This week’s top five stories:
1) What will lenders’ MMR changes mean for mortgage brokers?
With the MMR implementation now just a year away, HML commercial director Richard Hennah takes a look at what changes lenders need to make.
2) Several new mortgage lenders to launch this year
A number of new lenders are expected to enter the market later this year according to industry experts.
3) Money Advice Service will be gone by 2015 – AMI
Association of Mortgage Intermediaries chief executive Robert Sinclair says he expects the abolition of the controversial Money Advice Service (MAS) when the body comes up for review in 2015.
4) Santander tops chart for mortgage complaints
More complaints were made about Santander than any other mortgage lender during the second half of 2012, according to FCA statistics.
5) Sesame, Openwork and Personal Touch complaint numbers rise
Sesame, Openwork and Personal Touch saw the number of complaints against them rise in the final half of last year, according to data compiled by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Here are some stories you may have missed:
Santander obliged to contact 270,000 borrowers over SVR change
Santander UK is to contact more than 270,000 mortgage customers after raising the cap on its standard variable rate in 2008 without being clear to customers.
FCA charges eight landbanking fraudsters; solicitor collared for money laundering
Following an investigation into three landbanking companies, regulator the FCA has charged eight men with conspiracy to defraud.
Questions remain over Help to Buy scheme – Nationwide
This year’s early Easter, which traditionally would also herald an early start to the home buying season, was rather hindered by the bracing winds and unwelcome drifts of snow that hit large parts of the country.
Halifax voted best for broker service
Halifax has been rated the best intermediary lender for dealing with mortgage application problems, according to a study by BDRC Continental.
Welsh NewBuy scheme axed before launch
The Welsh Government has cancelled the launch of the flagship NewBuy Cymru scheme, just six weeks before its planned launch.
