time to focus on learning about HIPs

    26 Mar 2007

    I know that someone out there reads my column. How? Last week, I got an email from a reader that took me by surprise. In fact, I was so surprised that I deleted the email, losing the person's name and details. So if you recognise the question below as being yours, please accept my apologies for not replying directly.

  • Title Deed - Godiva Mortgages

    26 Mar 2007

    Godiva Mortgages is the newly launched specialist lending subsidiary of Coventry and the idea behind its name came from its home city.

  • Tools of the trade

    26 Mar 2007

    There is increased interest in self-build mortgages so brokers must have knowledge about the sector at their fingertips, says Vicki Charles

  • Tory move to put mutuals on a more equal footing

    26 Mar 2007

    A Conservative parliamentary backbencher is petitioning for a change to funding limits legislation that currently hampers societies' mortgage lending potential if the market changes.

  • Types of mortgages arranged and proportion of business they account for

    1 Apr 2007

    all intermediary business. Moreover, over half of all remortgages consisted of borrowers releasing additional equity from their homes, suggesting distributors received a significant proportion of this business. Remortgaging consistently accounted for between 42% and 46% of all intermediary and distributor business in the 12 months to Q2 2006.

  • UCB cuts rates across self-cert and full status range

    27 Mar 2007

    UCB Home Loans is to cut 0.15% from its range of residential self-cert and full status fixed rate Mortgages from March 29.

  • UCB gets into sub-prime

    26 Mar 2007

    UCB Homeloans launched into the sub-prime market last week with a range of light adverse credit loans.

  • UCB links up with environmental charities

    28 Mar 2007

    UCB Home Loans has linked up with two charities which focus on issues related to global warming.

  • UK lenders can ride the US sub-prime storm

    26 Mar 2007

    I've mentioned the US sub-prime situation in passing several times in recent weeks, and have dismissed it as a relatively minor threat to the UK industry. Some people have recently asked me to justify that, so here goes.

  • UK second most profitable country for BTL, says Assetz

    30 Mar 2007

    The UK is the second most profitable country for buy-to-let investors, the latest figures from the Assetz property investment tracker show. The tracker, which records the buying costs, rental yields and capital growth for 14 key investment destinations, shows Poland in first place with a total 165% return on cash investment.

  • Unity launches BTL portfolio

    27 Mar 2007

    Unity Homeloans has launched a prime buy-to-let portfolio.

  • Up to six estate agents are banned each year

    26 Mar 2007

    The Office of Fair Trading has revealed that it bans up to six estate agents per year from selling houses as a result of them being found guilty of criminal offences.

  • Vertex acquired by US consortium

    29 Mar 2007

    Vertex has been acquired from United Utilities by a consortium of three leading US investment firms, Oak Hill Capital Partners, GenNx360 Capital Partners and Knox Lawrence International.

  • Welfare shake-up may boost the B2L market

    26 Mar 2007

    Historically, properties let to tenants claiming welfare have been seen by lenders as risky business and many excluded such tenancies in their terms and conditions.

  • West Brom appoints head of branches

    28 Mar 2007

    West Bromwich has appointed Phil Ryan as head of its 48-branch network.

  • When words are not just wind

    1 Apr 2007

    Last year, mortgage brokers targeting sub-prime borrowers came in for criticism from the Financial Services Authority which told around 200 firms to withdraw or amend misleading advertising.

  • Whitechurch cuts its member fees

    26 Mar 2007

    The Whitechurch Network has slashed its member fees and says its appointed representatives will now be able to pocket an extra 2,500 in commission.

  • Wimpey and Woodrow to merge

    26 Mar 2007

    Taylor Woodrow and George Wimpey have agreed to merge to create the UKs largest housebuilding group with annual revenues of over 6.7bn.

  • Wimpey launches property club

    26 Mar 2007

    George Wimpey has launched a Property Investor Club for professional investors and members of the public, to offer exclusive access to new developments before they are put on general release. There will also be help and guidance on building and managing a property portfolio and financial benefits and savings.

  • Would you trust a virtual adviser to arrange your mortgage?

    26 Mar 2007

    Last week, Purely Mortgages signed a deal with ITV to launch an online mortgage service through broadband TV. The service will use video to help advise customers on products just as Purely presently uses several animated characters on its website to detail its reange of products.So this week Mortgage Strategy asks: Would you trust a virtual adviser to arrange your mortgage?

  • Yorkshire launches conveyancing and sharedealing service

    28 Mar 2007

    Yorkshire has launched a conveyancing service and sharedealing service via its website.

  • You must prove you really care

    1 Apr 2007

    With several weeks now past since the Financial Services Authority's deadline for embedding treating customers fairly principles, has the culture of your business changed? Can you prove it?

  • Youngsters buy the idea of a happy home

    26 Mar 2007

    The desire to own property has reached a record high level among young people.

  • Youngsters go in for B2L

    26 Mar 2007

    Mortgage Trust has revealed that a growing number of young people are choosing to become buy-to-let landlords.

  • Yousefi leaves A&L for Freedom

    26 Mar 2007

    Mehrdad Yousefi has quit as Alliance & Leicester's head of intermediary mortgages, allegedly to join Merrill Lynch.

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