May 18 – The only way is up
The UK economy remains in relatively good shape with the Office for Budget Responsibility revising up its growth forecasts for the next three years in March’s Spring Statement. Consumer price inflation also fell back to 2.5 % in March, having been stuck at around 3 % for several months. While still above the Bank of […]
May 18 – Speeding up new-build
Over recent years we have seen housing move up the government’s agenda. It has embarked upon a series of consultations, projects and initiatives to try to drive the housing market to new levels. One major area of focus is how more homes can be built quickly, which has been underpinned by the government’s ambitious targets […]
May 18 – Mixing it all up
We have now got the results of the Mortgages Market Study from the FCA and it makes interesting reading. The FCA wants to make it easier for consumers, at an early stage, to identify which mortgage products they qualify for, to assess and compare those products and, ultimately, to take out a mortgage. The industry […]
May 18 – FSCS
The new funding structure for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme is a huge win for mortgage intermediaries. Under the current structure brokers contribute to the life and pensions class due to the protection they sell but have been paying for the mis-selling of self-invested personal pensions. The claims in this class have been substantial over […]
May 18 – AMI challenges FCA approach to competition
The FCA recently set out how it approaches competition. It details how it will promote competition in the interests of consumers and not for its own sake.
May 18 – FCA study into mortgage market
The FCA has been conducting a study into effective competition in the mortgage market. It has today published its initial findings and proposed remedies.
Apr 18 – Help to Buy loan options
With the initial term of many help to buy loans coming to an end in the next few months, discussions with customers on their options, including remortgaging, will not be straightforward.
Apr 18 – Real Interest
The development of the later life lending market will be one of the most significant aspects of the housing and mortgage market alongside technological innovation over the next decade. It was therefore fascinating to see where the FCA decided to land on the issue of retirement interest-only mortgages. AMI had requested that advice was made […]
Apr 18 – Hybrid advice
Several large broker firms have launched or are about to launch their own online offerings for consumers wishing to transact on their computer or by mobile. However, what has been noticeable about these offerings is the decisive move to offer a hybrid model that affords customers the best of both online and face-to-face advice. Largely […]
Apr 18 – Challenge of culture
In the recent policy and supervisory work from both the PRA and the FCA much has been made of the culture within a firm. There is a growing recognition that whilst a robust rulebook and well-established principles alongside the Senior Manager regime provides a framework, it is how a firm thinks and operates that needs […]
