FCA acts to help 'mortgage prisoners' find cheaper deals

Mortgages Market Study

Julian Marr
clock • 3 min read

So-called 'mortgage prisoners' could soon be able to find a cheaper deal as a result of proposed changes from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on how lenders assess whether or not a customer can afford the loan.

In the final report of its Mortgages Market Study, MS16/2, published this morning (26 March), the FCA confirmed its earlier findings that the mortgage market is "working well in many respects but falls short of the FCA's vision in some specific ways". The regulator's consultation on new lending rules, CP19/14, forms part of a package of remedies that seek to help the market work better, particularly with regard to so-called ‘mortgage prisoners' - mortgage customers who have previously been unable to switch mortgages despite being up-to-date with their payments. In addition, the FCA's ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

Abuse victims must not be 'blocked' from redress, group urges

Abuse victims must not be 'blocked' from redress, group urges

In response to FCA and FOS consultation paper

Jen Frost
clock 12 May 2026 • 3 min read
FCA receives 210 whistleblower complaints over Consumer Duty in Q1

FCA receives 210 whistleblower complaints over Consumer Duty in Q1

Closed 265 whistleblowing cases between January and March

Michael Nelson
clock 11 May 2026 • 2 min read
Ex-investment adviser sentenced to additional prison time

Ex-investment adviser sentenced to additional prison time

Richard Faithfull failed to pay back £529,961

Sophia Panayi
clock 11 May 2026 • 2 min read