Gross Mortgage Lending

UK lenders have steadily increased lending since March this year to hit a 66-month high of 15,621 in September.

FIVE THINGS

Virgin Money returned Northern Rock to profitability in the final four months of 2012 in what has been described as a "transformational year" for the combined business.

Lenders cranked up gross mortgage lending by 21% in May to reach a five-year high of £14.7bn, figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders have shown.

The UK has seen a 'sizeable' improvement in the affordability of mortgage payments despite a squeeze on credit, according to a report by ratings agency Fitch.

Overall lending for house purchases hit its highest level in almost a year in July, according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

A near-£2bn increase in mortgage lending last month may be no more than a "flash in the pan" reflecting concerted efforts from lenders to meet their mid-year targets, according to chartered surveyor e.surv.

Mortgage providers have been criticised for plans to penalise consumers who are paying into pension schemes by restricting the sums they can borrow.

Mortgage lending increased by £1.8bn in January, the highest amount since February last year, the Bank of England has reported.

Gross mortgage lending fell 13% to an estimated £9.2bn in January from £10.6bn in December, as the market shows little signs of rebounding, according to the CML.