Mortgage Strategy
20 November 2006

  • MP slams Farepak boss

    20 Nov 2006

    MP Jack Straw has slammed shamed Farepak owner Sir Clive Thompson after he blamed the Christmas hamper firm's failure on HBOS. Sir Clive was quoted as saying that the bank was "hanging the firm out to dry". However, Straw deemed this comment to be "shameless", as Farepak was well aware of its financial difficulties even though it continued to advertise its product.

  • Paymentshield sorted me out but others are still waiting

    20 Nov 2006

    From Eddie Royce

  • Platform unveils two products

    20 Nov 2006

    Platform has launched a buy-to-let three-year tracker and a self-cert two-year tracker. The products are available up to 90% LTV via the following Platform partners - Home of Choice, Legal & General Mortgage Club, Mortgage Intelligence, Openwork, Personal Touch Financial Services, Pink Home Loans, Premier Mortgage Service and Sesame.

  • Poor pay more for credit, says MP

    20 Nov 2006

    Poor people who get access to credit pay the highest charges for it, says Treasury Select Committee chairman John McFall. The MP says early action is needed to tackle high-cost credit and illegal lending if the government is to make meaningful progress in combating financial exclusion.

  • TMB reveals its new look

    20 Nov 2006

    The Mortgage Business has unveiled a new logo, calendar and supporting cast of superhero characters designed to represent the attributes of the lender.

  • 19% of estate agents cannot describe a HIP, says Easier2move

    21 Nov 2006

    Easier2move has released the results of its ‘HIP Awareness’ Index, revealing that with eight months to the launch of HIPs, 19% of estate agents are still unable to describe what a HIP is with some degree of accuracy, compared with 11% in September.

  • 70% of landlords club together with family members

    24 Nov 2006

    Research from Standard Life Bank has found that 70% of professional landlords have teamed with spouses, partners and children to invest in bricks and mortar to secure their financial future .

  • 73% Of brokers disapprove of borrowing age limit

    20 Nov 2006

    Some 73% of Mortgage Strategy Online readers say lenders should not impose a maximum age limit on borrowers. Just 27% think they should.This week, Mortgage Strategy asks: "Is a second charge loan a viable alternative to remortgaging for sub-prime clients?"Q: Should lenders impose a maximum age limit on borrowers?

  • AMI census finds recruitment static

    20 Nov 2006

    The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries' October census reveals a static market for mortgage adviser recruitment. Most firms have not recruited any advisers in the past 12 months. Research conducted among AMI members shows 80% of firms did not hire new advisers in the past year. When asked whether they intended to recruit in the next six months, only 20% said yes.

  • Awards ceremonies are a waste of time and money

    20 Nov 2006

    From Rick Gifford

  • B2L discount deal from Freedom

    20 Nov 2006

    Freedom Lending has launched a two-year discounted buy-to-let deal with a rental calculation based on 120% at the pay rate. There is 1.36% discount up to 75% LTV, 1.26% discount up to 80% LTV and 1.16% discount up to 85% LTV.

  • B2L will remain strong, says UCB

    20 Nov 2006

    Nationwide's specialist lender says immigration from other EU countries has given significant support to the sector and is unlikely to decline over the next few years, despite predictions to the contrary.

  • Banks must avoid lending temptation

    20 Nov 2006

    Banks are queuing up to sell off their mortgage books and it is to be hoped that the financial cushion this provides will not tempt them into reckless lending, says Richard Coulson

  • BDM of the week

    20 Nov 2006

    Judith Brandrick is our key link with the Mortgage Times Group's head office and she's always on hand to help out with tricky cases, says John Hodgekins

  • Big may be beautiful but flexibility is better

    20 Nov 2006

    There has been plenty of talk about the advantages of size in recent months.

  • BM Solutions defends choice of Hometrack for POS-O

    20 Nov 2006

    BM Solutions has defended its decision to use Hometrack for the launch of its point-of-sale offer system despite parent HBOS having a 21.7% equity stake in rival automated valuation model provider Rightmove.

  • Bolton leads bidding for Kylie concert tickets

    20 Nov 2006

    Kylie, as an ambassador for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, has reserved the tickets for her concert on January 5 next year at Wembley Arena.

  • Britannia offers 40-year mortgages

    20 Nov 2006

    Britannia is increasing its maximum mortgage term to 40 years.Tim Franklin, managing director of Britannia's member business, says: "As a responsible lender we looked at ways for aspiring first-time buyers to overcome affordability problems so we have revisited our policy on mortgage terms."

  • Brokers back the flexibility of bidding

    20 Nov 2006

    Brokers have praised eBay-style bidding as a way of buying leads despite criticism from lead generation firm Mortgage Angels that it is a waste of time.

  • Brokers must stop arguing and position themselves for the introduction of HIPs

    20 Nov 2006

    From Neal Smith

  • Buy-to-share deal could help first-time buyers

    20 Nov 2006

    Stroud & Swindon has launched a buy-to-share product that allows home buyers to borrow more by taking into account income gained by renting out a spare room.

  • C&G launches intermediary-only products

    23 Nov 2006

    C&G is launching a range of intermediary-only products.

  • Capita buys software firm

    20 Nov 2006

    Capita has bought software provider Synaptic Systems.Synaptic tools allow IFAs to research markets including pensions, life, health, investments and mortgages.

  • Cash boost allows Personal Touch to step out on the acquisition trail

    20 Nov 2006

    Personal Touch Financial Services is on the acquisition trail following a cash injection from Lloyds Development Capital, part of the Lloyds TSB group.

  • Cause for concern

    20 Nov 2006

    The government's Open Market HomeBuy scheme extends help beyond key workers but it has met with an underwhelming response, with fears that applicants may not get independent advice and that better deals are available, says Harvey Jones

  • CHL unveils 90% B2L deal

    20 Nov 2006

    CHL Mortgages has joined edeus and GE Money Home Lending by launching a 90% LTV buy-to-let mortgage.

  • CML urges the government to reform housing industry

    20 Nov 2006

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has urged the government to increase support for mortgage borrowers who fall into payment difficulties and renew its commitment to sustainable home-ownership.

  • Cooling off on sunshine deals

    20 Nov 2006

    Conti Financial has called for a mandatory 14-day cooling-off period on overseas property deals. Simon Conn, managing director of Conti Financial, says: "Too many people run into these deals like headless chickens. Most people only get one shot at this sort of thing and these properties represent their dreams. So let them stop, go home, think and then talk to an independent adviser."

  • CurriculumVitae

    20 Nov 2006

    "I ran the London Marathon and then went training for a mountain marathon, wrecking my knees"

  • DB boosts its sub-prime criteria

    20 Nov 2006

    DB Mortgages has stepped up its presence in the sub-prime specialist market with several improvements to its lending criteria.The changes follow an internal review and feedback from packagers.

  • Dear Delia

    20 Nov 2006

    Dear Delia My clients are interested in protecting themselves from Inheritance Tax on a property that is getting above the lower limit, and in providing for their long-term care if they need it.

  • Desktop sourcing will be history within three years

    20 Nov 2006

    From Richard Griffiths

  • Diversity makes for interesting times

    20 Nov 2006

    I always thought 'May you live in interesting times' was a Chinese curse brought to public attention by Robert Kennedy during a speech in Cape Town in 1966. But if he made it up, which many now believe, how wrong was he?

  • Edeus becomes AMI associate

    20 Nov 2006

    Edeus has become an associate member of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries.Rob Griffiths, associate-director of AMI, says: "To effectively represent intermediaries we need support from all parts of the sector." Alan Cleary, managing director of edeus, says: "We recognise the valuable work AMI carries out."

  • Election will be the last word in HIPs argument

    20 Nov 2006

    In recent years, few initiatives have polarised the financial services industry to the same degree as the government's proposed overhaul and reform of the house purchase process.

  • Enterprise appointment

    20 Nov 2006

    Enterprise Group has promoted Mark Lovelock to director of corporate accounts.Lovelock has been with the firm for four years, first as regional business development manager and then as head of corporate accounts.

  • European rules could affect intermediaries

    20 Nov 2006

    The European regulatory agenda continues to have a huge impact on the UK financial services sector.

  • Faster conveyancing with Evaluate

    20 Nov 2006

    Primrose and LMS have formed a partnership to provide intermediaries using the Evaluate online system with a streamlined conveyancing process.

  • Fast-track credit repair from MPLC

    20 Nov 2006

    Mortgages PLC is launching a mortgage which allows borrowers to repair their credit record after just 12 months. The product, which it says is the first of its kind in the UK sub-prime market, allows borrowers to remortgage without incurring onerous redemption charges. Available from November 20, MPLC says this is a major development for the adverse sector in which it is normal for mortgages to carry early repayment charges for periods of two or three years.The MPLC product offers a ...

  • Fears recede over base rate rise

    20 Nov 2006

    Fears of another base rate rise were partially alleviated last week after the Bank of England's inflation report indicated that further hikes may not be necessary.

  • First And Last

    20 Nov 2006

    Andy Pratt, chief operating officer, Alexander Hall

  • FirstRungNow.com launches Right to Buy scheme

    20 Nov 2006

    FirstRungNow.com has launched a service on its site, provided by First Home Direct that offers a Right to Buy scheme.

  • Freedom launches three-year fixed rates

    22 Nov 2006

    Freedom Lending, the prime niche lending subsidiary of Merrill Lynch, has added a range of three-year fixed rates to its product portfolio.

  • Freehold heals shares rift

    20 Nov 2006

    Freehold says it has re-solved internal issues over the shareholding of its lender, avoiding a rift.

  • FSA contact centre accredited

    20 Nov 2006

    The Financial Services Authority's firms contact centre has been accredited by professional body the Contact Centre Association.

  • FSA fines mortgage firm for cold-calling

    21 Nov 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has fined Capital Mortgage Connections £17,500 for rule breaches including cold calling potential customers.

  • FSA publishes anti-money laundering tool

    23 Nov 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has published an anti-money laundering self-assessment tool.

  • FSA sets out costs and benefits of MIFID

    24 Nov 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has published a paper setting out its assessment of the overall costs and benefits for the financial services industry of implementing the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive in the UK.

  • FSA signs agreement with the CFTC

    20 Nov 2006

    The Financial Services Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States' Commodities and Futures Trading Commission to strengthen cooperation on the exchange of regulatory information.

  • FTBs can afford to pay more

    20 Nov 2006

    Affordability models have been credited with a 0.3% rise in the price first-time buyers are able to pay for their properties, raising the average amount they pay for a house to £152,633.

  • GEMHL appointment

    20 Nov 2006

    GE Money Home Lending has appointed Steve Wright as head of new product development. Wright held a number of marketing roles at GEMHL over four years before taking on this role.Previously, he gained over 15 years' financial services experience across a variety of sectors working for Abbey, Natwest and Prudential.

  • Generators are better than brokers' websites for leads

    20 Nov 2006

    From Simon Baker

  • Genworth signs three-year MI deal with Skipton

    20 Nov 2006

    Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance has signed a three-year deal to supply mortgage insurance to Skipton.

  • Get off the sidelines and get involved with HIPs

    20 Nov 2006

    As you're probably aware, the Home Information Pack dry run is underway in six towns across the country - Bath, Cambridge, Huddersfield, Newcastle, Northampton and Southampton.

  • Get tougher on estate agents

    20 Nov 2006

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is calling for more action to regulate estate agents after the Queen's Speech last week recommended agents join a redress scheme.

  • Great service is the key to retaining clients

    20 Nov 2006

    Brokers must have been spooked by the latest statistics from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. It seems that the level of remortgaging now stands at a five-year low.

  • HCRs could still be a part of HIPs

    20 Nov 2006

    HCRs were removed as a compulsory component of HIPs in July by the government due to spiralling costs and a lack of backing from the industry. But eConveyancer warns that they could still be included.

  • Heading for the sun

    20 Nov 2006

    Advantage is sending Julie Lowe, adviser at Partnership Mortgage Solutions, off to the luxurious Sandy Lane Spa Resort in Barbados after she was picked by Mortgage Strategy's publisher Patrick Ponsford as the winner in a prize draw.Ponsford made the draw from thousands of entries at last week's Mortgage Business Expo.The competition was organised to celebrate the launch of the Advantage's ADV sub-prime product range.

  • Help clients to prepare for the worst

    20 Nov 2006

    Any adviser who minimises the effect that rising interest rates and a cooler economic climate could have on clients' repayments should be disbarred, says Sue Read

  • High LTV deals can pay off for clients

    20 Nov 2006

    BM Solutions' Mortgage Plus product has come in for criticism but such high LTV deals can work well for some borrowers if they take independent advice, says Ray Boulger

  • If Paymentshield lives by the sword it will die by the sword

    20 Nov 2006

    From Lee Martin

  • IN Partnership adopts Defaqto’s Aequos Engage

    21 Nov 2006

    IN Partnership is to provide Defaqto’s Aequos Engage product selection tool as part of its partnership package.

  • Industry defends B2L record

    20 Nov 2006

    The Association of Residential Letting Agents and the Council of Mortgage Lenders have rebutted press claims that buy-to-lets make up a large slice of mortgage repossessions.

  • Instant payments from Easier2move

    20 Nov 2006

    Easier2move is launching a payment facility that will allow payment on the day of completion for referrers. The system is available on all remortgage and sale and purchase work.

  • Interbay launches new website

    22 Nov 2006

    Commercial mortgage lender InterBay has launched a new website for intermediaries. 

  • Interest-only splits brokers

    20 Nov 2006

    Brokers are split over whether they would offer a first-time buyer an interest-only mortgage, shows research by Alliance & Leicester.

  • Is lending to people aged over 65 a good idea or is it asking for trouble?

    20 Nov 2006

    Given demographic change and anti-ageism legislation, extending lending to people aged over 65 is a positive move, say our experts.

  • It's a Mini-adventure

    20 Nov 2006

    Visitors to the Mortgage Strat-egy stand at this year's Mortgage Business Expo had the chance to win a brandnew Mini Cooper courtesy of Platform.The Mini Cooper was won by Diane Moore, group relationship manager at BDS Mortgage Group.Our picture shows Richard Beardshaw, sales director of Platform, Diane Moore and Mortgage Strategy editor Robyn Hall.

  • IVA specialists are set to ride the debt spiral

    20 Nov 2006

    Government figures reveal the shocking truth. Over 26,000 people became insolvent during the second quarter of 2006 - an increase of 66.3% over last year. Extrapolate these figures and insolvencies could exceed 100,000 this year and sail past 150,000 by the end of 2007.

  • JCS links with Assureweb

    20 Nov 2006

    JCS, an IFA software houses, has integrated with Assureweb’s quotation system.

  • Journalists such as Isabelle Kassam are good for us all

    20 Nov 2006

    From Mike Lazenby

  • Kensington Group reports increased profits

    22 Nov 2006

    In 2006 Kensington has continued to show solid growth particularly in its newer markets in Ireland and second-charge mortgage lending in the UK.

  • KGB launches mortgage club

    20 Nov 2006

    KGB, has launched its First Source Direct mortgage club, to increase the amount of lenders and submission options that it can offer to its brokers.

  • KPMG says pre-Budget report will be positive

    23 Nov 2006

    Accountants KPMG predict an upbeat statement from the chancellor in December for this year's pre-Budget Report.

  • Kylie competition hots up as Bolton's bid is beaten

    24 Nov 2006

    Michael Bolton’s £4,500 bid to win front row tickets to a Kylie concert has been knocked off the top spot just a day before the auction closes.

  • L&G joins forces with Arun

    21 Nov 2006

    Legal & General has been selected for the role of life and protection product provider for Arun Estates.

  • L&G Partnership Services celebrates second birthday

    24 Nov 2006

    Legal & General Partnership Services is celebrating its second anniversary.

  • Landlord Mortgages launches Lettingagent.com

    21 Nov 2006

    Landlord Mortgages has launched a lettings agency for both landlords and tenants

  • Lead generation is about quality rather than quantity

    20 Nov 2006

    From Hugo Craggs

  • Leadbay expands staff numbers

    20 Nov 2006

    Lead generation provider Leadbay has expanded its team by 20% in the past month and is continuing to appoint customer service staff. Leadbay first launched its leads bidding system in January 2005 with under 10 staff but now has 30 employees. The company says it is expanding its customer service team to ensure that it remains responsive to advisers' needs.

  • Leadbay is taking brokers for a ride on life quotes

    20 Nov 2006

    Name and address supplied

  • Leeds raises £10,300 for Children in Need

    24 Nov 2006

    Leeds raised £10,300 last Friday for the 2006 BBC Children in Need appeal.

  • Lender unease over Shah's wooden homes

    20 Nov 2006

    Newspaper publisher and author Eddie Shah is building 44 environmentally-friendly wooden lodges that he says will save 60% of the cost of running a house.

  • Lenders are taking a long-term view

    20 Nov 2006

    Extended mortgage repayment periods have come in for criticism in the national media but lenders are being responsible and helping aspiring first-time buyers, says Sally Laker

  • Lenders should cherish their clients, not push them away

    20 Nov 2006

    From Andrew Botte

  • Lending remains robust ahead of November rate rise

    20 Nov 2006

    Mortgage lending rose by £5.5bn in October, the latest figures from the Major British Banking Groups has revealed.

  • Lib Dems round on banks

    20 Nov 2006

    The Liberal Democrats have warned the government not to rely on banks to tackle social exclusion. Last week the Treasury Select Committee report published a report that slammed financial organisations for charging poor people proportionally more. Vincent Cable, shadow chancellor for the Lib Dems, says: "Some banks regard current accounts as a nuisance and have little commitment to developing them."

  • Lib Dems slam Cameron’s debt plan

    20 Nov 2006

    Responding to the Conservatives’ plans to tackle personal debt, the Liberal Democrats have criticised the Tories’ view of the current personal debt crisis.

  • Magazines make it easy for criminals out to steal ID

    20 Nov 2006

    From Des Tourick

  • Marketing Brief

    20 Nov 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

    20 Nov 2006

    It was good to see swaps edge downwards last week but almost all of the decent fixed rates have already been repriced upwards.

  • MDA and NHBC team up on HIPs

    20 Nov 2006

    Home Information Pack provider MDA Advantage and the National House Building Council are to work together to develop the packs.

  • Me and my car

    20 Nov 2006

    I have always loved Jaguars but with two teenage sons and their gear to cart around I plumped for the BMW 330Ci - a heady mix of power and responsibility, says Paul Holden

  • Media is looking for bad news in the property market

    20 Nov 2006

    From Michael Curran

  • Merrill takes Oakwood stake

    20 Nov 2006

    Merrill Lynch expanded its mortgage empire last week with the acquisition of a 45% stake in Oakwood Financial, the parent company of edeus.

  • Mform taps into online mortgages

    20 Nov 2006

    mortgage price comparison website mform has been launched to tap into the growing numbers of mortgages completed online.

  • Midddle market firms at risk warns KPMG

    22 Nov 2006

    The latest survey from KPMG, shows there is growing concerns that many middle market companies are at risk by not managing their cash effectively.

  • MiFID qualifications alarm

    20 Nov 2006

    Brokers could work unqualified throughout their careers under Markets in Financial Instruments legislation.

  • Milton Freidman dies aged 94

    20 Nov 2006

    Milton Freidman, the inspiration for many of Margaret Thatcher's economic policies, has died aged 94.The economist who coined the phrase "There's no such thing as a free lunch" was the man who proved that inflation could be controlled by targeting the supply of money. This theory became monetarism.Dr Freidman won the Nobel prize for economics in 1976. He died in San Francisco.

  • Money Partners' direct move

    20 Nov 2006

    Money Partners has launched its direct-to-broker brand Money Partners Touch following the acquisition of brokerage Residential 1 for an undisclosed sum.

  • Moneypilot goes for Trigold

    20 Nov 2006

    Online financial advice provider moneypilot.co.uk has chosen Trigold as its exclusive mortgage sourcing system. Moneypilot.co.uk allows customers to access mortgage and insurance advice through an online and telephone session, now enabled by Trigold software.

  • Mortgage clubs redress the balance of power

    20 Nov 2006

    Since they came into existence, mortgage clubs and networks have been at the forefront of promoting the interests of intermediaries and their customers.

  • Mortgage Next teams up with edeus

    21 Nov 2006

    Edeus has agreed to be one of the passport panel of lenders for Mortgage Next.

  • Mortgage PLC launches IVA product

    20 Nov 2006

    Mortgages PLC has launched a credit repair product specifically designed to help borrowers wanting to satisfy an existing Individual Voluntary Arrangements.

  • Mortgage Times links with Trigold

    21 Nov 2006

    The Mortgage Times Group has fully integrated with Trigold’s E-Trading Centre.

  • Mortgage tracking by mobile phone

    20 Nov 2006

    Conveyancing Mobile has lau-nched a tracking system that allows clients and conveyancers to communicate via mobile internet technology.

  • MPLC launches training scheme

    20 Nov 2006

    Mortgages PLC has launched a scheme to help develop business development managers.MPLC has created three positions for graduates and people looking to move into a field sales role. The scheme aims to equip participants with an understanding of mortgage lending and a BDM's role.

  • N4 boss prepares for a cool month in the Arctic

    20 Nov 2006

    Steve Jones (pictured), chief executive of mortgage technology provider N4, is taking part in an epic 350-mile race to the North Pole.

  • NAEA prepares for HIPs

    21 Nov 2006

    The National Association of Estate Agent’s recent steps to prepare its members for the introduction of Home Information Packs has been welcomed by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers.

  • Nationwide sees lending rise

    20 Nov 2006

    Nationwide's half-year results show gross residential lending up 34% to £14.5bn over the corresponding period last year.Net lending was up almost 50% to £5.9bn, the number of mortgage sales were up 17% and the society appeared in mortgage best buy tables 272 times between April and September 2006.

  • Newcastle launches new Property bond

    21 Nov 2006

    Newcastle has launched a new five-year term Guaranteed Property Bond with returns linked to any growth in the Halifax house price index.

  • Online reporting system for D&D

    20 Nov 2006

    D&D Homecare has launched an online reporting system for its standard ASU policies and its new three4free products.The system will instantly show brokers their monthly and single premium policies as well as commission reports and details on all their policies, whether live or in the pipeline.

  • Only 11% see mortgage protection as a priority

    20 Nov 2006

    Lack of awareness has been blamed for just 11% of borrowers in the UK considering mortgage payment protection insurance to be a priority.

  • Out of commission come many virtues

    20 Nov 2006

    The Financial Service Authority's decision to consider commission in its retail distribution review is no great surprise. The FSA wants to consider whether the model harms the reputation of advisers. It wants to know why financial advisers are not held in the same public regard as solicitors and the like. Could this be because of commission?

  • Overseas advice centre at Expo

    20 Nov 2006

    Last week, Goldsmith Williams Overseas hosted London's first overseas legal advice centre the Mortgage Business Expo. Bringing together legal partners from countries including Spain, Cyprus and Turkey, attendees had the opportunity to get guidance on how best to advise clients considering buying property overseas.

  • Pack to the future

    20 Nov 2006

    Whether they are a good idea or not the government is about to start pushing home information packs so brokers must be ready to help their clients, says Melanie Bien

  • Paragon increases buy-to-let lending by 82%

    22 Nov 2006

    The Paragon group has announced profits of £82.8m, with buy-to-let lending increasing by 82% in the 12 months to 30 September 2006.

  • Paymentshield introducers face a future of beer and skittles

    20 Nov 2006

    From Bill Thomson

  • Paymentshield move may have been a takeover sweetener

    20 Nov 2006

    From Allen Smoker

  • Paymentshield policy on renewal commission is fair

    20 Nov 2006

    From Chris Traynor

  • Paymentshield said I would have to write to my clients

    20 Nov 2006

    From SM Foster

  • Personal Touch launches Platform tracker

    21 Nov 2006

    Personal Touch Financial Services has launched of a self-cert two-year semi exclusive tracker funded by Platform, the intermediary lender of Britannia.

  • Piece together the Stonehaven options

    20 Nov 2006

    Finally, after much speculation, the announcement came last week. Following in the footsteps of Partnership Home Loans and Retirement Plus, Stonehaven became the third provider to join equity release body Safe Home Income Plans this year.

  • Pink launches its 1000 Index Survey

    21 Nov 2006

    Pink’s Pink 1000 Index Survey will be launched on November 21, asking registered intermediaries to provide their thoughts and opinions on the recent rate rise, lender retention strategy, AVM’s and instant mortgage offers.

  • Pink to hold AR conference in February 2007

    21 Nov 2006

    Pink Home Loans is to hold its first annual appointed representatives sales conference in February 2007.

  • Pink training day teaches advisers

    20 Nov 2006

    Pink Home Loans' members last week had a day of training and development to help them learn more about the mortgage market. Advisers had the opportunity to listen to guest speakers making presentations on subjects such as secured loans and edeus's plans for the intermediary market. David Copland, sales and marketing director at Pink Home Loans, says: "The seminars were informative and popular. It was great to get the vast majority of our appointed representatives in one place to share ...

  • Platform named best sub-prime lender by Hamptons

    24 Nov 2006

    Platform, the intermediary lender of Britannia, has scooped the best sub-prime lender prize at the 2006 annual Hamptons Awards held at the Vinopolis Wine Museum.

  • Play makes drama out of debt crisis

    20 Nov 2006

    Art imitates life in a new play by Dennis Kelly called Love and Money which takes a look at the world of debt.

  • PMPA exclusive from Platform

    20 Nov 2006

    The Professional Mortgage Packagers Alliance is offering an exclusive deal from Platform which gives a 10 basis point reduction on its three-year prime buy-to-let tracker.

  • Policy director for the OFT

    20 Nov 2006

    The Office of Fair Trading has appointed Jonathan May to the post of executive director of policy and strategy.

  • POS technology may worry FSA

    20 Nov 2006

    Conveyancers say that point-of-sale technology in the mortgage industry has progressed so far that the Financial Services Authority may ask for a cooling-off period.

  • PPI regulation could push up loan rates

    20 Nov 2006

    Enforced regulation of the payment protection insurance market could adversely affect the secured and unsecured loans industry as lenders try to recoup the lost revenue involved, Uswitch.com warns.

  • Price paramount when selecting GI provider

    21 Nov 2006

    Select & Protect has revealed that despite the ongoing criticism of industry-wide misselling and the treatment of customers, price is still the most important factor when recommending general insurance providers.

  • Primemove adds sold prices to its database

    23 Nov 2006

    Househunters now have unlimited access to the details of properties that have been sold across the UK in the last 12 months when searching for a property on primemove.com.

  • Principality now live on MTE

    21 Nov 2006

    Principality has become the latest lender to go live on the Mortgage Trading Exchange.

  • Protection racket faces judgement

    20 Nov 2006

    The protection industry faces referral to the Competition Commission. As things stand it deserves no better and more competition would be good for clients, says Simon Burgess

  • Pundits slam high income multiple deals as deadly

    20 Nov 2006

    Industry pundits have slammed high income multiples on variable and long-term fixed rates as "dangerous" and "deadly".

  • Quick thinking...

    20 Nov 2006

    A weekend's loan of a Ferrari F430 supercar was up for grabs on QuickBridge's stand at the Mortgage Business Expo last week.Entrants to the competition, run in association with Mortgage Strategy, had to say why they deserved the use of the car.The winner was Surrey-based adviser John Boyce (pictured are QuickBridge managing director Zishan Khan, Mortgage Strategy editor Robyn Hall and friends), who said: "It would be good to taste the other side of wealth management."

  • Rating watch could hit Rooftop securitisation

    20 Nov 2006

    Rooftop Mortgages suffered a blow last week after Fitch Ratings put out a negative rating watch that could result in its second securitisation downgrading.

  • Remortgaging bubble starts to deflate

    20 Nov 2006

    It seems the obsession with remortgaging could be fading, given the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. They reveal that remortgaging reached its lowest level for five years in September. That month it accounted for just 30% of the market by value - a big drop from 42% at the same time last year.

  • Remortgaging hits new low

    20 Nov 2006

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders has revealed that remortgaging has reached its lowest level for five years.

  • RICS joins Tenancy Deposit Scheme

    23 Nov 2006

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has been approved as part of the Dispute Service component of the Department for Communities and Local Government's Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

  • Ridings lament Paymentshield action

    20 Nov 2006

    The sons of Richard Riding, co-founder of Paymentshield, say they are "heartbroken" at the way the company's good name is being "dragged through the mud" because of its decision to cut off commission payments to unregulated brokers.

  • Rubicon aims software at smaller packagers

    20 Nov 2006

    Software provider Rubicon Software Group is launching a sourcing system for packagers.

  • Rugby stars kick off Wooden Spoon challenge

    20 Nov 2006

    England rugby legends Dean Richards and Martin Bayfield helped launch applications for the 2007 Wooden Spoon Four Peaks Corporate Challenge last week.

  • Salt unveils B2L deals for brokers

    20 Nov 2006

    Salt has launched a range of buy-to-let mortgages to the intermediary market. Following its self-cert and sub-prime ranges, Salt is offering a three-year fixed rate buy-to-let at 5.60% and a three-year base rate buy-to-let tracker at 5.75%. The buy-to-let range offers rates at up to 90% LTV with a rental cover requirement of 115%.

  • Scarborough launches sub-prime range

    21 Nov 2006

    Scarborough is to offer its sub-prime products to the wider broker market earlier than planned. Scarborough Specialist Mortgages is planning to make its new sub-prime products available to all brokers.

  • Solution that could make things worse

    20 Nov 2006

    Arguably, the climate has never been tougher for first-time buyers. But the government's latest initiative - its expanded shared equity scheme, Open Market Homebuy - could end up aggravating the problem it was set up to help solve.

  • Spas seduce home buyers

    20 Nov 2006

    Halifax has revealed that home buyers will pay more to live in a spa town. All 18 spa towns have higher average house prices than comparable towns in their regions, while 16 out of 18 have higher prices than neighbouring towns.

  • Stable prices could add up to trouble

    20 Nov 2006

    We could see a stabilisation of house prices soon which would lead to a drop in new business volumes for brokers and over-optimistic lenders being left high and dry, says Frank Eve

  • Stroud & Swindon releases buy-to-share product

    20 Nov 2006

    Stroud & Swindon has launched a buy-to-share financing option which is available for on all its residential products.

  • Stroud & Swindon launches fixes

    20 Nov 2006

    Stroud & Swindon has launched a range of two-year fixed rate products including a two-year fix at 5.09% which reverts to base rate plus 0.99%.

  • Stroud and Swindon expands buy-to-let range

    24 Nov 2006

    Stroud and Swindon has expanded its buy-to-let range with four products designed for investors looking to protect their portfolios against further interest rate rises.

  • Students help secure future of buy-to-let

    20 Nov 2006

    Buy-to-let is one of the most talked-about topics in our industry. Barely a week goes by without statistics coming out on how the market is performing.

  • Sub-prime offer from AToM

    20 Nov 2006

    All Types of Mortgages is offering free valuations on sub-prime mortgages from GMAC-RFC with a discounted rate of £99 for its panel of on-site lenders.

  • Success at Expo for em-

    20 Nov 2006

    Mortgage packager em-financial has reported the number of visitors to its two stands at the London Mortgage Expo has broken all known records for the company.

  • Swift absorbs base rate rise

    21 Nov 2006

    The Swift Group has revealed that for the second time in succession, it will not follow the bank base rate rise with an immediate increase in rates.

  • Swift expands Brentwood HQ

    20 Nov 2006

    The Swift Group is expanding its head office in Brentwood to meet the requirements of new customers and support a rapid increase in the company's business volumes.

  • Tax transparency

    20 Nov 2006

    Conservative shadow chancellor George Osborne says he would require the Treasury to run a special website showing where tax money is spent.

  • Tenet appointment

    20 Nov 2006

    The Tenet Group has appointed Rupert Robson as non-executive member of the Tenet main board.Robson worked for 10 years for Schroders, three years for Citigroup Global Markets and most recently was global head of the financial institutions group at HSBC Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets.

  • The Mortgage Mole

    20 Nov 2006

    Digging the dirt in the mortgage world.

  • Think about fixed deals as interest rates rise

    20 Nov 2006

    Since 1998, interest rates have been on a downward trend. I am sure the older people among us remember that in October 1992 the Bank of England base rate stood at 15%.

  • This Week's Dilemna

    20 Nov 2006

    I have heard of the new legislation concerning age discrimination but I'm not 100% sure how it will affect my firm. We are a medium-sized company of 25 mortgage advisers. I understand that I cannot advertise for someone of a certain age when I'm recruiting and can't dismiss someone on the basis of age but I've even heard of companies banning birthday cards in case they say the wrong thing. Surely this is taking things too far, or do we all need to go to these lengths to stay within the law??

  • Title deed

    20 Nov 2006

    Marshall James & Co was founded in 1982 in the hey-day of Thatcherite Britain. The firm's two founding partners had the surnames Marshall and James, so the name of the firm was something of a no-brainer.

  • TMB joins L&G's mortgage club

    21 Nov 2006

    Legal & General has appointed The Mortgage Business to its mortgage club.

  • Too slow to react to base rate changes

    20 Nov 2006

    As was universally expected, the Bank of England base rate went up recently. Thoughts immediately turned to the ramifications for borrowers and whether they will be able to handle the increased mortgage payments.

  • Validus offers access to French mortgages

    20 Nov 2006

    French property specialist Validus Invest has launched a financial advice arm to help borrowers fund their purchases via French lenders.

  • Woolwich B2L process simplified

    20 Nov 2006

    Woolwich is improving its buy-to-let proposition by simplifying documentation requirements.For loans up to £500,000 and with a maximum LTV of 75%, proof of income is no longer required. Also, for loans greater than 75% LTV only the latest payslip and bank statement for the principal applicant is needed.

  • Would you be prepared to take out a 57-year mortgage?

    20 Nov 2006

    It was revealed last week that Abbey can stretch to provide a mortgage with a whopping term of 57 years depending on client circumstances. Other lenders such as Tesco Personal Finance and Halifax are offering similar half-century deals in an attempt to help first-timers get on the property ladder. So this week Mortgage Strategy asks would you be prepared to take out a 57-year mortgage?

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