Mortgage Strategy
28 January 2008

  • £7.7bn in UK loans borrowed on the sly

    30 Jan 2008

    Britons are secretely borrowing an estimated £7.7bn a year in unsecured loans.

  • 2,000 brokers sign up to BM conveyancing site

    30 Jan 2008

    Nearly 2,000 brokers have signed up to BM Solutions' conveyancing website since its relaunch in September 2007. The conveyancing tool allows brokers to refer their clients to solicitors, making their selection based on price, location or client rating.

  • A&L cuts rates on fixed products

    28 Jan 2008

    Alliance & Leicester has decreased rates on its two, three and five-year residential and buy-to-let fixed rate deals. It has also unveiled a residential two-year base rate tracker at 5.94% with a 1% fee and no early redemption charges.

  • A&L loses 185m on treasury investments

    1 Feb 2008

    Alliance & Leicester has revealed treasury investment losses of 185m for 2007. They had reached 55m by the end of October, but had increased by 130m by 31 December last year.

  • A&L reveals £185m losses

    29 Jan 2008

    Alliance & Leicester has revealed treasury investment losses of £185m for 2007.

  • Adam Tyler: Time for a commercial break

    1 Feb 2008

    Residential mortgage brokers under pressure to find new revenue streams to survive could find that turning a hand to commercial mortgages may give them the boost they need. And NACFB has planned seminars to help new entrants to the market find their way around

  • Adding some income insurance

    1 Feb 2008

    There was more good news for the commercial market in 2007 with independent market analyst Datamonitor predicting the UK commercial general insurance market will exceed the value achieved by the personal general insurance market between 2007 and 2012.

  • Adverse thought

    28 Jan 2008

    The sub-prime sector wants a return to pre-credit crunch normality but looking at the psychology of the market, defining normal is no easy task, says Paul Fisher

  • AIFA calls for tripling of IFA numbers

    28 Jan 2008

    The Association of Independent Financial Advisers has called for a trebling in the number of financial advisers in order to tackle consumer debt.

  • AIFA launches manifesto for advice

    28 Jan 2008

    The Association of Independent Financial Advisers has launched a code of practice in the form of a Manifesto for Advice.

  • Alliance & Leicester credit rating on the line

    31 Jan 2008

    Alliance & Leicester’s credit rating is being closely monitored as it struggles to secure funding.

  • American tactics rattle rivals

    1 Feb 2008

    Interbay is out to simplify the handling of self-cert commercial mortgages to make it as similar to residential mortgage transactions as possible, writes Natalie Martin. But the lender's introduction of concepts from its birthplace across the Pond isn't endearing it to UK competitors

  • AMI bid to attract new lenders

    30 Jan 2008

    The Association of Mortgage lntermediaries is preparing a conference to attract new lenders into the UK market.

  • Andy Moody: Let's be optimistic, not na

    1 Feb 2008

    The cyclical nature of the lending market means that having gone through a boom period we are entering a time of uncertainty. But lending will resume after this period of consolidation. Even so, we must not fool ourselves that things will be the same as before the credit crisis

  • Approvals drop 38%, says BBA

    28 Jan 2008

    Residential mortgage approvals were down 38% year-on-year in December at 42,088, data from the British Bankers' Association reveal. This is the lowest figure since 1997.2006: Online lead auction site Mortgagebundles.com is accused of selling borrowers fool's gold2005: GMAC-RFC issues a confidential blacklist of 41 brokers and brokerages2004: Birmingham Midshires shifts its focus to brokers and halts sales through its retail network2003:MCCB launches an enforcement regime of random checks ...

  • Approvals fell in December

    28 Jan 2008

    Residential mortgage approvals dropped to 66,000 in December, a report from Connellsreveals.

  • Are residential mortgage brokers capable of advising on commercial deals?

    1 Feb 2008

    Residential mortgage brokers may find the commercial property market has similarities with their sector. But as commercial deals are more complicated, new entrants could find it useful to partner with a specialist

  • AToM adds to lending panel

    28 Jan 2008

    All Types of Mortgages has added GE Money Home Lending's igroup range to its lender panel. AToM says January has been a good month for the firm, with enquiry numbers remaining strong.

  • AToM hosts packager seminar

    30 Jan 2008

    All Types of Mortgages is set to host a seminar to educate brokers on the opportunities offered by satellite packaging.

  • Atom's new range

    1 Feb 2008

    All Types of Mortgages is launching a new secured lending product range and giving brokers the chance to earn an extra 10% on proc fees.

  • AVMs as useful as chocolate teapots

    28 Jan 2008

    Automated valuation models are blind to developers' incentives and the standard of property alterations, which makes them fatally flawed and risky, says Simon White

  • B&B boss confirmed as CML chairman

    31 Jan 2008

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has appointed Steven Crawshaw, group chief executive of Bradford & Bingley as chairman for 2008.

  • B2L specialist links up with Goldsmith Williams

    28 Jan 2008

    Goldsmith Williams has been chosen by Mortgages for Business to be the buy-to-let specialist's legal partner.

  • Barclays deemed hypocritical for bypassing brokers

    1 Feb 2008

    Barclays has been accused of hypocrisy over the launch of its new consumer secured lender Fair & Square.

  • Barclays launches secured lender

    1 Feb 2008

    January saw the launch of a new secured lending company, Fair & Square.

  • Base takes off in 2008

    1 Feb 2008

    Base Commercial Mortgages, the special commercial mortgage lender, reports that it has got off to a flying start in 2008, having received more than 400m worth of new enquiries since its launch in August last year.

  • Beware 'double jobbing' mortgage brokers, property investors warned

    1 Feb 2008

    Property investors in the Irish Republic have been warned to be wary of mortgage brokers who also act as estate agents.

  • Blemain Group limits loans to £50,000

    28 Jan 2008

    Blemain Group has followed in the footsteps of other secured loan lenders and restricted its maximum secured loan size to £50,000.

  • Bodily functions

    1 Feb 2008

    Industry bodies FISA and AFB have been battling for the attention of players in the secured loans sector for months but the time has come for each to find a distinctive role so brokers can be clear about the differences between the two and both can add value as the sector faces challenging times, says Natalie Martin

  • BoS mortgages appoints head of sales

    30 Jan 2008

    Bank of Scotland mortgages has appointed Maria Harris as head of sales.Harris will lead the field-based sales team and the telephone business development team. She joins at the start of February from Halifax Intermediaries where she was a regional manager for the North, Northern Ireland and Scotland. In her new role she will be reporting to Peter Curran, head of distribution for Bank of Scotland mortgages

  • Bright Finance expands team

    29 Jan 2008

    Master broker Bright Finance has appointed three new staff to its sales and marketing teams.

  • Britons emigrating in record numbers

    31 Jan 2008

    The destinations may be changing but Britons continue to emigrate in record numbers, a study has shown.

  • Brits spent more than they earned in 2007

    28 Jan 2008

    One in 10 Brits spend beyond their means, data from the Office for Na-tional Statistics reveals.

  • Brodie takes up HML challenge

    1 Feb 2008

    Finding someone to replace Steve Heggarty at HML is proving difficult. Mark Smith, ex Barclays, lasted a year as managing director and now the 'chalice' has been accepted by RBS man Brian Brodie who relishes the challenge

  • Brokerages could feel the supermarket effect

    28 Jan 2008

    John Charcol's decision to go fees-free for telephone-based mortgage advice is great news for consumers and a welcome move in the current market climate.

  • Brokers boost trade at LeadPoint UK

    28 Jan 2008

    LeadPoint UK says it is now trading 1,000 leads per day as a result of increased efficiency at brokerages.

  • Brokers face hike in fees as FSA steps up scrutiny

    28 Jan 2008

    Small brokers could see an extra £100 a year slapped onto their regulatory fees as a result of increased Financial Services Authority supervision.

  • Brokers moving into PPI arena

    1 Feb 2008

    A power shift has started to take place in the secured loan market, and brokers are slowly realising that lenders are not the only ones who can pull the strings.

  • Brokers must act fast to get the best deals

    28 Jan 2008

    Good news at last - or at least, that's the way it seemed at first.

  • Brokers must ignore PPI scare stories and protect clients

    28 Jan 2008

    The national press did not hesitate to jump on the news that the Financial Services Authority has fined HFC Bank over £1m for failing to take reasonable care over the advice it gave to customers on payment protection insurance products.

  • Brokers must put prejudices aside

    28 Jan 2008

    For too long secured loans have been seen as the final resort for clients struggling with debt who have exhausted all other options.

  • Brokers urged to go commercial

    28 Jan 2008

    Brokers are being urged to consider the commercial property market as an alternative source of income despite turmoil in the sector.

  • Burgess banned

    28 Jan 2008

    Mole had a problem re-ceiving a set of photo-graphs of Simon Burgess, taken to mark the sale of his company Britishinsurance.com to Towergate last week. The pictures kept showing up in Mole's email inbox as banned attachments.

  • C&G BDM came through when the going got tough

    28 Jan 2008

    Anyone who has used Cheltenham & Gloucester since it embraced centralised lending will have experienced poor service.

  • C&G starts to turn its service around

    28 Jan 2008

    I've been complaining about the delays to three of my cases with Cheltenham & Gloucester since before Christmas but finally the logjam is starting to break, says Sue Read

  • Cable calls for heads to roll at FSA

    30 Jan 2008

    Shadow Liberal Democrat chancellor Vince Cable has called for heads to roll at the Financial Services Authority over Northern Rock.

  • Can letting agents justify charging renewal fees for existing tenant contracts?

    28 Jan 2008

    Our experts are split this week. One believes the fees must be scrapped while the other says they are a vital financial incentive to encourage renewals

  • Cash in on Law Society campaign

    28 Jan 2008

    Just when you thought it was safe to pick up a magazine without reading about Home Information Packs, here they come again. There's been a rush of pro and anti-HIP propaganda over the past few weeks.

  • Cause for concern but not alarm

    1 Feb 2008

    The possessions outlook is not as bleak as pundits have been predicting ahead of the CML figures for 2007, due out this month. Moore Blatch's Paul Walshe analyses the legal firm's recent survey of lender sentiment.

  • CBI and PwC may have made wrong diagnosis on health of societies

    1 Feb 2008

    The two-year run of strong growth in financial services went into reverse over the past three months, as business volumes in the sector fell at their fastest rate since March 1991 - this is according the quarterly Financial Services Survey from the CBI and PricewaterhouseCoopers published last month.

  • Chancellor to unveil banking reform

    28 Jan 2008

    The chancellor will reveal on Wednesday measures to toughen up banking supervision in the UK.

  • Changing credit rules give lenders a chance to shine

    1 Feb 2008

    Geraint Chamberlain, senior business consultant at Target, flags up the challenges and opportunities that face lenders as they prepare for the new-look Consumer Credit Act which comes into force in April

  • Cheval receives 25m credit boost from Landsbanki

    1 Feb 2008

    Cheval Finance has received a boost with a 25m credit facility from Landsbanki Commercial Finance, a global asset-based lender and leveraged finance provider.

  • CHL bucks trend with good December figures

    28 Jan 2008

    CHL Mortgages last week unveiled lending volumes of £186m in December, showing year-on-year growth of 24%.

  • CHL defends its approach to new-build valuations

    28 Jan 2008

    CHL Mortgages has hit back at accusations that its policy of valuing new-build properties against second-hand homes is failing to treat customers fairly.

  • CHL expands to Isle of Wight

    28 Jan 2008

    Specialist lender CHL Mortgages plans to expand its lending to properties in the Isle of Wight.

  • CHL launches on Isle of Wight

    28 Jan 2008

    CHL Mortgages says it will now lend on properties in the Isle of Wight.

  • Church debt Service

    1 Feb 2008

    The Church of England is answering the prayers of millions of people struggling with post Christmas debt by offering a debt advice service.

  • Clients told to vet solicitors on online register

    28 Jan 2008

    Goldsmith Willi-ams' partner Eddie Goldsmith urges clients to check their solicitors for past malpractice.

  • Commercial 1 founders expand into secured loans

    1 Feb 2008

    Commercial and bridging packager Commercial 1 is to launch a specialist secured loan arm in spring 2008.

  • Commercial breaks still abound

    1 Feb 2008

    Julien Holmes, managing director of Crown Mortgage Management, takes a broad view of what is happening in the commercial mortgage market which hasn't been immune to what has been happening in the wider economy

  • Commercial deals get LIBOR fillip

    28 Jan 2008

    Base Commercial Mortgages says that recent reductions in LIBOR are good news for borrowers seeking commercial mortgages.

  • Commercial deals tipped for big year

    28 Jan 2008

    Base Commercial Mortgages has tipped commercial brokers to prosper in 2008 as firms seek professional help in response to stricter lending criteria.

  • Commercial funds run out of money

    28 Jan 2008

    Property has been one of the big investment winners in recent years. Many clients are relying on their homes to fund their pensions and lots of amateurs have become buy-to-let landlords.

  • Comparison sites want rule revamp

    28 Jan 2008

    Price comparison websites would welcome a regulatory overhaul by the Financial Services Authority.

  • Complete adds to underwriting team

    28 Jan 2008

    Complete Mortgage and Loan Services is offering brokers access to onsite underwriters from Advantage. They will sit alongside existing underwriters from Platform, The Mortgage Business, The Mortgage Works, GMAC-RFC, Wave, CHL Mortgages and Rooftop Mortgages.

  • Confidence in property dives

    1 Feb 2008

    Confidence in commercial property among surveyors, lawyers and other professionals has fallen from 91% to 58% over the past year, a report by financial services group Smith & Williamson.

  • Conveyancer offers text updates

    28 Jan 2008

    Hammondsdirect has launched a text service for its conveyancing clients. The service, provided by Avanquest Solutions, will help the firm keep its clients up-to-date with developments in the house buying process, such as completion dates.

  • Conveyancing is stuck in the dark ages

    28 Jan 2008

    I was interested to read the views of Tom Gardiner in Mortgage Strategy (Letters January 14). Gardiner was clearly frustrated by the legal profession and conveyancers in particular, so I decided to give him a call.

  • Cost of buying a home rose 351% in 12 years

    30 Jan 2008

    The cost of becoming a home buyer in Great Britain has worsened by 351% since the most accessible point in 1996.

  • Council gives £16,000 to first home buyers

    1 Feb 2008

    A London council has launched a controversial scheme to give middle-income residents as much as £16,000 to help get them on the housing ladder.

  • Countrywide chief refuses $37.5m

    29 Jan 2008

    Angelo Mozillo, chief executive of Countrywide, America’s largest mortgage lender, has declined $37.5m owed to him by the bank.

  • County Armagh sees fastest house price hike

    31 Jan 2008

    County Armagh has seen the fastest house price growth in the UK, totalling 331% during the past 10 years, says the Halifax County House Price Survey.

  • Court order on data

    1 Feb 2008

    y3sloans.com has secured an important High Court judgement against a former business systems analyst who had abused his access to the company's IT systems and taken copies of databases before leaving the company.

  • CurriculumVitae: Paul Holden

    28 Jan 2008

    "Snowboarding is best left to teenagers. If you're over 30 it's best to stick to skis"

  • Customers pick the lenders that truly deliver on service

    1 Feb 2008

    The Dorchester hotel in London was the venue for our Lending Excellence (LEX) Awards lunch on 5 February when the views of more than 8

  • Dalziel wants Dunfermline to keep strong, home and away

    1 Feb 2008

    We kick off the Lending Strategy year with a trip to Scotland and an interview with Graeme Dalziel, chief executive of Dunfermline Building Society. A proud Scot to the core, Dalziel highlights the difference that being a native can make to a brand and its market position

  • Damaged safety net may let investors down

    28 Jan 2008

    Keep your eye on bond insurers. If they go down, the rest of the US mortgage market will follow and you can have your colonies back - all 50 of us and the District of Columbia too. Well, maybe we'll keep Hawaii.

  • Darling deflects Rock criticism with consultation

    1 Feb 2008

    Chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling took his first step to address the liquidity crisis and the Northern Rock debacle when, on 30 January, he launched a consultation document on financial stability which represents.

  • Darling sets Budget date

    31 Jan 2008

    The chancellor Alistair Darling will make his Budget speech to the House of Commons on March 12 at 12.30pm.The speech is expected to reveal final details of the Capital Gains Tax changes, which include a concessionary fee of 10% for small business owners, on the first £1m they make through capital gains.All other businesses will pay a flat rate fee of 18%.

  • Dear Delia...

    28 Jan 2008

    Dear Delia Richard is 31 and works as a freelance special effects consultant. His work is lucrative but his contracts can be sporadic. He also has a trust fund, share interests and receives the occasional bonus. He recently had an offer of £407,000 accepted on a flat in Putney but doesn't have a mortgage in place yet. He has a deposit of £90,000 and last year his gross income was £130,000. What are his options?

  • Debt becomes a praying matter

    1 Feb 2008

    Readers involved in the difficult area of collections and foreclosure may be feel fortified to learn that the Church of England has a prayer for you.

  • Demand better service, says SLS

    28 Jan 2008

    Secured Loan Services has advised brokers to re-evaluate their relationship with lenders as competition intensifies in 2008. The secured lending specialist says that with volumes declining, lenders are scrambling to hit their targets. As a result brokers can demand the best service from them.

  • Derbyshire appoints ex-cricket pro as BDM

    28 Jan 2008

    Derbyshire has appointed former professional cricketer Mark Gouldstone as a BDM.

  • Derbyshire CEO retires early

    30 Jan 2008

    Derbyshire's chief executive Peter Richardson has revealed he is to retire early from his role.

  • Derbyshire stays cool despite ratings warning

    28 Jan 2008

    The Derbyshire has downplayed the decision by Moody's to put it on review for a potential downgrade and insists its growth plans remain intact.

  • Director-general of IIB dies

    28 Jan 2008

    Andrew Paddick, director-general of the Institute of Insurance Brokers, died last week following a bout of influenza.

  • Dudgeon's exit at DB Mortgages causes concern

    1 Feb 2008

    Bill Dudgeon, managing director of DB Mortgages in the UK, has been made redundant, along with some 300 workers at the global markets division of DB Mortgages parent Deutsche Bank.

  • Easier2Move boosts broker conveyancing fee

    29 Jan 2008

    Easier2Move will increase its conveyancing fees for brokers by 50% for remortgage introductions from now until February 21. The online conveyancer says the offer gives advisers the chance to earn a referral fee of £150 for every conveyancing lead on remortgages introduced within this period.

  • EC changes credit rules but no mortgage reform

    1 Feb 2008

    While MEPs have voted for a new Consumer Credit Directive so consumers can compare loan terms from lenders in any European country, the European Commission has opted not to propose a new directive to regulate mortgage credit for now.

  • Efficiency key to secured loans survival

    28 Jan 2008

    Streamlined brokerages with motivated staff are likely to survive despite market conditions in the secured loans sector and a number of forthcoming regulatory hurdles, says Rob Ridge

  • Equity release expected to grow in 2008

    28 Jan 2008

    We recently undertook a survey of the equity re-lease market, and some of our findings provide food for thought.

  • EXPO BELFAST: 26% of B2L landlords out of pocket

    30 Jan 2008

    A leading academic in Northern Ireland has claimed that some 26% of buy-to-let landlords in the region are losing money as a result of the purchase.

  • EXPO BELFAST: 50% drop in NI FTBs since 2001

    30 Jan 2008

    The number of first-time buyers entering the housing market in Northern Ireland has plummeted 50% since 2001.

  • EXPO BELFAST: First NI debt firm launched

    30 Jan 2008

    Refresh Debt Services has officially launched in Northern Ireland, becoming the first debt management firm in the province.

  • EXPO BELFAST: SLS unveils website

    30 Jan 2008

    Secured Loans Solutions has launched its new online image at Mortgage Business Expo Northern Ireland.

  • Failing banks may get covert loans

    30 Jan 2008

    Any UK bank that begins to fail may in future be eligible for a covert loan from the Bank of England.

  • Fair play

    28 Jan 2008

    The time for stalling and excuses is over and firms must be prepared to meet the March deadline for the implementation of the Treating Customers Fairly initiative or face the wrath of the regulator, says Harvey Jones

  • FCC Paragon signs up to Callcredit's CallML

    1 Feb 2008

    FCC Paragon is to adopt Callcredit’s electronic proof-of-residency checking technology, CallML.

  • Fed slashes rate by 0.5% to 3%

    31 Jan 2008

    For the second time in two weeks the US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates again, reducing it by a further 0.5% to 3%.

  • Financial sector faces more losses

    28 Jan 2008

    Financial firms across the globe are facing further losses this year which could add up to 152bn, a report by consultancy firm Oliver Wyman claims. In its annual State of the financial services industry report, the firm says companies will face US sub-prime-related losses of $300bn before the crisis is over. The report states: "We expect a stormy 2008. While governments, central banks and regulators scramble to address the aftermath of the sub-prime fallout, several other crises are ...

  • Firms shouldn't be judged by outdated industry standards

    1 Feb 2008

    Chris Cummings, director general of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, says the trade body's Stakes in the Ground project could reduce the danger of poor regulatory decisions

  • FISA and AFB clash over roles

    1 Feb 2008

    The Finance Industry Standards Association has been the subject of much criticism of late, not only by its members but also by the Association of Finance Brokers.

  • FISA board 'brought shame on PPI'

    1 Feb 2008

    Everyone who sat on the board of the Finance Industry Standards Association over the last four years should resign over the shame they have brought the industry over payment protection insurance, says Robert Sinclair, director at the Association of Finance Brokers.

  • Fitch kicks off RMBS conference series

    28 Jan 2008

    Fitch Ratings will host its annual global non-conforming residential mortgage-backed securities conferences between February 8 and 14 in London, Dublin, Paris and Frankfurt.

  • Fixed-rate option

    1 Feb 2008

    Trustguard has teamed with Future to launch a fixed-rate secured loan, offering rates from 7.89%, that targets prime to medium-adverse borrowers looking for a competitive alternative to a remortgage.

  • Focus appoints three directors

    28 Jan 2008

    Focus Solutions Group has appointed Dave Upton as financial services product director, Stuart Finnes as bancassurance director and Mark Walker-Smith as customer services director.

  • Franchising future for satellite firms

    28 Jan 2008

    Not so long ago packagers handed out satellite agreements like they were going out of fashion. Lenders appreciated the extra distribution, satellite firms benefitted from proc fees and packagers enjoyed a wider reach.

  • Fraud update

    1 Feb 2008

    - Cheshire Building Society was successful in its legal claim against professional advisers in relation to an external fraud that took place in 2005. The judge in the case handed down a summary judgement in deceit against property valuer Dunlop Haywards Limited and ordered the firm to make an interim payment of £10m to the society.

  • Friends Prov sell-off will not include Sesame

    31 Jan 2008

    Friends Provident has decided to sell off F&C Asset Management, Lombard and Pantheon Financial businesses, but retain the Sesame network. The move was announced as part of a strategic review of the business which will see a renewed focus on life and pensions rather than wealth management.

  • Friends Provident to cut 600 jobs

    1 Feb 2008

    Friends Provident has revealed it will cut 600 jobs over the next two years as part of cost-cutting measures unveiled in its strategic review.A spokeswoman for the life insurer says not all of the job cuts will be redundancies, as there will be natural staff turnover will some departing staff not being replaced.The measures are part of FP’s strategy to reduce its cost base by £40m by 2009.

  • FSA and Brown are the top NR culprits

    28 Jan 2008

    Of all the parties that played their part in the downfall of the once-great Northern Rock, the Financial Services Authority has remained relatively free of blame. Until now.

  • FSA bans director over mortgage endowments

    30 Jan 2008

    The Financial Services Authority has banned Jonathan Leigh Hardie from holding a senior management position for mishandling mortgage endowment complaints.

  • FSA blocks broker directorship

    28 Jan 2008

    A broker has been refused permission to become the director of an appointed representative firm within The Mortgage Times Group. A Financial Services Authority statement says William Anthony Clough does not satisfy the Financial Services and Markets Act's honesty, integrity and reputation criteria. Clough is now registered as inactive on the FSA website. Payam Azadi, head of marketing at Mortgage Times, says: "After reference checks by the regulator and us, we decided Clough was unsuitable ...

  • FSA dismisses firm fee rumours

    30 Jan 2008

    The Financial Services Authority has dismissed claims that it will raise firm fees by 25% to fund its TCF implementation initiative.

  • FSA small firms manager quits for Capita

    30 Jan 2008

    Dominic Clarke, a manager of the Financial Services Authority's small firms division, is leaving to join Capita.

  • FSA warns of risks in economic downturn

    29 Jan 2008

    The Financial Services Authority has warned firms and consumers about the risks inherent to the current economic turbulence in its Financial Risk Outlook.

  • GE Money appoints sales director

    31 Jan 2008

    GE Money Home Lending has appointed Mark Harrison to the newly created position of sales director for its credit broker channel.

  • Get in clients' good books with exit fee repayments

    28 Jan 2008

    As brokers we find ourselves in the enviable position of being able to offer our remortgage clients something for nothing.

  • Gloomy start to new year as Irish banks hike rates

    1 Feb 2008

    It has been a less than happy start to the new year for Irish homeowners, with house prices plummeting and mortgage rates rising.

  • Gordon's gongs go to lenders

    1 Feb 2008

    Last year no one in the mortgage business received a gong in the Queen's New Year Honours but this year we are pleased to report that Gordon Brown has done us proud with CBEs to John Tiner, former managing director of the Financial Services Authority, Philip Williamson, former chief executive of Nationwide Building Society, and Dr Brian Woods-Scawen, chairman of West Bromwich Building Society.

  • Hack aims to help boozy brokers

    28 Jan 2008

    A financial journalist has published a book that could help brokers battle their drink problems.

  • Heritable Bank reveals new distribution deals

    29 Jan 2008

    Heritable Bank has today revealed distribution deals with Mortgage Times Group and Investment Mortgage Processing.

  • Heritable Bank's pre-tax profits up 59%

    1 Feb 2008

    Heritable Bank’s annual results have revealed a 59% increase in pre-tax profits from 2006. The UK specialist subsidiary of Landsbanki Islands has also unveiled a 43% increase in total assets bringing the firm’s holdings up to £1.25bn.

  • HFC fined 1m over PPI sales

    1 Feb 2008

    The Financial Services Authority has slapped a 1.1m fine on HFC Bank for improperly selling payment protection insurance.

  • Hope for brokers in commercial sector

    28 Jan 2008

    The commercial mortgage market is showing signs that it will be hit by large investment firms announcing bigger losses than expected.

  • House prices slide 0.3% in January

    28 Jan 2008

    House prices fell 0.3% in January, data for the month so far from Hometrack has revealed.

  • Household emissions down 1.6% in UK

    1 Feb 2008

    Residential greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 1.6% bringing the UK’s overall emissions down 0.5% in 2006.

  • How Basel II will help lenders in mortgage market downturn

    1 Feb 2008

    Gary Styles, strategy, risk and economics director, Hometrack, makes sense of Basel II in the wake of the liquidity crisis at Northern Rock - one of the first mortgage lenders to be granted a Basel II waiver by the FSA

  • How dirty data debilitated US secondary mortgage market

    1 Feb 2008

    Reckless lending may have triggered the US sub-prime crisis but in his letter from America, Craig Focardi suggests that the contagion that spread to the secondary markets might have been exacerbated by a backroom problem - dirty data

  • How energy-efficient do you think you are?

    28 Jan 2008

    Interest in the energy efficiency of properties is gathering momentum following the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates, so it's time to find out how green consumers are. So, this week Mortgage Strategy asks…

  • Hutchinson quits as CEO of Kensington

    1 Feb 2008

    Alison Hutchinson has today quit as chief executive officer of Kensington Group.

  • Ignoring money laundering rules could even mean jail

    1 Feb 2008

    The newly-enforced money laundering regulations contain key differences to our existing regime, and it is well worth checking your compliance to avoid potential pitfalls

  • IMLA accuses FSA of bordering on irresponsibility

    1 Feb 2008

    The Financial Services Authority is being urged to reconsider its Retail Distribution Review for the investment market.

  • IMLA offers a realistic view of today's mortgage market

    28 Jan 2008

    In his article in the January 14 issue of Mortgage Strategy, Nick Baxter asked the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association to tell the truth regarding the market in 2008.

  • Independent lenders play a vital role

    28 Jan 2008

    A recent report from The Office of National Statistics reveals that retail sales unexpectedly fell in December, dropping 0.4% compared with November. It says retailers had their worst December for 13 years. Marks & Spencer was one of the worst hit firms, with sales falling 2.2% in the last three months of 2007.

  • Industry backs 10% CGT for small firms

    28 Jan 2008

    Chancellor Alistair Darling's U-turn on Capital Gains Tax relief for small firms has been welcomed by leading industry players.

  • Industry must do more to promote positive image

    1 Feb 2008

    Working day to day in the secured loan market it is often easy to forget the way the market is perceived by the outside world, or even by others in the broker community. I was reminded of this lately when I asked one mortgage broker if he offered secured loans. He said he had done one a couple of weeks ago but the rates were often around 9%, which he felt were too high.

  • InterBay quashes rumours of higher fees to push product

    1 Feb 2008

    InterBay Commercial has written to its brokers setting the record straight over rumours that it was offering higher commissions to those promoting its interest guarantee.

  • Interesting times we live in

    1 Feb 2008

    Writing post Black Monday, David Smith, economics editor of the Sunday Times, offers a non-hysterical analysis of the economy and where the mortage and housing markets might be heading

  • It's all salt

    1 Feb 2008

    Derbyshire is moving all intermediary mortgage business into one channel under the Salt brand.

  • IVA protocol agreed

    29 Jan 2008

    A voluntary code of conduct has been agreed today with theorganisations and bodies involved in managing and agreeing individualvoluntary arrangements.

  • John Parker - CEO - Finance Industry

    1 Feb 2008

    John Parker is the chief executive of the Finance Industry Standards Association

  • Julian Well

    28 Jan 2008

    Mole was re-lieved to note the safe return of former Mortgages PLC head of marketing Julian Wells last week, when he visited Strategy HQ to say hello.

  • Just Retirement launches equity release website

    1 Feb 2008

    Just Retirement has launched a website dedicated to equity release.

  • Kay moves to CHL

    1 Feb 2008

    Commercial lending specialist CHL Commercial has appointed a new commercial business development manager.

  • Kinleigh link boosts service

    28 Jan 2008

    Kinleigh Financial Services has linked up with Thameside Investments to offer its clients a more complete range of financial planning services. The partnership combines KFS' knowledge of mortgages with Thameside's expertise in retirement and wealth planning.

  • Lancashire launches

    1 Feb 2008

    Commercial and development finance lender Lancashire Mortgage Corporation has launched a number of new products and offers.

  • Lead generation firms must stop wasting everyone's time

    28 Jan 2008

    I would like to express my concern regarding lead generation firms that provide both adverse and commercial leads.

  • Leadbay cuts prices

    1 Feb 2008

    Leadbay has reduced the price of leads sold through its Leadbundles.co.uk website by 50% for the rest of January.

  • LeadPoint unveils fixed price deals

    28 Jan 2008

    LeadPoint has launched fixed price packages of leads called Lead Packets. These include a number of leads at a fixed price. Leads can be tailored to age, postal area, credit rating, loan amount and LTV. As soon as a lead is purchased, the consumer will be sent an email informing them that they have been matched with a broker who will contact them about their request for advice.

  • Lenders are too quick to trigger court action for arrears, says CAB

    1 Feb 2008

    A damning report by the Citizens Advice Bureau has found that many consumers taking out secured loans do not realise the risks associated with taking out the loans.

  • Lenders not packagers deserve grief

    28 Jan 2008

    Why do packagers come in for so much grief? In the distribution world they get picked on more than any other group.

  • Lenders spend £100m on Basle II preparations

    28 Jan 2008

    Lenders are expected to overhaul their liquidity and capital management pro-cesses this year, with some banks having shelled out more than £100m on such improvements already.

  • Lenders warned on distressed sales

    31 Jan 2008

    The growing distressed sales market brings dangers as well as opportunities, a leading bridger has warned.

  • Lending a hand to help kids develop their reading skills

    1 Feb 2008

    With this year being designated the National Year of Reading, we look at what lenders are doing and how they can help in the UK and the developing world, where recycled educational books and equipment can make a big difference to children's lives

  • Let's debate packaging survey results, not cast doubt on research's validity

    28 Jan 2008

    Packagers could be insulted by the comments made by Amber Homeloans (Mortgage Strategy January 21) regarding our recent packager survey.

  • Liquidity plans hold risks for TCF

    1 Feb 2008

    Philip Tebbatt says that the FSA's recent paper on liquidity has raised some interesting questions for lenders - not least how their liquidity strategy affects their relationships with brokers and their brokers' obligations to borrowers under TCF

  • Loans etc makes redundancies

    28 Jan 2008

    Watford-based master broker Loans etc will be making up to six redundancies later this week following a consultation period with staff.

  • Loans in the black

    1 Feb 2008

    BDS Secured Loans has moved into the black after less than three full months of trading.

  • LSM cutback affects staff

    1 Feb 2008

    London Scottish Mortgages has confirmed that a number of its staff are in consultation over their future employment at the firm.

  • MAB urges brokers to retain customers

    31 Jan 2008

    Targeting customer retention will help brokers withstand the crunch, the Mortgage Advice Bureau has advised.

  • Marcus Howship: When failure is not an option

    1 Feb 2008

    In complicated transactions where time is of the essence bridging loans are often the way to go, but expertise in the sector is essential for success as a recent case involving a client buying a property in France proves

  • Market watch 280108

    28 Jan 2008

    Swaps had varying fortunes last week, with shorter term ones continuing to fall and longer term ones rising.

  • Market's movers and shakers in 2008

    28 Jan 2008

    Lenders have been pessimistic in the aftermath of the liquidity crisis but a number of firms are well placed to prosper over the next 12 months, says Mark Harris

  • Martin should have shopped broker to the regulator

    28 Jan 2008

    It was with dismay that I read Natalie Martin's article entitled 'Road to hell paved with good intentions' (Mortgage Strategy January 21).

  • Me & My Car - 28 January 2008

    28 Jan 2008

    My Audi A6 S Line is better than all the cars I have driven previously but its energy-saving heating system drives me round the bend, says Sam Harnett

  • Mervyn King's reign at BoE extended for five years

    30 Jan 2008

    Mervyn King has had his term as governor at the Bank of England extended for a another five years.

  • MEX reprices lifetime products

    28 Jan 2008

    Mortgage Express has repriced its lifetime mortgage product with a lifelong fixed rate to 6.29% up to 45% LTV. It has also repriced its lifetime mortgage extra product, which now has a lifelong fixed rate of 6.55% available up to 55% LTV. Both have a £599 product fee.

  • Molyneux at Swift

    1 Feb 2008

    Swift Group, the specialist mortgage and loans lender, has appointed Neil Molyneux as national account manager for mortgages. He will also be regional account manager for the South West for secured loans.

  • Moneycorp deal with GE Money Bank smooths foreign money transfers

    1 Feb 2008

    Moneycorp, the foreign exchange specialist, has announced a partnership agreement with the French property and finance specialist GE Money Bank.

  • Moody's changes UBS outlook to negative

    31 Jan 2008

    Moody's has changed its outlook for UBS to negative following yesterday’s announcement of writedowns of up to 4.4bn Swiss Francs (£2.03bn) at the bank.

  • More reasons to go commercial

    1 Feb 2008

    The commercial market has only recently started to feel the liquidity pinch. However, the outlook for commercial bridging still looks rosy.

  • Mortgage approvals fall for seventh successive month

    30 Jan 2008

    The number of new mortgage approvals for house purchase fell for the seventh consecutive month in December, says the Bank of England.

  • Mortgagematch adds two lenders

    28 Jan 2008

    Mortgagematch Homeloans has added Chelsea and Accord Mortgages to its panel, bringing the total to 21 lenders. The packager says that by adding balance sheet lenders, it is offering its customers increased security.

  • Movers & Shakers

    1 Feb 2008

    Northern Rock sees the return of virtual appointments

  • MPs give Cooper her comeuppance

    1 Feb 2008

    Parliamentary select committees don't have much clout. But for those of us who appreciate watching the people we dislike in authority squirm, there is nothing quite like a select committee hearing or a report to make us feel better.

  • MPs slam regulator for NR failings

    28 Jan 2008

    The Financial Services Authority is under pressure to radically shake up its procedures for dealing with failing banks.

  • Mutual's broking division hits 500

    30 Jan 2008

    Cheshire Mortgage Brokers has completed 500 mortgages since its launch 18 months ago. The brokerage, which is part of mutual Cheshire, specialises in providing independent advice. CMB also offers insurance for life, home and protection.Kate Raybould , broker manager at CMB, says: “We look forward to helping even more people find the right mortgage in the coming year.”

  • Nationwide ramps up tracker rates

    28 Jan 2008

    Nationwide has raised rates on its tracker range as it strives to offer competitive deals while absorbing higher funding costs.

  • New head of sales at BIM

    30 Jan 2008

    Bank of Ireland Mortgages has appointed a new head of sales.

  • New home prices fell in December

    28 Jan 2008

    Smartnewhomes. com says the average price of a new home in the UK fell by 0.3% in December, but the website adds that this is a typical December pattern, especially when it comes on the back of two months of climbing prices. London showed strong growth, with house prices up 17.5% in the past three months. The website says all this suggests the housing market has been resilient in the face of the turbulence of the past few months.

  • Newcastle in deal with Stonehaven

    28 Jan 2008

    Newcastle has made changes to its equity release service in response to consumer feedback. It has paired with equity release provider Stonehaven to offer a range of protected deals.

  • Newcastle will hire hundreds

    28 Jan 2008

    Newcastle has committed itself to a gargantuan recruitment drive following a surge in broker-generated business.

  • NI brokers told to look beyond their border

    30 Jan 2008

    Northern Ireland brokers have been told to look beyond their noses when it comes to seeking out new opportunities.

  • NI brokers urged to branch out into commercial

    30 Jan 2008

    Brokers in Northern Ireland have been hearing how the time is right for entry into the commercial mortgage sector.

  • NI Expo visitors think ahead

    28 Jan 2008

    Most visitors to Mortgage Business Expo Northern Ireland will head for a seminar on the future of the Northern Irish housing and mortgage markets, with 63% saying this will be their top priority at the show.

  • Nikki Cann

    1 Feb 2008

    I'm the head of press and PR - but because we're a relatively small organisation, I also organise events, put together the members magazine and do a bit of graphic design on the side.

  • No Darling - following the base rate down wasn't in the deal

    1 Feb 2008

    Michael Coogan, director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, has been defending lenders' position on interest rates but expects a further onslaught from the government when rates are cut again

  • Norwich Union's equity release hits Northern Ireland

    30 Jan 2008

    Norwich Union has extended its equity release service to customers in Northern Ireland.

  • OFT 'not aware' of form rules

    1 Feb 2008

    The Office of Fair Trading has told Mark Butterwick, director at courier firm Your Case Signed that it has no specific guidelines within the Consumer Credit Act regarding "invitations to call".

  • On the case

    1 Feb 2008

    JT Edmundss development firm has used big banks to fund his projects but has considered equity investors. His latest project is a small site with three units each worth 800,000 at a invested cost of 1,7m which he is waiting to complete before marketing. He has been offered an adjoining site with planning permission to build three more properties but his capital is tied up in the current development and he is nearing the term date on his current bank loans.

  • OpenBook CEO joins AHIPP board

    28 Jan 2008

    OpenBook chief executive officer Gerard Buckley has joined the board of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers.

  • Outlook for European RMBS more uncertain since crunch, says Fitch

    1 Feb 2008

    Fitch Ratings says the outlook for European residential mortgage-backed securities is more uncertain than in previous years in all countries, following the liquidity crisis.

  • Over 70% of BTL landlords predict rate drop

    31 Jan 2008

    Over 70% of buy-to-let investors are confident that interest rates will decrease over the next twelve months, shows data from Property for Life.

  • Packaging tie-up

    1 Feb 2008

    Chaseblue Loans will be packaging secured loans and bridging finance for the Cotswold Mortgage Service Network.

  • Paragon aims to prove it's no Titanic

    28 Jan 2008

    To avoid the icebergs on the horizon big firms must react quickly to danger and Paragon's rights issue is a sign it is manoeuvrable enough to avoid disaster, says Sally Laker

  • Paragon warns landlords over EPC rules

    29 Jan 2008

    Paragon Mortgages has urged landlords to review the energy efficiency of their properties ahead of new energy performance rules starting this year. From October 1, landlords will have to make an Energy Performance Certificate available to prospective tenants as part of the lettings process.

  • Patrick Bamford: Finance, like football, needs faith

    1 Feb 2008

    The first half of this year looks set to be pretty daunting, but businesses that keep up with developments in the market, maintain an open mind on all the options and look after their customers will be the ones that weather the storms ahead

  • Peer calls on NR to abolish Together mortgage

    1 Feb 2008

    A Liberal Democrat peer has called on the chancellor to ban Northern Rock from offering its 125% LTV Together mortgage.

  • Pensioners face escalating living costs

    28 Jan 2008

    Pensioners face an inflation hike of 7% this year, says Newcastle Building Society Equity Release Service.

  • Pink to tackle TCF

    31 Jan 2008

    Pink Home Loans is to make Treating Customers Fairly the central focus of its annual sales conference.

  • PM calls for global reforms

    28 Jan 2008

    Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to be reformed to meet new economic challenges. The PM was speaking at the World Economic Forum last week.

  • Positive Solutions launches mortgage club

    31 Jan 2008

    National IFA firm Positive Solutions has launched a mortgage club.

  • Prestbury eyes management buyout

    31 Jan 2008

    Prestbury has revealed proposals for a management buy-out that would see the company taken off the Alternative Investment Market.

  • Prestige builds up

    1 Feb 2008

    Prestige, the Hertfordshire-based secured loans lender, is bolstering its broker support ahead of changes to the Consumer Credit Act due in April.

  • Proc fees make no difference to lenders' arrangement fees

    28 Jan 2008

    I write in response to Paul Ormerod's attack on proc fees (Mortgage Strategy Letters January 14). His assertion that if they were scrapped lenders would not charge arrangement fees is a little too idealistic for my taste.

  • Prudential sees 21% sales growth worldwide

    29 Jan 2008

    Prudential has seen a 21% increase in full-year sales, although its UK sales remained flat.

  • PTFS brokers to access AfI deals via Toolbox

    28 Jan 2008

    Personal Touch Financial Services and Abbey for Intermediaries have teamed up to provide brokers with greater access to Abbey's products via PTFS' Toolbox system.

  • Pundits await lending picture

    28 Jan 2008

    industry pundits are waiting for a fuller picture to emerge of last year's mortgage market despite the CML revealing record gross lending figures.

  • Pundits reject PPI findings

    28 Jan 2008

    Industry pundits say re-search from Prudential that claims only 25% of consumers are looking for cheap payment protection insurance is wishful thinking.

  • Punitive plans tie big debtors

    1 Feb 2008

    A prison-like sentence awaits those who have notched up huge debts over Christmas, warns individual voluntary arrangements comparison site IVA.com.

  • Quest covers every postcode for HIPs

    28 Jan 2008

    Home Information Pack and Energy Performance Certificate software provider Quest has now processed a HIP or EPC in every postcode district of the country.

  • RBPs a must in a risky environment

    28 Jan 2008

    Small firms must keep on top of their regulatory business plans not only to please the regulator but also to cope with threats in the market, says Nick Battersby

  • Regulation following Rock fall is next challenge for industry

    1 Feb 2008

    John Rowland, analyst at Cicero Consulting, points a warning finger at Enron and the Sarbanes Oxley Act and says that the fallout from the Northern Rock mustn't result in similar knee-jerk measures

  • Report warns Britain's economy 'exposed'

    31 Jan 2008

    The UK is one of the three most exposed economies in Europe, a report has warned.

  • Repossession balance shifts

    1 Feb 2008

    Next month's Lending Strategy - a sister publication of Loan Distributor is set to reveal that an increasing number of reposs-essions are driven by secured lenders.

  • RICS says commercial market facing tough times

    30 Jan 2008

    The commercial property market is facing tough times as the impact of the credit crunch takes hold.

  • Robert Sinclair: PPI calls for foward thinking

    1 Feb 2008

    Robert Sinclair, associate director of the Association of Finance Brokers will be answering questions every month put to him by brokers. If you have a question you would like him to answer, please email natalie.martin@centaur.co.uk

  • S&P downgrades Friends Prov ratings

    31 Jan 2008

    Standard & Poor’s has reacted to Friends Provident’s strategic changes by downgrading several of the insurers’ ratings and giving it a negative outlook.

  • Salans calls for sell-and-rent back code of conduct

    29 Jan 2008

    Specialist conveyancer Salans is calling for a sell-and rent-back code of conduct in a bid to rescue the sector’s reputation.

  • Salt Commercial sets 1bn target

    1 Feb 2008

    Salt Commercial has started 2008 aggresively with the opening of new premises and an ambitious recruitment drive to expand its commercial lending operation, targeting 1bn of new business by 2009.

  • Say Brown and see red

    1 Feb 2008

    I'm not sure if the above headline was inspired by Gordon Brown's politics - looking at the television coverage of his recent trade mission the PM seemed very at home in the People's Republic of China (and like Chairman Mao, he too has written a littleread book) - or by the state of Britain's balance sheet.

  • Scottish children to learn money skills

    28 Jan 2008

    Schoolchildren in Scotland are to be taught financial budgeting skills under plans unveiled by the Scottish Executive.

  • Second charge can damage your health

    28 Jan 2008

    I love statistics. They are the bread and butter of any journalist's life because they can be manipulated to prove whatever you want. It's how you use them that counts and you can even fool yourself in the process.

  • Shelter calls for free advice on arrears

    31 Jan 2008

    Shelter is calling for a free advice service for borrowers in arrears after seeing the number of enquiries from distressed home owners soar by 10,000 last year.

  • Simon Stern: Ensure you're not an April fool

    1 Feb 2008

    The secured loans industry faces a challenging period and firms should use the early weeks of the year to shore up their business systems in preparation for the changes to the Consumer Credit Act scheduled for April

  • Sink or swim in the mortgage flood

    28 Jan 2008

    I must confess I'm struggling to find cheerful things to write about in this week's column but I'm sure you'll forgive me.

  • Six in the City - 28 January 2008

    28 Jan 2008

    The chancellor must be fretting about debt more than most of us, says Laura Stavro-Beauchamp

  • Slowdown will hit building target

    28 Jan 2008

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says the slowdown in the housing market will decrease the likelihood of the government achieving its target to build three million new homes by 2020.

  • SLS launches IVA service

    28 Jan 2008

    Secured Loan Services has launched an individual voluntary arrangement service in association with accountant Grant Thornton, to help brokers manage heavily indebted clients. SLS expects the number of IVAs to increase to 130,000 this year.

  • Small firms set to miss tax deadline

    28 Jan 2008

    Small businesses could be forced to shell out around £200m in fines for failing to submit their self-assessment tax returns by Revenue & Customs' deadline of January 31.

  • Smart Move

    28 Jan 2008

    Moneysupermarket.com boss Simon Nixon is apparently looking to get into the posh property sector.

  • Snapshot of Scottish housing

    1 Feb 2008

    RBS and HBOS have put Edinburgh on the map as a driving force in financial services. But as our interview with Graeme Dalziel on pages 26-28 reveals, there is room in Scotland for smaller players to punch above their weight

  • Standard Life's retail chief moves to Friends Provident

    30 Jan 2008

    The head of Standard Life’s UK retail division Trevor Matthews has left to become chief executive of Friends Provident.

  • Stock Picker

    28 Jan 2008

    It was a volatile week in the global stock markets. Following significant falls on Monday due to recession fears, financial stocks made impressive gains as investors reacted to a surprise 0.75% rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

  • Student defaults plan slated

    28 Jan 2008

    Government plans to pass details of borrowers' student loan defaults to credit agencies could make it more difficult for first-time buyers to obtain mortgages.

  • Taking the edge off distress

    1 Feb 2008

    Distressed sales of homes are set to increase as housing market problems continue. One alternative is for an investor to buy the property at a discount and lease it back to the seller, but that needs fast funds. This is where bridging finance comes in. Natalie Martin reports

  • Tax break call for elderly downsizers

    28 Jan 2008

    In Retirement Services is calling on the government to abolish Stamp Duty and other taxes for pensioners looking to downsize.

  • TCF in the Year of the Rat

    1 Feb 2008

    Treating customers fairly is anything the Financial Service Authority wants it to be. Simon Walker of KPMG explores some of the tricky issues that will have an impact on lenders when the TCF initiative is implemented this year, with March set as the interim deadline

  • The attractions of technology

    1 Feb 2008

    Alan Cleary, managing director of edeus, says the liquidity squeeze has highlighted the role that decision-making technology can play in the specialist lenders' survival game

  • The banking giants that like to say no

    28 Jan 2008

    How valuable are personal relationships with service providers? When it comes to my butcher, my builder and my favourite restaurant, they are invaluable.

  • The gloves are off

    1 Feb 2008

    Forget the bluff. This month Michael Coogan pulls no punches on the regulators, the credit crisis and what really matters in the coming months

  • The media distorts the message

    28 Jan 2008

    Kevin Paterson takes a weekly look at the latest developments in the market and brings you what's hot and what's not in the world of mortgages

  • The month at a glance

    1 Feb 2008

    January - a new month and a new year but the old problems came back to haunt us. Even so, there was some political innovation on the Northern Rock front with a fantasy nationalisation and a virtual appointment

  • The right multi-brand strategy could make RBS even stronger

    1 Feb 2008

    Two years after creating a single sales team for its four mortgage brands, Royal Bank of Scotland is considering undoing its good work. Sally Laker, managing director of Mortgage Intelligence, debates the wisdom of the move

  • Thompson in business

    1 Feb 2008

    Mortgages for Business is expanding its business-to-business operation and has hired Steve Thompson as commercial consultant.

  • Times are hard for one well known ex-footballer who Loan Ranger hears has had to top up his se-cured loan for a second time.

    1 Feb 2008

    Things turned nasty this month when Darren Fry, managing director of Prestige Acceptance, announced he was closing his firm for business but it seems....

  • TMW goes on the road to preach gospel of B2L

    30 Jan 2008

    The Mortgage Works is to hit the road with a series of buy-to-let presentations for brokers.

  • Towergate buys Britishinsurance.com

    28 Jan 2008

    Towergate has snapped up Britishinsurance.com for an undisclosed sum.

  • Trackers are tops in January

    28 Jan 2008

    John Charcol says the three most popular mortgage products this month so far have been tracker deals without early repayment charges. It says this is probably because of expectations that the base rate will fall in February and the lack of competitive fixed rate deals.

  • Trade body appeal saves brokers' commission

    28 Jan 2008

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries and the Association of Finance Brokers have been hailed as the saviours of broker commission.

  • Treasury moves may be afoot to bring secured loans within the FSA's remit

    1 Feb 2008

    The Treasury may be planning to draw up a consultation paper proposing that secured loans are regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

  • Trustguard Manchester gains room to expand

    28 Jan 2008

    Trustguard Manchester has shelled out £750,000 to buy new premises in Swinton.

  • UBS expecting full-year losses of £2.03bn

    30 Jan 2008

    UBS will report losses of 4.4bn Swiss francs (£2.03bn) in its full-year results due mainly to its exposure to the US sub-prime mortgage market.

  • UNIFi and Promise partner for brokers

    29 Jan 2008

    UNIFi Partners and Promise Solutions have partnered to provide brokers with support for their secured loan practices.

  • US rate cut welcomed as good for the UK

    28 Jan 2008

    THE US Federal Reserve's surprise 0.75% rate cut last week has been hailed as good news for the UK.

  • Vision to start national roadshow next month

    28 Jan 2008

    The Mortgage Times Group's recently rebranded network arm Vision Network is kick-starting a nationwide roadshow in February.

  • Vox Pop 01 February 2008

    1 Feb 2008

    Some parts of the secured lending industry have been slow to react to the controversial decision made in the Hurstanger case last year, which concluded that brokers must fully disclose all commission. Despite this, many brokers are still making their minds up.

  • Warning on rental sector review

    28 Jan 2008

    The government has been warned not to over-regulate the private rental market when its review of the sector is concluded. The review, unveiled last week by housing and planning minister Yvette Cooper, will consider landlord and tenant relationships and look at future supply and demand in the sector. Cooper says: "Too few individuals are aware of their rights and responsibilities as tenants or landlords, so this is a good time for a review." Andy McQueen, managing director of Nationwide ...

  • Woolwich gave great service but MAX needs an overhaul

    28 Jan 2008

    I've submitted four cases to Woolwich in the past month with impressive results. A £700,000 remortgage submitted on December 5 was offered on December 24. It would have been even quicker if the client had been available to meet the valuer earlier.

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