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

FCA ban and £2m fine upheld against 'worst' British Steel adviser

FCA ban and £2m fine upheld against 'worst' British Steel adviser

Upper Tribunal backs regulator's findings in key BSPS misconduct case

Sahar Nazir
clock 19 January 2026 • 2 min read
Failed financial advice firms tracker

Failed financial advice firms tracker

Firms that the FSCS has confirmed as failed since the start of 2023

Professional Adviser
clock 19 January 2026 • 1 min read
Why well-run advice firms still shoulder an unfair FSCS burden - and what needs to change

Why well-run advice firms still shoulder an unfair FSCS burden - and what needs to change

Tom Hegarty shares his views on the FSCS levy and why things need to change...

Tom Hegarty
clock 08 January 2026 • 4 min read