News
AMI: increase mortgage market competition
The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) has called on the Government to introduce a range of measures to increase competition in the mortgage market. The request comes ahead of the Pre-Budget Report, in which the AMI has urged a review of...
27th November, 2009 • more >
BTL remortgaging activity falls
The proportion of landlords remortgaging their investment properties has fallen to its lowest level for over two years, according to Paragon Mortgages. A survey of mortgage brokers found that 39% of landlords obtained a buy-to-let mortgage via a...
26th November, 2009 • more >
Boost for high street sales
The economy has been dealt some much needed good news, with figures showing that retail sales are growing at their fastest pace for two years, while a further improvement is expected in the run up to Christmas. Furthermore, business sentiment about...
26th November, 2009 • more >
Supreme Court rules in favour of banks
Consumers' hopes of clawing back billions of pounds in charges appear to have been dashed by the Supreme Court, which has ruled in favour of the banks. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) had hoped to be allowed to consider what constituted a fair bank...
25th November, 2009 • more >
Recession to change business
The CBI has said the recession will reshape business behaviour into the next decade. The business organisation said the downturn has become the catalyst for a new era. It believes fresh approaches will develop, such as businesses becoming more wary...
24th November, 2009 • more >
Bank charge case ruling nears
The UK's banks could face another eight million claims should the bank charges test case ruling go in favour of the Office of Fair Trading later this week. According to Which?, of around 12 million people that have been hit with bank charges since...
23rd November, 2009 • more >
Business lending stays negative
The flow of lending to UK businesses remained negative in September and fell across all the main sectors of the economy in the third quarter of the year, according to the Bank of England. Its latest Trends in Lending report revealed that while some...
23rd November, 2009 • more >
Chief Economist's Weekly Brief - Deflating fears
Deflation risks are receding across the advanced economies. Japan is the exception, where falling...
23rd November, 2009 • more >
More bank charges possible
The UK's banks could be hit with a bill for another £8 million in bank charges, according to Which?. New figures suggest that of around 12 million that have been the subject of bank charges in the last eight years, over three in five (63%) are yet...
23rd November, 2009 • more >
Seasonal rise in mortgage lending
The mortgage lending market continued to show signs of improvement in October, and will continue to grow albeit modestly next year, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Gross mortgage lending for the month was an estimated £13.5...
20th November, 2009 • more >