This week’s biggest stories on Mortgage Solutions –13/11/2015

What else did you miss this week?

1. TMPE15: Brokers must keep a record of consumer buy-to-let calls

Mortgage brokers will need to think about how they keep a record of the advice they give to consumer buy-to-let customers, managing director of Connect Mortgage Club Liz Syms says.

2. Estate agencies kicked off Ombudsman scheme for two years

Two sales and letting agents have been expelled from membership of The Property Ombudsman (TPO) for a minimum of two years.

3. TMPE 2015: Lenders grilled by Legal and General boss on retention proc fee failings

Mortgage lenders found themselves in the spotlight over their failure to pay brokers proc fees for product retention business during a panel debate at The Mortgage and Protection Event in Southampton.

4. Leeds ups LTV on new-build lending – exclusive

Leeds Building Society has increased the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) for new-build lending to 90% for houses and 85% on flats.

5. The risks and benefits of debt consolidation mortgages – Marketwatch

Consumers in the UK are increasing their use of credit cards and unsecured debt as confidence in the economy returns.

6. TMPE2015: Barclays reveals final MCD plans and broker support

Barclays plans to offer a 10-day right of reflection for mortgage borrowers to allow for offer postage times, three days more than stipulated by the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD).

7. ‘Big’ lenders could eventually ditch direct sales – Legal and General (for the second week running)

The relative cost of giving advice in-branch compared to going through intermediaries could cause a number of lenders to cease direct sales altogether, Legal and General’s Stephen Smith said.

8. Know Your BDM: Sharon Marshall, Mortgage Brain

This week Mortgage Solutions quizzes Mortgage Brain’s national account manager Sharon Marshall, on working with brokers and the biggest challenges she faces.

9. TMPE15: Brokers urged to tackle specialist buy to let ahead of market changes

Brokers need to understand specialist buy-to-let products to adapt to tax changes in the market and a shift in landlord property preferences said Brightstar Financial’s Chris Bramham.

10. Mortgage Solutions grows editorial team with reporter hire

Reporter Moa Aarenstrup has joined the growing Mortgage Solutions and Your Mortgage editorial team to work across both titles covering trade and consumer news.

Have a great weekend from the Mortgage Solutions team.