Mortgages
UK mortgage approvals plummet
In August, net mortgage lending rose only by £2.1 billion; less than half the average rise over the previous six months, according to the British Bankers’ Association (BBA).
Saga: Which? report on equity release
Alex Edmans, Saga, responds to Which? Magazine report on equity release: "Saga welcomes the comments from Which? Magazine, which highlight the need to seek proper financial advice before committing to equity release.
Mortgages and increase in Libor rates
Commenting on the implications for mortgages with the rise of Libor rates, Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "The ominous move of Libor rates, up in the past week by around 0.3 per cent, can only mean one thing; mortgage rate increases are on the way.
Equity release is not a product of last resort
Andrea Rozario, Director General of Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), the trade body for equity release, responds to the Which? guide: "It seems to me that Which? has a very outdated view on equity release and has not taken into consideration the market advancements of the past decade, let alone the last twelve months.
Equity release a last resort for elderly homeowners
Pensioners struggling to make ends meet should only turn to equity release if there is no other option, warns 'Care Options in Retirement', a new Which? essential guide.
Preventing intermediary lenders SLS access is madness, says IMLA
Peter Williams, executive director of IMLA, responds to the Bank of England's decision to extend the term of its Special Liquidity Scheme: "While the Bank's decision to extend the SLS term for most lenders is to be welcomed, this move does little to improve the current state of liquidity in the mortgage market.
Endowment providers slash final bonuses
Three leading mortgage endowment providers have cut their bonuses by up to 10 per cent in just six months.
UCB launches new buy to let and self certification mortgages
UCB Home Loans has launched a new range of buy to let and self certification products with rates starting from 5.54%.
moneysupermarket.com comments on HBOS and Lloyds TSB
Commenting on the effect a merger between HBOS and Lloyds TSB would have on the mortgage market, Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Between the two giants of British Banking they control six major mortgage brands -
Standard Life Bank cuts Freestyle mortgage rates and fees
Standard Life Bank has announced further rate and fee cuts across several of its Freestyle flexible mortgage product ranges.
Mortgage lending declines in August
Gross lending totalled an estimated £21.8 billion in August, a 12% fall from July and a 36% fall from August 2007, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
It's win / win with Britannia
Britannia has reduced the rate of its three and five year fixed rate mortgages, including its member only option, as well as cutting its two year discount tracker.
Effect of Lehman Brothers' collapse on UK mortgage market
Commenting on the effect of Lehman Brothers' collapse on the UK mortgage market, Louise Cuming, head of mortgages at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Lehman's collapse is a blow to the mortgage market.
Take your pick from the 5.99% fixes at the Coventry
Coventry, the fourth largest building society, is adding new fixed products to its existing range of mortgages.
Barclays announces rate cuts to mortgages
Woolwich is cutting rates on both fixed and lifetime tracker mortgages, and introducing a competitive new lending tier at 75% loan to value.