Mortgages

The mortgage packager market has grown 30% since M-Day to between £28bn-£30bn, according to figures published by packaging lender The Mortgage Business.

House prices rose by 1.3% to an average £188,623 in January, but other indicators suggest the market will slow by the end of the year, according to the latest Halifax house price index.

Confidence in personal finances among mortgage holders is at a four-year low, says polling firm Ipsos MORI.

Almost of all first-time buyers would be prepared to give up alcohol if it meant they could get on the property ladder at an earlier stage, according to research commissioned by Abbey.

The government has announced a service that will be aimed at providing consumers, including those on low incomes, with "quick, easy and simple access" to good quality advice on financial products.

Interest rate rises finally look to be achieving effect in the housing market, according to Nationwide's latest monthly house price index.

Sainsbury Bank's head of marketing communications Richard Clark is taking up the mortgage product development role at Scottish Widows left by the departure of Murdo McHardy.

Increasing numbers of first-time buyers are considering mortgages based on more than five times their salary, according to research from Yorkshire Bank.

Figures published by Hometrack suggest strong gains in the London market through January more than offset slow sales elsewhere, pushing the national average price for property up yet again.

Lenders have until 28 February to decide how they will apply mortgage exit administration fees and to justify any increases to such fees, under a new statement of best practice from the Financial Services Authority.