Nationwide

Coming across the news on Nationwide and Portman this morning was rather timely.

Nationwide and Portman Building Societies have announced they are to merge.

A rise of 0.8% in August means house prices have grown by almost £30 a day over the last year, claims Nationwide.

The average house price in England and Wales has risen 7.71% to £199,184 so far this year according to the latest data from the Land Registry.

The Monetary Policy Committee is likely to keep interest rates unchanged as overall consumer confidence appears to have stabilised.

House prices increased by 0.8% in July taking annual house price growth to 5.9% the latest figures from Nationwide Building Society claim.

Consumer confidence in the current economic situation has fallen to its lowest ever level, claims Nationwide.

House price inflation increased by a mild 0.3% in June, the third month of subdued growth, Nationwide's latest house price index reveals.

First-time buyers still account for nearly 40% of housing market transactions according to new research from Nationwide Building Society.

It has just been confirmed Gartmore Investment Management has been sold to US private equity firm Hellman & Friedman for an undisclosed sum.