Stuart Powell's Media Coverage
The Intermediary
UK Finance later life data “at odds with what’s happening on the ground,” say brokersUK Finance published its later life mortgage lending data for Q1 2024, with 28,840 new loans advanced to older borrowers in Q1.
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
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.
Financial Reporter
More people turning to equity release as cost of living bites - brokers reactBrokers have warned that people need to be aware of the ramifications and risks of taking out equity release during the cost of living crisis.
FTAdviser.com
Lifetime mortgage lender cuts rate to 5% on broker’s requestLifetime mortgage lender More2Life has introduced a 5 94 per cent interest rate just days after an adviser told the firm a rate starting with a 5 would be nice
IFA Magazine
A lifetime mortgage rate starting with a 5? More2Life listens and acts following a mortgage broker’s requestIFA Magazine has heard of a fantastic example of lenders and brokers working together to try and find solutions for hard pressed borrowers in today’s challeng
The Telegraph
Equity release rates drop below 6pc as homeowners raid properties for cashMortgage brokers call the reduced rate a ‘turning point’ for new borrowers
Financial Reporter
more2life launches sub-6% lifetime mortgage following broker feedbackLifetime mortgages have fallen back under 6% with the launch of a new rate from more2life.
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers urge potential borrowers to act quickly as lenders reprice – analysis - Mortgage SolutionsBrokers are encouraging customers who have not submitted mortgage applications to act quickly and have all their documents ready to go as lenders withdraw new business fixed rates and reprice amidst economic...
Mortgage Solutions
Nature of mortgage broker role increases risk of burnout ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsMortgage brokers are more likely to burnout through becoming overworked precisely because of the nature of the job, intermediaries have suggested.
Mortgage Solutions
Legal & General trials equity release fixed early repayment charges - Mortgage SolutionsLegal & General is trialling the use of fixed early repayment charges for its equity release borrowers spanning 15 years.
This Is Money
Record £13m of equity was released from homes PER DAY in 2021Susan Wilcox, 73 (pictured) took £70,000 out of her home in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and says it was her ‘only option’ to boost her retirement income.
This Is Money
Switching equity release could save you tens of thousands of poundsWe revealed last year how most equity release borrowers could save tens of thousands of pounds by moving their loans to a cheaper interest rate.
inews.co.uk
Equity release: More older homeowners cash in on rising house pricesA total of 150,653 new and existing customers have used equity release since March 2020, compared with 171,586 over the previous two-year period
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers fear coming financial storm may result in equity release ‘misuse’ ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsThe cost-of-living crisis has put mortgage affordability under strain, and many brokers agree that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been correct in flagging equity release as a product that may...
This Is Money
Can equity release help older homeowners with cost of living crisis?Canada Life has found that in the first half of 2022 19.6% of equity release plans taken out were for day-to- day living costs, up from 18.2 per cent in 2019 before the pandemic.
The Telegraph
The true cost of using equity release to pay the billsDebt is being used to cover higher costs – but the interest is crippling
The Telegraph
‘Aviva charged me £22,000 to cancel Dad’s equity release loan even though he’s presumed dead’Aviva refused to waive the exit charge despite the family’s ordeal
The Telegraph
The little-known equity release terms that could cost borrowers an extra £20,000Some providers’ clauses could mean borrowers are hit by higher penalties
Sunday Mirror
Home owners face £5,000 a year mortgage hikes - with repossessions doublingRocketing interest rates could double this year’s projections for repossessions to 24,000 by 2024 according to an economic consultancy’s analysis of latest Bank of England figures
Express.co.uk
Public fury as banks fail to pass on hiked interest rates to saversBANKS and building societies came under mounting pressure yesterday to pass on the interest rate hike to their suffering savers.
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers fear coming financial storm may result in equity release ‘misuse’The cost-of-living crisis has put mortgage affordability under strain, and many brokers agree that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been correct in flagging equity release as a product that may...
Express.co.uk
State pension: Shock figures reveal just ONE in 20 OAPs receive full weekly paymentONLY one in 20 pensioners is receiving the full £185.15 a week state pension, a new analysis has revealed.
Mortgage Solutions
Nature of mortgage broker role increases risk of burnoutMortgage brokers are more likely to burnout through becoming overworked precisely because of the nature of the job, brokers have suggested.
Mortgage Solutions
Help to Buy completions drop 41 per cent on pre-pandemic levelsThe number of property sales completed through the Help to Buy scheme totalled 8,913 in Q4 2021, a 41 per cent decline on the same period in 2019.
inews.co.uk
Equity release: More older homeowners cash in on rising house pricesA total of 150,653 new and existing customers have used equity release since March 2020, compared with 171,586 over the previous two-year period
This Is Money
Should I cut my mortgage term to save money?More people are opting to repay their mortgage for more than the standard 25 years as it makes the monthly bill lower - but it increases interest overall.
Daily Mail
Should I cut my mortgage term to save money?More people are opting to repay their mortgage for more than the standard 25 years as it makes the monthly bill lower - but it increases interest overall.
Express.co.uk
Warning to mortgage holders as analysts predict Bank of England rate hike ‘almost certain’BORROWERS should brace for higher costs as markets anticipate multiple Bank of England rate hikes this year, with the first this Thursday.
Financial Reporter
Should the Bank of England raise rates this week? - Intermediaries respondThe Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again this week to contain 30-year high inflation.
Daily Mail
First-time buyer house deposit up £23k after pandemic property boomSurvey says first-time buyers must now save £23,000 more for a house deposit than they did in March 2020, thanks to runaway house price increases.
Daily Mail
First-time buyer house deposit up £23k after pandemic property boomSurvey says first-time buyers must now save £23,000 more for a house deposit than they did in March 2020, thanks to runaway house price increases.
Mortgage Strategy
House prices climb 7.6% in July: Halifax | Mortgage StrategyUK house prices rose by 7.6% on an annual basis this July, shows the latest index from Halifax. This compares to annual growth of 8.8% in June and 9.6% in May, meaning that price growth has slowed down...
This Is Money
How to pay off a mortgage in retirementHouse prices are soaring and mortgage terms are getting longer - so it is little wonder that fewer borrowers expect to have paid off their mortgage by the time they retire.
Mortgage Solutions
The Equity Release Lady readies launch with target to drive up female advisers - Mortgage SolutionsAn all female equity release advice firm is set to launch into the sector with ambitions to raise the number of women who give advice on later life mortgages to 50 per cent.
Mortgage Solutions
Advisers urged not to ignore Help to Buy alternatives - analysis - Mortgage SolutionsIntermediaries need to ensure first-time buyers are aware of all of their borrowing options, beyond simply Help to Buy, industry figures have argued.
Mortgage Solutions
Advisers urged not to ignore Help to Buy alternatives - analysis - Mortgage SolutionsIntermediaries need to ensure first-time buyers are aware of all of their borrowing options, beyond simply Help to Buy, industry figures have argued.
Mortgage Solutions
‘When advisers suggest easy sell of free money to get lower rate, Help to Buy seems like a no-brainer’ - Star Letters 31/05/2019...Each week Mortgage Solutions and its sister title Specialist Lending Solutions select the most thoughtful or thought-provoking comments from our readers in our Star letter.
Mortgage Solutions
‘Make it easier for lenders to offer higher LTV deals’ instead of targeting pension savings – analysis - Mortgage SolutionsThe government would be better served pushing the FCA to make it easier for lenders to offer high loan to value (LTV) deals, rather than allowing first-time buyers to use their pension funds as a deposit,...
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers shrug off Johnson’s latest potential stamp duty reform ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsIntermediaries are underwhelmed by suggestions that Boris Johnson is open to drastic changes to the stamp duty set up should he end up in Number 10, warning that there may be unintended negative consequences...
Mortgage Solutions
From solicitors to Spar; how partnering with local businesses can create better broker service ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsIntermediaries have suggested that partnering with like-minded businesses, particularly local ones, can act not only as a source of leads but also allow them to offer their clients a more comprehensive...
Mortgage Solutions
‘Comparison sites are a ringing endorsement for local mortgage brokers’ – Star Letter 23/08/2019 - Mortgage SolutionsEach week Mortgage Solutions and its sister publication Specialist Lending Solutions choose the best reader comments in our Star Letters column.
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers call on lenders to increase ‘amazing’ but limited offset mortgage options ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsIntermediaries have urged lenders to increase the number of offset mortgages on offer for their clients.
Mortgage Solutions
Mortgage clubs: ‘Newer players showing old guard how it should be done’ – analysis - Mortgage SolutionsBrokers have suggested that the higher procuration fees on offer from placing cases through mortgage clubs makes using them often a straightforward decision.
Mortgage Solutions
Overconfident older borrowers ‘need to be protected from themselves’ ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsIntermediaries have warned that some older borrowers are putting their finances in danger by relying on their own research when picking a deal, rather than making use of an adviser.
Mortgage Solutions
How brokers can stand out from the competition ‒ analysis - Mortgage SolutionsBrokers must be clear about what differentiates them from their competition and remain authentic, if they are to avoid wasting money on their marketing.
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers’ views on the reality of high loan-to-income lending – analysis - Mortgage SolutionsHaving high earnings, large deposits and professional careers are the surest ways for borrowers to secure high income multiples, say brokers, but taking a five-year deal offers an alternative way to boost...
Mortgage Solutions
Gifted deposits top parental support for first-time buyers in pandemic – Poll result - Mortgage SolutionsGifting savings is the most popular way parents are helping first-time buyers get on the property ladder since the pandemic struck, results from the Mortgage Solutions poll reveal.
Mortgage Solutions
PM’s plan for low deposit mortgage scheme gets mixed response from brokers - Mortgage SolutionsBoris Johnson’s plan to encourage a wave of 95 per cent mortgage lending to help young people on to the housing ladder has been met with a mixed response from mortgage intermediaries.
Mortgage Solutions
Brilliant teams up with Ocean Mortgages and Responsible Life for equity release advice - Mortgage SolutionsSpecialist packager Brilliant Solutions has partnered with Ocean Mortgages and Responsible Life to provide its 600-strong network of advisers with equity release support.
Mortgage Solutions
Brokers call on equity release lenders and council to help switch borrowers to cheaper plans - Mortgage SolutionsEquity release brokers are calling for support from lenders and the Equity Release Council to put in place a system to review borrowers’ plans to ensure they are not left languishing on historically high...
Mortgage Solutions
Legal & General trials equity release fixed early repayment charges - Mortgage SolutionsLegal & General is trialling the use of fixed early repayment charges for its equity release borrowers spanning 15 years.