Mortgages

House prices continued to rise in November - despite an increase in the number of properties available.

Intermediaries expect mortgage business levels to have strengthened in Q4, according to Paragon Mortgages' Financial Adviser Confidence Tracker (FACT) Index.

Mortgage brokers' confidence in business prospects for the next quarter has not improved despite indications the industry may be on the road to recovery, according to the Legal & General Adviser Confidence Index Q4 2009.

House purchase loans in October reached their highest level since December 2007, according to the latest data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

Northern Rock will be split in two as part of a restructure, the Treasury has confirmed.

House prices went up again last month - marking the fifth consecutive monthly rise, according to the Halifax.

Valuation activity has risen by over 50% compared to November 2008 which shows a growing confidence in the housing market, according to the latest data from Connells Survey & Valuation.

The Government wants the Post Office to offer a wider range of financial services products and become a more significant player in the mortgage market.

Yorkshire Building Society and Chelsea Building Society are in advanced talks over a possible merger.

Specialist finance provider Enterprise Group and some of its subsidiary companies have been placed into administration.