FCA refuses to lift ban on fraudulent broker
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has refused to lift a prohibition order imposed on a former mortgage broker in 2010.
Just Mortgages to leave Legal and General for Openwork
National mortgage broker firm Just Mortgages will join Openwork as an appointed representative (AR) from March becoming the largest member of the mortgage and wealth network.
BoE enlisting faulty data to demonise landlords, says Paragon
Paragon has asserted that the government and the Bank of England is using fallible data to justify its multi-pronged lending limits on landlords.
John Charcol buys Southampton advice firm to reach 115 brokers
John Charcol has bought Southampton-based mortgage advice and secured loans firms Simply Finance and Simply Loans, in its next phase of growth plans.
Nationwide details MCD implementation plans
Nationwide has released details on its Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD) plans, which takes effect on 21 March.
Free legals – heroes or zeroes? Analysis
Some 1,800 mortgage products come with free legals provided by conveyancers on lender panels. Moa Aarenstrup investigates how useful they really are.
Santander releases first-time buyer exclusives
Santander for Intermediaries will add to its range of high loan-to-value (LTV) fixed-rate products aimed exclusively at first-time buyers on 12 January.
MMR laid foundation for intermediary channel success – SMP
The Mortgage Market Review (MMR) has proved an incredible catalyst for the intermediary sector, with a 22% jump in business since its introduction. Lee Travis of the Society of Mortgage Professionals discusses the success of the broker market since the MMR.
Co-op Bank and Wonga UK’s most improved brands of 2015
Co-operative Bank and payday lender Wonga became the two most improved brands of 2015, joining three other finance brands in the top 10 working their way back towards a positive public perception.
Clear valuation guidelines needed to avoid £0 HS2 confusion
Mortgage lenders and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICs) have been called on to produce some ‘definite guidelines’ for the valuation process, to prevent the ‘buck stopping’ with surveyors.