Bridging warning
On Monday, Ian Gray, a high-net-worth specialist financial adviser, warned other brokers against referring clients to bridging lenders on high-net-worth cases without exploring cheaper, more specialised options first. MORE…
Every little helps
NatWest Intermediary Solutions offered a helping hand to first-time buyers by launching a fee-free two-year fixed rate mortgage up to 90% LTV at 4.99%. The deal also requires only one of the applicants to be a first-time buyer. MORE…
Woolwich apologises
Earlier this week, Mortgage Solutions learned that Woolwich had failed to update its online service page for intermediaries. After confronting Woolwich, they issued an apology and updated their service position the following day. MORE…
Global issues
Bestinvest’s senior investment adviser Adrian Lowcock, explains how the European sovereign debt problem and the lack of growth could impact UK mortgages, in his blog for Mortgage Solutions. MORE…
Pink wafers
In a book chronicling his downfall, it has been revealed that Sir Fred Goodwin was a ‘dreadful’ and menacing boss, who flew into rages if the wrong biscuit was served in the boardroom. According to the authors, Sir Fred detests “rogue” pink wafers. MORE…
Hot advice
Increasing numbers of borrowers are seeking out professional mortgage advice for the first time. Research by Kensington found that 18% of brokers said more than half of the clients they have seen in the past three months are speaking to mortgage advisers for the first time. MORE…
Broker ban
The FSA banned Yasmin Choudhary, who worked for London-based Adams Financial Services, from carrying out any regulated activities. In February 2010, she was convicted of 13 counts of financial crime, including mortgage fraud totalling £3.1m. MORE…
Fix for longer
Chelsea Building Society rounded the week off by offering a cracking ten-year fix at 3.99% up to 70% LTV. In addition, it cut the rates of its 5, 6, 7 mortgage to 3.69%. MORE…
FSA reponds
The FSA has listed – and answered – 11 of the more difficult questions posed by advisers during a recent Retail Distribution Review (RDR) roadshow. MORE…
Quids in
Following its launch last May out of the failed network Home of Choice, First Complete has announced that it increased protection sales by 108% and mortgage applications by 146% to make a big return to profit. MORE…
Top tweets
Lea Karasavvas
I believe children should understand the concept of debt from a young age. Nevermind Peppa Pig, we need Mickey the Mortgage Monkey.
Amanda Coleen
“Ireland sober, Ireland Free” could have a new 21st century meaning. €3.7 billion could be handy to pay off IMF/EU money lenders.
Clare McGinn
Fred Goodwin: A man full of ego, temper, fear and pink wafer biscuits? #fredtheshred
Alexandra Thompson
Good result this morning, 4 As, 2 Bs, 3 Cs, and a D. God I love alphabet spaghetti. #GCSEresults
Andrew Sayer
What if Steve Jobs’ meant to type, “I reign as CEO of Apple” and autocorrect caught him off guard? #iResign
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And finally…
Paul Stimpson (pictured), compliance officer at insurance adviser firm Jump Money, recently completed the Three Peaks Challenge covering Yorkshire’s highest mountain peaks – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
He completed the 24.5 mile total climb in just over nine hours and in the process raised more than £3,000, split between the British Heart Foundation and his local cricket club, New Earswick.
He was joined by 15 fellow cricket club members and their nine-hour time knocked three hours off the time set by the organisers to complete the arduous challenge.
Congratulations from the Mortgage Solutions team
