Mortgage Strategy
3 April 2006

  • Guide dog

    3 Apr 2006

    The Yorkshire will pay for a guide dog puppy through its first year of life from the donation of 1,500 old mobile phones. Staff and customers chose to call the yellow Labrador, which was born on December 5, Buddy.

  • Vertex buys 1st

    3 Apr 2006

    Vertex Financial Services has acquired 1st Software Group. 1st, which has over 11,000 users, will become a key part of Vertex, fitting within The Exchange business.

  • 1.5 million properties estimated above IHT, says Halifax

    4 Apr 2006

    Halifax estimates that the number of properties in the UK valued at more than the 2006/07 Inheritance Tax threshold of 285,000 now stands at 1.5 million, or 8% of all owner-occupied properties.

  • 10k cost of running a home, says Sainsburys

    4 Apr 2006

    Sainsburys Bank has estimated that the annual cost of running a home is now around 10,048.

  • 14 councils seek PFI schemes

    6 Apr 2006

    Fourteen councils have asked to develop housing Private FinanceInitiative schemes to build more social rented homes as part of adrive to regenerate their local communities.

  • A&L keeps mum on takeover talk

    3 Apr 2006

    Alliance & Leicester has refused to comment on speculation that it has turned down a 5.8bn takeover bid from French lender Credit Agricole.The Times reported last week that the lender approached A&L with a 13 a share offer but was rejected. It also claimed A&L is a likely target for Banco Santander of Spain, which would result in a merger between A&L and Abbey.

  • Accord extends its cascade system

    3 Apr 2006

    Accord Mortgages is extending its Adverse Business Cascade system, making it into a 360 degree system titled All Business Cascade.

  • Accord launches additional products

    7 Apr 2006

    Accord Mortgages is launching additional products in its prime range including long term fixed rate products with higher income multiples.

  • Advantage rewards intermediaries

    3 Apr 2006

    Advantage Home Loans, a UK branded mortgage arranger in the sub-prime market is continuing to reward intermediaries when choosing to use its innovative, on-line tool, e:valuate.

  • Adverts on HIPs

    3 Apr 2006

    Mortgage providers could be able to use Home Information Packs to advertise their services. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minster says although marketing material won't be allowed inside the packs, adverts on packaging in separate compartments are a possibility.

  • AIFA members get FSA fees boost

    3 Apr 2006

    The Association of Independent Financial Advisers says its members will gain significantly from the improved terms of the instalment plan for regulatory fees unveiled by the Financial Services Authority. In 2005 AIFA persuaded the FSA to allow firms to pay fees by instalments and a scheme was set up with Premium Credit. Rates for AIFA members will be 2.65% (2005: 3.3%) and for non-members, 3.15% (2005: 4.3%).

  • Alexander Hall waits for proof

    3 Apr 2006

    Alexander Hall says it has not received evidence from the BBC to support the allegations made in its Whistleblower series, exposing the underhand practices of estate agents.

  • Alliance & Leicester responds to base rate decision

    6 Apr 2006

    Alliance & Leicester has responded to the Monetary Policy COmmittee's decision to keep the base rate at 4.5%.

  • An expos矴hat surprised nobody

    3 Apr 2006

    Shock horror - estate agents are a dodgy bunch. But did it really take an undercover investigation team from the BBC's Whistleblower series to prove the people we trust to sell our houses use a few tricks of the trade to rip us off?

  • Approvals up in February

    3 Apr 2006

    Mortgage approvals were up by 22% in February compared with the same month last year, figures from the British Bankers' Association show.February's gross lending of 14bn was the highest February total on record, 18% above the 2005 figure and 4% above the total two years ago.

  • Are lower rates or product innovation most important in the equity release market?

    3 Apr 2006

    Innovation is crucial and rates must be sustainable to keep lenders in the market for the long haul, say our experts.

  • Are the two main political parties doing enough to help FTBs?

    3 Apr 2006

    Word on the Street - First-time buyers are set to become an election issue.

  • Avenel becomes L&E chairman

    3 Apr 2006

    Gilles Avenel has been appointed chairman of London & European Title Insurance. Avenel joined L&E's board in October 2005. He has over 30 years' experience in banking and insurance, the last 10 spent in executive and non-executive board roles.

  • B2L hotspots

    3 Apr 2006

    Jon Clark of residential property specialist CCRE Touchstone says investors are looking beyond traditional areas such as London and Manchester to focus on regional cities and towns.Places such as Cheltenham and Poole are the new hotspots for those wanting to build rental property portfolios.

  • B2L remortgaging will increase in popularity

    3 Apr 2006

    Although the buy-to-let market has remained stronger and more resistant to wider market trends than was predicted, it is interesting to note there has been a growth in remortgages, in the same way as we have seen in the owner-occupied market in recent years.

  • Banks too "pushy" with PPI, say consumers

    4 Apr 2006

    A poll from Moneyfacts.co.uk reveals that 53% of consumers feel their bank has been too pushy when trying to sell insurance with a loan or credit card.

  • Be prepared for your date with the regulator

    3 Apr 2006

    I'm a firm believer in the benefits of preparation. Winston Churchill once said his best off-the-cuff remarks were prepared weeks in advance, while another of my favourite sayings is 'Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.'

  • Beaumont promoted to deputy CEO of MPLC

    3 Apr 2006

    Mortgages PLC has promoted Peter Beaumont to the post of deputy chief executive officer.

  • Blow the whistle loud but act with discretion

    3 Apr 2006

    For years estate agents have borne the brunt of derogatory jibes about their nefarious practices and received nothing more than shrugs and apathy from a public inclined to believe the accusations are little more than mischievous banter.

  • BM launches credit repair range

    3 Apr 2006

    BM Solutions today launches a range of credit repair products exclusively for its sub-prime clients.

  • BM Solutions appoints Pearson as head of sales and marketing

    6 Apr 2006

    Chris Pearson, previously head of national accounts for Halifax Intermediaries, has joined BM Solutions as head of sales and marketing.

  • Bright future

    3 Apr 2006

    The evidence points to a strong residential property investment market in 2006 and beyond, says Paragon Mortgages. Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister all give positive indicators.

  • Bringing something fresh to the party

    3 Apr 2006

    2006 has been earmarked as the year of new lenders. This is good news for brokers and more importantly for consumers, who will benefit from better products. This effect will be due to the need of new entrants to make a splash in the market.

  • Britons rank Spain as top spot to live abroad

    4 Apr 2006

    Almost one third of Britons are interested in buying property abroad or moving abroad, reveals research from Banco Halifax Hispania, the Spanish arm of Halifax.

  • Brokers say Stamp Duty should have been scrapped

    3 Apr 2006

    A whopping 85% of brokers unsurprisingly think Gordon Brown should have scrapped Stamp Duty in the last Budget. Just 15% thought this was a bad idea. Judging by feedback last week, most brokers felt the chancellor had let borrowers down by only raising the threshold by a measly 5,000.

  • Brokers support de-bundling on PPI, says AMI

    4 Apr 2006

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries March Mortgage Intermediary Census on Payment Protection Insurance has revealed widespread support for the de-linking of PPI products from any associated mortgage product and the de-bundling of each of the individual elements of accident, sickness and unemployment. The sale of PPI has been high on the Financial Service Authoritys agenda since the results of its mystery shopping exercise into the sector last year. The Office of Fair Trading ...

  • Brown has been a lucky chancellor

    3 Apr 2006

    As Gordon Brown reminded us in his Budget speech last week, he is now the longest serving chancellor since the 1820s. The mortgage market has thrived during his decade in office. But this has rather more to do with his luck in coming to office at the right time than any great government innovations.

  • Brown makes another U-turn on SIPPs

    3 Apr 2006

    In yet another U-turn, chancellor Gordon Brown is to allow holders of self-invested personal pension plans to invest directly in student halls of residence and indirectly in other residential properties.

  • C2 moves to help B2L professionals

    3 Apr 2006

    c2-financial is launching an 85% LTV buy-to-let mortgage with no rental verification.

  • Cheaper calls

    3 Apr 2006

    Guaranteed and Genesis Home Loans are operating 0845 numbers so customers pay local rates for calls to the companies' Peterborough and Maidstone offices.

  • CHL products for limited companies

    3 Apr 2006

    Capital Home Loans is launching a range of sub-prime buy-to-let mortgage products for limited companies.

  • Closer to a straight-through solution

    3 Apr 2006

    Vertex's acquisition of 1st Software could herald a major advance in the provision of straight-through mortgage solutions for intermediaries, says Frank Eve

  • Cold calling can come in from the cold

    3 Apr 2006

    Given an overhaul and a rebrand, cold calling could become a useful tool when it comes to identifying those consumers who are most in need of financial advice, says Tom Atkins

  • Commercial property continues to attract private investors

    6 Apr 2006

    Commercial property returns are continuing to attract individual private investors with total returns in 2005 remaining close to 20% for the second consecutive year.

  • Communication is key to HIP success

    3 Apr 2006

    It took a lot longer than it should have to formulate and it involved a reshuffle among the Home Information Pack mandarins at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister but at last it arrived - the timetable on the lead-up to the implementation of HIPs in June 2007.

  • Contract clause could hit Rightmove's HIP business

    3 Apr 2006

    Investors buying shares in Rightmove have been warned that a contractual clause between Rightmove and its three main shareholders could lead to a drop in the value of its future Home Information Pack business.

  • Conveyancing discount

    3 Apr 2006

    Easier2Move is offering The Mortgage Alliance members a 10% discount on conveyancing instructions received in April.

  • Co-op ethics under fire

    3 Apr 2006

    The ethics of the Co-operative Insurance Society and its bank are being questioned after financial researchers Defaqto compared the cost of the Co-op's Payment Protection Insurance with other lenders. During its recent investigation into the state of the payment protection market, Defaqto asked lenders to quote their PPI charges for a 5,000 loan over four years with an assumed monthly repayment of 150. Whilst the Co-op was one of the more reasonable providers, its monthly premium ...

  • Co-op's price structure is exploitative, not protective

    3 Apr 2006

    I am sad to find that the Co-operative Insurance Society and its sister-orgnaisation, the Co-op Bank, are not following ethical policies.

  • CurriculumVitae

    3 Apr 2006

    I've recently taken up a sport called driving your daughters to birthday parties at weekends.

  • DB Launch Countdown

    3 Apr 2006

    This week is about welcoming recruits to dbm House in Chester, our first outing in our new roles at an industry event and an expensive electronic device in a toy box, says Bill Dudgeon

  • Dear Delia

    3 Apr 2006

    Dear Delia Peter and Jane are first-time buyers and have managed to save a deposit in addition to their savings to cover the costs of moving.

  • DTI unveils winning bids for funds to tackle debt

    6 Apr 2006

    Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson today announced the winning bids for a multimillion pound government fund to help tens of thousands of people from some of the most deprived areas across England and Wales tackle severe debt.

  • e2m doubles minimum referral fee on conveyancing transactions

    4 Apr 2006

    Easier2move, the online conveyancing specialists and Home Information Pack providers has revealed it has doubled the minimum referral fee on all conveyancing transactions from 50 to 100.

  • Edison nicked the idea of the light bulb from Joseph Swan

    3 Apr 2006

    Will someone please tell Kensington that Edison did not famously invent the light bulb (see adverts in Mortgage Strategy).

  • Education scheme unveiled

    3 Apr 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has launched a programme to improve the financial skills of 18 to 40 year olds.

  • Equity quango will be a waste of time

    3 Apr 2006

    What first-time buyers need is a quango. That's the government's idea to help the young adults who still inhabit their teenage bedrooms because they can't afford their own homes.

  • Equity seminars

    3 Apr 2006

    IFA support services provider Threesixty has teamed up with Just Retirement to stage a series of seminars exploring issues around equity release and Inheritance Tax.

  • Estate agents must be licenced now

    3 Apr 2006

    The BBC's Whistleblower expos?wo weeks ago confirmed what many had long-suspected of the estate agency industry - and even more have long been the victims of.

  • Estate agents should be regulated

    3 Apr 2006

    Regulating estate agents is the only way to raise their reputation in the eyes of the public, and mortgage advisers would benefit from a boost in their image too, says Sue Read

  • EXCLUSIVE: Duncombe quits Platform for Advantage

    3 Apr 2006

    Jeremy Duncombe has quit his role as head of sales at Platform to join the Morgan Stanley owned Advantage Home Loans

  • EXCLUSIVE: Reynolds and Charge quit HBOS for Oakwood

    3 Apr 2006

    Martin Reynolds, head of sales at BM Solutions and Peter Charge, director of sales and marketing at The Mortgage Business, have sensationally quit HBOS today to join the Oakwood Group.

  • FSA case against Elliott upheld

    4 Apr 2006

    The Financial Services and Markets Tribunal has upheld a Financial Services Authority case against Allen Phillip Elliott after finding that he is not fit and proper to work in any part of the UK's regulated financial services industry.

  • FSA should look into links between estate agents and finanical services firms

    3 Apr 2006

    I have just watched the BBC's Whistleblower programme which has supposedly broken the news that a number of estate agents in this country operate outside the ethical boundaries expected of those in positions of trust.

  • FSA smooths application process

    3 Apr 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has improved its application process so that firms can build application packs tailored to their type of business.

  • FSA to consult on ending audit requirements for small firms

    7 Apr 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has today issued a consultation paper outlining proposals to remove the statutory audit requirements under the Companies Act for small firms and Appointed Representatives.

  • Future enters B2L market

    3 Apr 2006

    Future Mortgages launched into the buy-to-let market last week but restricted access to products to 10 packagers while it tackles its service issues.

  • Future Mortgages' idea of urgency makes me laugh

    3 Apr 2006

    There follows an amusing moment from a lender.

  • GM flogs 51% controlling stake in GMAC

    4 Apr 2006

    General Motors has agreed to sell a 51% controlling interest in General Motors Acceptance Corporation to a consortium of investors led by Cerberus Capital Management, Citigroup and Aozora Bank.

  • GMAC-RFC announces record breaking year for 2005

    3 Apr 2006

    GMAC-RFC UK has today announced its results for 2005, including a 9% rise in mortgage lending.

  • GMAC-RFC pilots 95% LTV deal through packagers

    3 Apr 2006

    GMAC-RFC has become the first lender to pilot a self-cert 95% LTV product through packagers.

  • Growing pains

    3 Apr 2006

    Although house prices are relatively low compared with the rest of the UK, Northern Ireland has seen rapid inflation in recent years, sparking concerns about affordability, says Barney McCarthy

  • HBOS signs up to Origo

    5 Apr 2006

    Origo, the UK financial services industry standards body, today confirmed that HBOS has become the 14th lender to join the Origo mortgage e-standards initiative, which aims to drive ecommerce, help integrate systems and increase efficiency across the sector.

  • Heritable increases maximum loans

    3 Apr 2006

    Heritable Bank has increased the maximum loans offered on its range of buy-to-let and self-cert mortgages. The maximum amount buy-to-let investors will be able to borrow has been doubled from 5m to 10m. It has also increased the maximum amount an applicant for a self-cert mortgage can borrow from 1m to 1.5m.

  • HIPs warning

    3 Apr 2006

    Introducing Home Information Packs next year will be "like regulating fishing and putting the sharks in charge," says David Quick, managing director of Central Electronic Trading Agency. Quick fears brokers will be muscled out as estate agents use the provision of HIPs to their own advantage.

  • HML awarded global certificate for information security

    4 Apr 2006

    Homeloan Management Ltd has been awarded the global certification for information security, ISO27001.

  • HomesGoFast.com reports an upturn in Dubai property market

    7 Apr 2006

    HomesGoFast.com reports an upturn in Dubai property market, which it says is currently a global hot spot with stellar growth in its tourism industry and its population rising by 200,000 annually.

  • House prices forcing FTBs to wait until they are 30 to buy

    6 Apr 2006

    A survey of potential first-time buyers reveals that the average age by which they expect to buy their first home is 30, with almost 40% not expecting to own a home until they are over the age of 30.

  • Industry welcomes ARLA, NAEA merger

    3 Apr 2006

    The decision to merge the Association of Residential Letting Agents and the National Association of Estate Agents is being hailed as a positive step for the industry.

  • Inheritance tax risk for 4.2 million households by 2020

    5 Apr 2006

    The Halifax estimates that the number of properties in the UK valued at more than the 2006/07 inheritance tax threshold of 285,000 now stands at 1.5m or 8% of all owner occupied properties.

  • Interest rates held at 4.5%

    6 Apr 2006

    The Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.5% for the ninth month in a row.The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee last reduced interest rates 0.25% to 4.5% on August 4 2005.

  • Intrinsic Financial Services signs up to use CAL system

    5 Apr 2006

    Intrinsic Financial Services Limited are the latest company to sign up to the online conveyancing system provided by Conveyancing Alliance Limited.

  • Investors look beyond traditional destinations

    3 Apr 2006

    Britons are looking beyond the traditional property hotspots of Western Europe when buying holiday or second homes abroad, research from HIFX shows.

  • I've had estate agents asking me how much clients earn

    3 Apr 2006

    I appreciate Chris Shelton's comments in his recent letter but the BBC programme on estate agents brought an immediate response from those in a regulated industry - I rest my case.

  • Just Retirement rate will stir things up

    3 Apr 2006

    We begin the second quarter of the year with yet another rate cut. Hot on the heels of other drawdown providers, Just Retirement has followed the trend, announcing a rate cut on its lifetime mortgage effective from today.

  • Just Wills offers free will reviews to those affected by Budget changes

    5 Apr 2006

    Just Wills is offering a free review service to intermediaries for any of their clients worried about how Gordon Browns changes in the latest Budget may affect their will.

  • Keeping a grip

    3 Apr 2006

    Understanding the circumstances and priorities of borrowers is essential for lenders looking to formulate effective retention strategies, says Toby Conrad

  • Kensington incentives

    3 Apr 2006

    Kensington Mortgages has introduced incentives to complement its Extra Choices product range. Buyers get 250 cashback and remortgaging clients have the option of 250 cashback or free legals.

  • Knight calls on lenders to offer deals up to 6 x income

    3 Apr 2006

    Stephen Knight, executive chairman of GMAC-RFC, is calling on lenders to develop products for five or six times a person's income.

  • Lenders should try to make life easier for packagers

    3 Apr 2006

    I read with surprise the article in the March 10 issue concerning RAMP and the PMPA issuing a joint statement to Kensington regarding the fees on its recently launched product range, and the reports that followed.

  • Lloyds TSB Islamic banking goes on the road in Glasgow

    3 Apr 2006

    Lloyds TSB Islamic Financial Services is hitting the road in Glasgow in one of a series of events showcasing the range of financial products it now offers to the Muslim community.

  • Lloyds TSB responds to base rate decision

    6 Apr 2006

    The Bank of Englands Monetary Policy Committee has decided to keep interest rates on hold at 4.5%.

  • LMS receives NAEA endorsement

    7 Apr 2006

    LMS, the independent supplier of Home Information Packs, has gained an endorsement for its HIP service from the National Association of Estate Agents. The company has been appointed as the preferred supplier of HIPs for the 10,000 members of NAEA, the largest organisation for estate agents in the UK. The Association made the endorsement following an analysis of HIP providers in seeking a supplier with the nationwide resources, systems, technology, experience and support to provide ...

  • Many sub-prime clients prefer the single premium option

    3 Apr 2006

    I have read with interest the flurry of letters in Mortgage Strategy on mortgage payment protection insurance and would like to offer support to the besieged Paul Violet - one of the few correspondents who has met clients who feel they would benefit from this type of policy.

  • Marketing Brief

    3 Apr 2006

    Support is critical in the mortgage industry. Kevin Paterson's A-Z review rates the marketing material that lenders issue to help brokers with sales and business development.

  • Marketwatch

    3 Apr 2006

    Swaps increased substantially last week but on the whole it was a pretty quiet week for rate changes. It was one of those rare weeks with no Northern Rock rate changes.

  • MEX survey reveals landlords are ready for housing bill

    5 Apr 2006

    A survey by Mortgage Express has revealed that 59% of landlords are up to speed with the Multiple Occupancy Act set to come into place tomorrow.

  • Minister pledges help for FTBs

    3 Apr 2006

    Housing minister Yvette Cooper last week pledged to provide more help for first-time buyers alongside plans to deliver more homes.Speaking at a shared equity conference, Cooper announced the formation of 23 Homebuy Agents to give first-time buyers advice.

  • Mint signs up with IRS

    4 Apr 2006

    Mint Financial Services has become the first network to agree a strategic alliance with equity release provider In Retirement Services.

  • Misys takeover talks fail as price can't be agreed

    3 Apr 2006

    Acquisition talks bet-ween Misys and unknown potential buyers broke down last week after the parties were unable to establish a satisfactory price for Misys' network Sesame.

  • Money Partners unveils products

    3 Apr 2006

    Money Partners has launched a range of products under its Origin brand. The range extends across four core product bands.

  • Mortgage Intelligence to launch 5* and 7* mortgage clubs

    5 Apr 2006

    The exclusive 5* and 7* Elan mortgage clubs are to be launched in May by Mortgage Intelligence for directly authorised brokers who want to feel special and enjoy a range of bespoke services. Sally Laker, managing director of Mortgage Intelligence, says: Business placed through our channel is important to us, but we consider building strong, enduring relationships with our brokers as even more important.

  • Mortgage Trust introduces email offer facility

    3 Apr 2006

    Mortgage Trust, the specialist buy-to-let mortgage lender, is pleased to announce that it has introduced an email offer facility.

  • Mortgage Trust joins Personal Touch Packagings lending panel

    5 Apr 2006

    Personal Touch Packaging has appointed specialist buy-to-let provider Mortgage Trust to its lender panel.

  • Movie romp at Earth Mortgages

    3 Apr 2006

    An article in The Sun last week revealed that staff at brokerage Earth Mortgages were shown a sex film starring one of their colleagues. Broker Paul Wroe was apparently filmed by a friend on his mobile romping with a brunette. The film was shown on a 42 inch plasma screen at Earth's offices in Rotherham.

  • MS should know gazumping is not a problem in Scotland

    3 Apr 2006

    Further to your story on gazumping in Mortgage Strategy Online, I must object to the use of the word Britain.

  • NACFB looks to expand membership

    5 Apr 2006

    The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers welcomed membership applications from the wider adviser community by introducing an Associate Membership package. Broker introductions now represent around 15% of the estimated 200bn of commercial finance business negotiated each year in the SME market up from around 5% in 1995. NACFB Associate Members will receive a range of benefits, including, access to the products and preferential service of over 65 NACFB ...

  • Nationwide changes affordability calculation

    3 Apr 2006

    Nationwide has made its affordability calculation more flexible in order to fall into line with market trends.

  • Nationwide moves to allow higher borrowing

    3 Apr 2006

    Nationwide has raised its affordability calculation, increasing the amount new applicants can borrow.

  • Nationwide slams HLCs

    3 Apr 2006

    Nationwide is urging lenders to scrap higher lending charges which it says will cost borrowers 200m this year.

  • Network cost calculator

    3 Apr 2006

    Mortgage Next Network has launched an online cost calculator which enables appointed representatives to compare the cost of belonging to their existing network with that of being a member of the Mortgage Next Network.

  • Networks start to prove their worth

    3 Apr 2006

    Being involved with a closed distribution entity such as a network is beginning to show its value as ARs take advantage of the services available to them, says Payam Azadi.

  • New BTL rules for multiple occupancy properties comes into force

    6 Apr 2006

    New powers to improve management of private rented sector properties through licensing, to bring long-term empty homes back into use and to improve the health and safety of occupants in dwellings have come into force today.

  • New business development manager for Pink

    5 Apr 2006

    Pink Home Loans has appointed a new business development manager to cover East Anglia and the Home Counties.

  • Newcastle CEO to take early retirement

    7 Apr 2006

    Robert Hollinshead has revealed he is to take early retirement from his position of chief executive officer of the Newcastle, due to poor health.

  • NR reveals 26% increase in total net lending in Q1 2006

    4 Apr 2006

    Northern Rock has released its trading statement for Q1 up to March 31, which reveals total net lending was 26% higher than the same period last year.

  • OFT launches study of PPI

    4 Apr 2006

    The OFT has today launched a market study to look in depth at the payment protection insurance sector. The study follows a super-complaint from the Citizens Advice Bureau to which OFT responded on December 8 2005.

  • Online directory will help brokers access services

    3 Apr 2006

    The Mortgage industry has its own equivalent of the famous Million Dollar Homepage with the launch of the Brokers Bible.

  • Optoma Broker Solutions promtes James Hall to sales director

    4 Apr 2006

    Hall joined Optoma in June 2003 as business development manager for the south coast, bringing a wealth of experience with him from his many years as a mortgage intermediary.

  • Opus helps staff to stub out

    3 Apr 2006

    Glasgow-based packager Opus is easing the effect of the smoking ban on its staff by offering them hypnotherapy to help them quit.

  • Oryen offers 150 cashback on deals

    3 Apr 2006

    Oryen Mortgage Packaging is offering intermediaries 150 cashback across its Southern Pacific Mortgages Limited product range, including near prime.

  • Payment protection probe welcomed by Paymentcare

    4 Apr 2006

    Online payment protection insurance provider Paymentcare.co.uk has welecomed the Office of Fair Tradings investigation into the PPI market, with reservations.

  • Paymentshield ranked as UK's 58th fastest growing company

    4 Apr 2006

    Paymentshield, the largest independent supplier of mortgage related general insurance products to the intermediary sector, has been recognised as one of the UKs top 100 fastest growing companies

  • Pink teams up with LifeQuote

    4 Apr 2006

    Pink Home Loans has formed a working partnership with LifeQuote, the insurance service provider.

  • Platform appoints head of product development

    3 Apr 2006

    Platform, the intermediary lender of Britannia has appointed Mark Gordon as head of product development.

  • Poor old GMAC: Good child, bad parent

    3 Apr 2006

    When good parents go bad might sound like the name of one of those new- fangled reality shows that have taken over the airwaves in America but it also describes what's gone wrong at GMAC Residential, a subsidiary of US auto giant General Motors.

  • Prestbury Investment Management receives IFA authorisation

    7 Apr 2006

    Prestbury Investment Management has received IFA authorisation.

  • Prestbury unveils leads search engine facility

    3 Apr 2006

    Now that trademark investigations have ruled out potential confusion between the search engine and the tycoon's interests, Prestbury hopes to roll out trumpo.com this month.

  • Property industry prepares for retirement planning as A-Day dawns

    5 Apr 2006

    Investors planning for their retirement are gearing up for A-Day on Thursday, April 6 when they will be able to invest in residential property through their SIPPs, reports Assetz.

  • PT reviews packager panel

    3 Apr 2006

    Personal Touch Financial Services is in due diligence with its packaging panel due to concerns that some firms may not be financially sound.

  • Putting the record straight on clubs' pricing models

    3 Apr 2006

    I refer to the 'advertorial' for Millfield in your 20 March issue and would like to put the record straight in respect of the different pricing models between mortgage clubs and networks.

  • Refresh your understanding of T&C

    3 Apr 2006

    The FSA is to conduct a review of its training and competency regime so this is a good time for management teams to refresh their understanding of this aspect of regulation, says Bill Warren.

  • Regulation not strangulation, says Landlord Mortgages

    5 Apr 2006

    Landlord Mortgages says that it hopes the mandatory 1,100 licence for Houses in Multiple Occupancy - set to come into effect on April 6 - wont lead to additional "draconian" requirements.

  • Retirement Plus bases IT infrastructure around eFirst Origin

    7 Apr 2006

    Retirement Plus, a new equity release solutions provider founded with financial backing from British Land and Delancey, has based its entire IT infrastructure around eFIRST Origin, the mortgage application processing system from BancTec.

  • Rooftop deals verified on ENC

    3 Apr 2006

    Rooftop Mortgages is the latest lender to have its products listed and verified on Trigold's ENC platform, which enables intermediaries to source sub-prime products.

  • Savvy consumers will value financial advice

    3 Apr 2006

    It is a commonly held belief that consumers in this country are not good at managing their money. "Just look at current levels of debt," say commentators.

  • Scarborough sells 500m portfolios

    3 Apr 2006

    Scarborough has sold two mortgage portfolios totalling almost 500m to Basinghall Finance, the joint venture between German banking giant WestLB Capital Markets and Home Funding.

  • Six in 10 men lose home after divorce, says AA Savings

    6 Apr 2006

    Women are more likely to benefit financially from divorce than their partners, with six in 10 men losing their marital homes following a relationship breakdown, research from AA Savings has revealed. With some estimates suggesting that one out of every two marriages now end in divorce, the research shows most parting couples prefer to be happy apart but poor, rather than unhappy but comfortably off.

  • Skipton launches 'mutual matters' advertising campaign

    4 Apr 2006

    Skipton has launched an advertising campaign which will see the mutual appearing on the nations TV screens for the first time in over 15 years, as well as on outdoor posters and in the press.

  • Smoking ban will be good for us all

    3 Apr 2006

    Scotland has taken the bold decision to lead the UK in the battle against smoking and the illnesses associated with it. The ban on smoking in public places, which was implemented on March 26, means an end to smoking in pubs, restaurants and other enclosed public places.

  • SMS launches online form

    3 Apr 2006

    Solent Mortgage Services has launched its generic application form on the Mortgage Trading Exchange, allowing brokers using it to submit mortgage business to SMS' branded lending partnerships.SMS has invested heavily in its web-based solution called The Porthole, which offers brokers access to its products, online agreementsin principle, Key Facts Illustrations and applications, as well as case tracking.

  • Swift Group strengthens management team

    7 Apr 2006

    Swift Group, the Brentwood based sub-prime lender has announced two key developments in its sales and marketing team.

  • The Money Programme investigates PPI industry

    7 Apr 2006

    A survey for BBC TWO's The Money Programme into the cost of Payment Protection Insurance reveals Britannia is the most expensive provider of PPI om a loan of 5,000 over three years after British Gas.

  • The Mortgage Mole

    3 Apr 2006

    Charles Johnson, Peter Charles, Jason Foran, John Kelly and Andrew Moss dug deep into their wardrobes and managed to pull together enough fake facial hair and dodgy outfits to recreate the original bad boys of disco, The Village People.

  • Time for the majority to step forward

    3 Apr 2006

    The image of estate agents has been tarnished by a minority and we must show the public this is not how most agents or intermediaries treat customers, says Richard Coulson

  • TMP St Georges day competition

    7 Apr 2006

    The Mortgage Partnership, the north west based mortgage packager, has today launched its St Georges Day competition as part of the run up to celebrations on April 23.

  • Top accolades for Platform at Mortgage Times awards

    5 Apr 2006

    Platform, the intermediary lender of Britannia, has scooped the prestigious Best Overall Lender prize at the 2006 annual Mortgage Times Awards.

  • Turner could be in line for Countryside role

    3 Apr 2006

    Speculation mounted last week that Grenville Turner has been offered Harry Hill's chief executive position at Countrywide after the former head of intermediary business at HBOS refused to comment on rumours to that effect.

  • Two, three and five-year fixed rates at 5.29%, from UCB

    7 Apr 2006

    UCB Home Loans, the specialist lender of Nationwide, is launching a range of new fixed and tracker rate mortgage products with effect from Monday April 10.

  • UKI Partnerships to set out its stall at 2006 BSA conference

    7 Apr 2006

    Insurance and motoring assistance business, UKI Partnerships will set out its stall for societies at this years Building Society Association conference.

  • Unity poised to launch B2L range

    3 Apr 2006

    Unity Homeloans is launching a range of buy-to-let products in April that will be available through members of the Professional Mortgage Packagers Alliance.

  • Watch out if you are offered a lead for Kevin in OL10

    3 Apr 2006

    I don't know if anyone else has had a call from CMS Consulting but according to the lady who has phoned me twice it could save me money on my mortgage by sending a mortgage adviser to see me.

  • We must shop the dodgy operators

    3 Apr 2006

    Reactions to programmes such as the BBC's Whistleblower about estate agents range from a sharp intake of breath and concerned shake of the head to a knowing sigh and a comment about biased journalism.

  • What are tenancy deposit schemes?

    5 Apr 2006

    Of interest to mortgage introducers involved in the residential buy-to-let sector will be new rules designed to protect the deposits of tenants in assured shorthold tenancies.

  • Whitechurch in MPPI deal

    3 Apr 2006

    The Whitechurch Network has teamed up with general insurance firm Securah to provide its advisers with access to monthly mortgage payment protection insurance products.

  • Whitechurch see upsurge in ARs

    7 Apr 2006

    Some 18 months since Mortgage Day, The Whitechurch Network says it's seeing the biggest increase of enquiries to join its mortgage network since pre regulation days.

  • Wolsey appointment

    3 Apr 2006

    Wolsey Securities, the specialist in 100% development finance, has appointed Paul Hollyman as a regional development director for the South-West.

  • Wolton Commercial appoints two more valuers

    5 Apr 2006

    Wolton Commercial, a division of Wolton Chartered Surveyors, one of the UKs largest independent firms of surveyors has made two key appointments to further develop and expand the business.

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