1. Help to Buy 2 cliff edge on horizon
Greater product choice still needed from some lenders, says Simon Crone vice-president of mortgage insurance Europe at Genworth
2. HSBC launch a mutual learning curve – Stockton
Speaking exclusively to Mortgage Solutions, Nigel Stockton, financial services director at Countrywide said leading the first ever intermediary launch with HSBC has been a mutual education.
3. CML announces new boss
Moray McDonald head of personal and business banking products at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), will be the new chairman of the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) from 1 January 2015.
4. Early rising interest rates a “huge risk” – BCC
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned an early increase in interest rates represents a “huge risk” to the UK economy.
5. Are Stamp Duty changes a landlord’s dream? – Broadhead
As usual I was glued to the TV as George Osborne delivered his Autumn Statement, but with little expectation of anything mind-blowing from a mortgage/housing perspective.
6. Platform launches its lowest ever fixed rate
Intermediary lender Platform has launched its lowest ever residential two-year fixed rate mortgage at 1.64%.
7. FCA media blunder ‘high risk’ and ‘seriously inadequate’ – Clifford Chance
A strategy by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to leak details of one of its upcoming projects to a national newspaper – a decision which sparked huge falls in the share prices of several major life companies – was “high risk” and inadequate, according to an independent report by a law firm.
8. Use extra Stamp Duty cash to pay down mortgage, urges Barclays
Borrowers should resist the temptation to spend their unexpected Stamp Duty savings on new furniture or clearing post-Christmas card debt and focus on their mortgage, said Barclays’ Andy Gray.
9. Is jack of all trades a step too far? – Jackie Uhi
Is it possible to be a jack of all trades and master of many, is a question which many intermediaries often ask themselves.
Too often it’s easier to equate the jack of all trades title with the somewhat derogatory term of master of none.
10. Vast majority of borrowers could handle interest rate rise – BoE
If Bank Base Rate rose 2% today, the vast majority of mortgage borrowers would be able to accommodate the rise, according to a quarterly Bank of England household survey.
Have a fantastic weekend, from all the Mortgage Solutions team
