Specialist

Advisers today branded proposals to effectively ban self-certification mortgages "inappropriate", saying they will leave the self-employed unable to access the mortgage market.

The first Islamic Finance conference in the North of England is being held in Leeds.

Housing wealth could play a greater role in supporting retirement in the future, the Pensions Policy Institute says.

The buy-to-let (BTL) market was today branded a "ticking time bomb" in a damning report highlighting the growing gap between the supply of and demand for BTL properties.

A former Credit Suisse banker has been found guilty of fraud after deceiving investors into buying risky investments that led to $1bn (£610m) of losses.

Equity release specialists In Retirement Services has gone into administration.

The equity release market must adapt products, advice and pricing to cater for a changing market, according to Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), which has called for a Government-led debate on the issue.

The negative reputation of equity release remains the top concern for advisers recommending the products, according to the Hodge Lifetime IFA Confidence Report.

Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP) has reported a 22% year-on-year fall in business volumes despite a 5% increase in new customers in Q2 2009.

The continuing debate on specialist lenders' arrears management intensified last week, after City Minister Lord Myners called for a crackdown on charges levied by lenders when borrowers fall into mortgage arrears.