This week’s top five stories:
1) Six ways to defend your fees when clients haggle
Consultant Steve Billingham looks at how to bring clients around to your terms.
2) More UK lenders preparing for SVR hikes
A number of mortgage lenders have approached the Financial Conduct Authority to discuss possible changes to their tracker mortgage contracts, the regulator has revealed.
3) Legal & General issues proc fee challenge to lenders
Legal & General has challenged lenders to give ‘appropriate recognition’ to mortgage brokers following the introduction of the Mortgage Market Review (MMR).
4) Time to consider the future of proc fees – David Finlay
David Finlay, intermediary managing director for Barclays, looks at the issue of proc fees and payments to mortgage brokers.
5) Half of Help to Buy 2 applications fail – broker
Half of applicants for Halifax and NatWest Help to Buy 2 mortgages fail to meet the affordability criteria, according to a mortgage broker.
Here are some stories you may have missed:
The return of the packager – LSL
The recent announcement by the Dudley Building Society that they have appointed seven packagers as sole point of access for brokers felt a bit like a deju vu moment, writes David Copland.
Yorkshire BS undercuts Help to Buy rates with 95% LTV range
Yorkshire Building Society has launched a range of high LTV products which undercut those offered through the government’s Help to Buy scheme.
Pink to relaunch packager arm
Pink is to relaunch its mortgage packaging arm in order to target more brokers and capitalise on the growth in niche and complex lending.
HSBC to become third Help to Buy 2 lender
HSBC is set to launch into Help to Buy 2 on Monday with two fixed rate mortgages, offered up to 95% loan to value.
Budget planning and rate shock biggest MMR challenges for brokers – video
Increased focus on budget planning and preparing for rate shocks will be the two biggest upcoming challenges for mortgage brokers, according to Mortgage Brain CEO Mark Lofthouse.
