Graham Cox
Media Coverage
Bournemouth Echo
Nationwide mortgage changes ‘a kick in the teeth’ for buyers
Nationwide is increasing the sole applicant minimum income from £35,000 to £40,000 on popular mortgages
Oxford Mail
Nationwide mortgage changes ‘a kick in the teeth’ for buyers
Nationwide is increasing the sole applicant minimum income from £35,000 to £40,000 on popular mortgages
The Herald
Nationwide mortgage changes ‘a kick in the teeth’ for buyers
Nationwide is increasing the sole applicant minimum income from £35,000 to £40,000 on popular mortgages
Bridging & Commercial
'Bridging finance went ballistic in November' say brokers citing changes in BTL market as a factor
Brokers have reported seeing an exceptionally busy November for the bridging market.
Introducer Today
Bank of England “navigating treacherous waters” over rate decision - Introducer Today
Consensus remains that the Bank of England will cut rates by 0.25%
This Is Money
Close to half of self-employed people have faced mortgage rejection
Self-employed workers are often subjected to tougher checks, mainly because they are considered to have a more irregular or complex income and are therefore viewed as riskier by lenders.
Express.co.uk
Credit card debt surges by almost £5bn as punishing rates send bills spiralling
People who are relying on credit card to cover everyday expenses, such as food, clothes and energy, are facing punishing interest rate bills.
Financial Times
Credit card debt hits UK mortgage affordability
Outstanding card balances on the rise as interest rates remain high
FTAdviser
First time buyers’ 99% mortgage with £5k deposit launched
A 99 per cent mortgage product for first time buyers has been launched by Yorkshire Building Society and Accord mortgages.
Birmingham Live
Ofgem, Ofwat, Ofcom launch joint crackdown and it is ‘long overdue’
A joint letter from regulators has revealed they will target the finance and utility sectors for volume and tone of correspondence to vulnerable customers.
The Intermediary
“Rates may be higher for longer” as Dr. Catherine L Mann reappointed to MPC
A spokesperson said: “Dr. Mann will continue to hold the post until 31 August 2027.”
The Intermediary
FCA calls on firms to “improve debt collection practices”
The FCA is now urging firms to make sure to use supportive language, clearly signpost free debt advice and make it easy for debt advisers to contact them on behalf of clients.
The Intermediary
House prices up for fifth month on the spin, Halifax
The UK housing market sees a steady start to 2024 with a consistent rise in house prices, as industry experts call for interest rate cuts to sustain growth and support homebuyers.
The Intermediary
Plans for 99% mortgages apparently scrapped - reaction from brokers
This comes following January reports that the Chancellor was set to introduce 1% deposit, or 99% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages as part of the upcoming Spring Budget.
This Is Money
Should I fix my mortgage or take a tracker? A dozen brokers reply
Anyone taking out a mortgage at the moment will likely be pondering the same questions - how long to fix for? Should they fix at all?
The Intermediary
Brokers report a rise in down valuations
One broker, Laura Bairstow, said: “We have noticed a definite increase in down valuations, especially in instances where the borrower only has a 5% or 10% deposit.”
Financial Reporter
Government considering launch of 99% LTV mortgages - brokers react
The goverment is reportedly planning to introduce the new scheme in the Spring Budget.
FTAdviser
Rate war ‘rages on’ as major lenders announce cuts
The mortgage rate war “rages on” as major lenders have announced a fresh round of rate reductions.
Daily Mail
New Year mortgage price war breaks out as Halifax cuts fixed rates
Halifax, the UK’s largest lender, became the first company to slash rates on its remortgage deals by up to 0.83 percentage points yesterday, just hours into the first working day of the year.
The Times
Mortgage rates relief as lenders cut fixed deals
Intense competition is expected to trigger a ‘manic week’ in the housing market
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers’ Christmas wishes – an election, affordability help, and a cure for gout - Mortgage Solutions
An early election and more support on affordability are among brokers’ Christmas wishes, from a hopefully obliging Santa.
The Intermediary
Bank of England slammed as UK stands on brink of recession
Brokers have accused the Bank of England of strangling the UK economy as new data shows that GDP shrank in the third quarter of the year.
Express.co.uk
Recession fear turns screw on Bank of England to cut interest rates
News last week that the UK economy has shrunk for two months in a row has triggered fears of a recession.
What Mortgage
Departing landlords and downsizers drive bridging loan boom - What Mortgage
There has been a bridging loan boom in Autumn as a consequence of downsizing and shifts in the buy-to-let market following the Budget.
Express.co.uk
Rachel Reeves tax raid blamed for higher mortgage rates
A number of banks and building societies have raised interest rates on fixed rate mortgages in recent days
Moneyweek
Bitcoin hits a record high – should you buy or sell?
Bitcoin has surpassed $80,000 in the wake of Donald Trump’s election win. Is it a case of “tulip fever” or should investors consider the asset?
Sky News
Money blog: 'Sure sign worst is behind us': High street lender is first to offer mortgage deal under 4%
Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Share your thoughts on any of the stories we cover in the box below.
FTAdviser
‘Sub-4% mortgage back’ as Nationwide makes changes
The sub-4 per cent mortgage has made a comeback as Nationwide announces a fresh range of rate reductions. Whenthebanksaysno.co.uk managing director, , has stated.
Sky News
Money blog: Santander swearing ban receives mixed reaction
Welcome to the Money blog, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Leave a comment with your thoughts below.
The Intermediary
Ultra long mortgages FOI “highlights the bind many borrowers are in at present” - The Intermediary - Latest UK mortgage news
In the last quarter of 2021, nearly a third - 31% - of new mortgages had an end date beyond the state pension age.
Express.co.uk
When interest rates could finally come down to lift burden on mortgage holders
The Bank’s governor, Andrew Bailey, and the Monetary Police Committee (MPC) decided to hold the base rate at 5.25 per cent at their latest meeting.
The Intermediary
Annual pay growth slows to 6.1% in January – ONS
In light of labour market data, Newspage asked experts when the Bank of England should cut the base rate — and if a cut may now come sooner.
The Observer
How to survive UK mortgage turmoil as rates go up and deals are pulled
Homebuyers have to try to navigate their way to an affordable deal with no help in the budget to ease the pain
Express.co.uk
Inside Nationwide’s new £2.9m Virgin Money deal - what it means for customers
Nationwide is set to become the UK’s second largest mortgage and savings group after acquiring Virgin Money.
Sky News
Weekend Money: What small business owners urgently want to see in the spring budget
The Money blog is your place for consumer news, cost of living advice and the latest on the economy. We’ll be back with live updates on Monday but for now you can read our weekend features, and submit...
This Is Money
Homeowners hit as ‘down valuations’ cause mortgage headaches
Growing numbers of homeowners who remortgage are being forced to pay thousands of pounds more for their home loan due to the value of their properties being slashed.
FTAdviser
Brothers launch property networking platform
A networking platform designed to help the property sector by connecting people directly with developers, investors, agents, landlords and other industry experts has been launched.
BBC News
Landlords in mortgage arrears doubles in a year
More people with buy-to-let mortgages have fallen behind on payments as interest rates have risen.
The Telegraph
Homeowners bear brunt of mortgage crisis as first-time buyers get best deals
High street lenders cut the cost of low-deposit loans in a bid to lure in new customers
Evening Standard
HSBC becomes first ‘big six’ lender to bring back sub-4% mortgage rates
It joins Generation H, which launched its first rate below 4% just before Christmas
Mortgage Solutions
From tech to Twitter (X): what brokers plan to do differently in 2024 - Mortgage Solutions
Better use of social media, technology and diversification are among the changes brokers are planning for their businesses this year.
The Intermediary
UK house prices drop 1.8% in 2023, Northern Ireland and Scotland see rises
The Nationwide Building Society’s house price index for 2023 shows a 1.8% decrease in UK house prices compared to the previous year.
The Intermediary
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” – brokers react to Gen H rate cuts
This morning, Gen H introduced another round of rate reductions ahead of the festive break, cutting its entire product range by up to 0.25%.
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers lament lack of stability after housing minister sacking ‒ analysis - Mortgage Solutions
The revolving door of the housing minister is actively harming the sector, holding back the chances of building enough homes, brokers have argued.