Fee menus
On Monday, consumer focus group Which? said IFAs around the country are charging vastly different fees for the same work and should be forced to publish transparent fee menus.
BTL boost
Abbey for Intermediaries (AFI) boosted its buy-to-let range with the launch of four new loans and rate cuts of up to 0.20% on existing products.
Exit door
The number of mortgage broker firms leaving the industry has slowed significantly in the final quarter of 2011, compared to the dramatic falls recorded in the previous two years, the FSA found.
HSBC slammed
HSBC had a tough time this week after high street solicitors slammed its decision to use conveyancers from a restricted panel, arguing that the panel will result in increased costs and delays for consumers.
Major growth
Things are looking up for the self-build market. According to datamonitor, self-build mortgage advances will grow by 141% over the next three years, from £790m to £1.9bn by 2015.
Shapps’ policy
On Wednesday, we reported how the government plans to introduce a raft of housing measures for the elderly to help them cope in their homes or rent the property, with no reference to the equity release market.
Protection on price
Bright Grey’s Roger Edwards tells us what the protection industry can learn from the spending habits and the trends in the retail sector.
Asda eyes mortgages
Asda is believed to be considering a launch into mortgages after registering an ‘Asda Money’ trademark, which covers mortgage lending.
Head to head
This week, two industry heavyweights went head to head to debate whether equity release is a fair deal or a rip-off.
Third phase
Yorkshire’s Jeremy Law tells brokers what to expect from the third phase of the building society’s cautious move back into the buy-to-let sector with reporter Simret Samra.
And finally…top tweets
Mark Dyason
With Wikipedia blacked out for 24 hours, thank god we still have politicians about to make things up as they go along
BBCJonSopel
So my daughter’s Manchester Uni book fines are paid off, along with everyone else’s. The word is Mario Balotelli paid up. Gotta love him!
buyingagent
15 mins early for viewing in Sloane Street. All the £3,000 handbags and Chihuahuas you could desire but you try buying a pasty.
Mortgage_Stu
The worst response you can ever get from a mortgage lender is…..’Don’t know’…
Thank you from the Mortgage Solutions team for all your comments
