Mortgages

Gross lending up 15% at building societies

Gross mortgage lending by building societies was £1.8 billion in December, compared to £1.6 billion in November, an increase of 15%. Gross lending for 2009 totalled £18.6 billion compared to £37.5 billion in 2008.

Yorkshire Building Society launches fixed rate from 3.29%

Yorkshire Building Society has launched a 2 year fixed rate mortgage at 3.29% up to 60% LTV with a £1,195 fee which is currently the lowest 2 year fixed rate available direct to customers.

Mortgage brokers back in from the cold

Prior to the banking crisis, mortgage deals offered through brokers were not that different and in some instances more competitive than those offered through branches.

Further protections for sale and rent back customers

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published new rules and guidance which put in place a strong framework of consumer protection for vulnerable consumers in the sale and rent back (SRB) market.

Santander cuts tracker mortgage rates

From Friday (29 January), two tracker mortgages available from Santander and Alliance & Leicester branches will be reduced.

Aviva launches equity release DVD for customers

Aviva - one of the UK's leading providers of retirement solutions - has reaffirmed its commitment to the equity release market with the launch of a new customer DVD information pack.

Mortgages become 20% more affordable

Homeowners in England and Wales saw a 20 per cent drop in the proportion of their take-home pay spent on monthly mortgage repayments in 2009, according to the latest mortgage affordability research released by Woolwich, the mortgage arm of Barclays.

Platform joins Association of Mortgage Intermediaries

The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) announced that Platform has joined as an affiliate member.

Average mortgage rates falling across the board

‘Cash is King' has been the rule for some time for those buying a property, but new analysis from moneysupermarket.com (LSE: MONY) has shown that providers are beginning to loosen the purse strings with more products now available to mortgage borrowers with lower deposits or equity in their properties.

Mortgage lending strengthened slightly in December

Mortgage lending strengthened slightly in December, with gross lending inflated by some borrowers pushing through purchases ahead of the end of stamp duty relief, according to the British Bankers’ Association (BBA).

Borrowers in arrears to get more protection

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has set out a package of measures that will help to ensure that mortgage holders in arrears are treated fairly and which reinforces the FSA's tough stance in its battle against mortgage fraud.

Paragon Investment Properties goes global

Paragon Investment Properties, an investment property specialist dealing typically with UK and overseas residential and commercial opportunities, has set up a new division devoted to handling larger or bulk deals in both the residential and commercial sector, commodities and private funding.