Mortgage approvals rise in December

The increase in total net lending to individuals in December (£2.2 billion) was higher than the November increase, but below the previous six-month average, according to the Bank of England (BoE).

The twelve-month growth rate slowed further, to 3.6%, and the three-month annualised growth rate ticked up by 0.2 percentage points to 1.5%.

Within the total, the increase in net lending secured on dwellings (£1.9 billion) was higher than the November increase and the previous six-month average. The twelve-month growth rate slowed further, to 3.4%. The three-month annualised growth rate ticked up by 0.2 percentage points to 1.2%. The number of loans approved for house purchase (31,000) was higher than in November, that for remortgaging (36,000) was lower than in November and that for other purposes (32,000) was the same as in November. Approvals for each purpose were lower than their previous six-month average.

The increase in net consumer credit in December (£0.3 billion) was below the increase in November and the previous six-month average. Net credit card lending decreased by £0.1 billion (a net repayment) and net other loans and advances rose by £0.4 billion. The annual growth rate of consumer credit continued to slow, to 5.0%; the three month annualised growth rate ticked up by 0.1 percentage points, to 2.9%.