1. Broker vs. adviser – A distinct difference?
Marketing manager of TMA, Lauren Bagley, examines the difference between brokers and advisers and whether it is purely a case of semantics.
2. FCA warns of ‘problems at every stage’ in dealing with vulnerable consumers
The Financial Conduct Authority found systems often streamlined vulnerable customers which were defined as individuals with poor literacy skills, those who have caring responsibilities, people with disabilities, dementia or the old.
3. TSB imposes blanket 4.5x LTI cap
In a broker note TSB said it had decided to introduce a loan-to-income (LTI) cap of 4.5 times income across all of its mortgage applications “in response to changes in the market”. The statement was issued in line with its financial results which saw gross mortgage lending surge 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to £404.5m.
4. ‘Clear blue water’ between GMAC and Foundation, says CEO
Until now, Paratus AMC has been managing the back book of largely buy-to-let mortgages, with no new lending. CEO Hans Geberbauer, says there are no similarities in lending styles between the company’s previous lending company, GMAC, and its new brand, Foundation Home Loans.
5. What does the perfect intermediary lender look like?
Mortgage Solutions examines what the perfect intermediary lender looks like in the eyes of a mortgage broker.
Here’s some more stories you may have missed:
Sainsbury’s Bank eyes mortgage market
Sainsbury’s Bank confirms it has been looking at developing a mortgage proposition in its bid to expand its banking proposition.
Equity Release Council launches market growth working group
The Equity Release Council hopes to garner more interest among advisers in the industry and raise the profile of the market generally. ERC chairman Nigel Waterson added that there was a argument for revisiting how the current exam system was structured.
Pre-election period creates ‘buyer’s market’
Buyers would be “foolish” not explore the property market leading up to the general election, buying agent Paul Pavlides of Prime Purchase says.
Growth of outright property ownership shows ‘generational divide’
The proportion of homeowners who own their property outright has outgrown the amount of individuals buying with a mortgage for the first time, according to official figures.
MP: Protection now a ‘toxic’ word after PPI scandal
The public may view all protection products as “toxic” following the payment protection insurance (PPI) mis-selling scandal, according to the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Insurance and Financial Services.
