Latest News

Over 50s predict base rate rise in 2017

Over 50s are 'optimistic' that we will see a rise in the Bank of England Base Rate by the end of 2017, according to a Saga poll.

28 Dec 2016

F&TRC announces 2016 protection ratings

F&TRC has announced its 2016 product ratings for Income Protection and Relevant Life, in a bid to help advisers understand which providers are offering the most suitable and comprehensive protection products.

28 Dec 2016

Millennials top 2016 savings table

18 to 34 year-olds saved more in 2016 than any other generation, according to new research from Charter Savings Bank.

28 Dec 2016

House price growth could slow to 1% in 2017: Halifax

Halifax expects annual house price inflation to be somewhere between 1% and 4% by the end of 2017.

28 Dec 2016

Over-55s 'majorly concerned' over falling return on savings

Almost one in four over-55s now view the drop in return on savings as a threat to their financial health – up from 17% in Q2 2016 to the highest point in almost three years.

28 Dec 2016

Ending 2016 with a hint of positivity

I’m not entirely sure this year has provided the most positive news - which I think is what you would call an understatement – however it appears that in terms of mortgage activity we can end 2016 with a little hint of positivity. According to e.surv, mortgage approvals increased by 1.3% month-on-month, up to 64,407 in November, from 62,522 in October, although (and apologies for the somewhat downbeat comparison) in November 2015 this figure sat at over 70,000, while in February it peaked at over 72,000.

27 Dec 2016

‘A day is a long time in politics’ - a look back at Barclays' 2016 predictions

2016 will certainly go down in the diary as one of the most unpredictable of political years. Now I’m not going to go into the hows, whys and potential fall-outs surrounding these voting decisions but it’s fair to say that their impact are still being registered. Although to what degree remains open to interpretation.

23 Dec 2016

Finance sector output sparks rise in Q3 GDP: ONS

UK GDP increased by 0.6% in Q3 2016, according to the ONS, revised up by 0.1% from the previous estimate due to greater output in the business services and finance industries.

23 Dec 2016

Deutsche Bank pays $7.2bn to settle mortgage securities case

Deutsche Bank has announced that it reached a settlement totalling $7.2bn with the United States Department of Justice regarding the bank’s issuance and underwriting of residential mortgage-backed securities and related securitization activities between 2005 and 2007.

23 Dec 2016

US sues Barclays Bank over mortgage securities fraud

The United States Department of Justice has announced that it is suing Barclays Bank over the fraudulent sale of residential mortgage-backed securities in the run up to the financial crisis.

23 Dec 2016

Average cost of downsizing hits £18,000

In England, the cost of downsizing from an average family home to a flat is now at £17,843, according to online estate agent OwnerSellers.

23 Dec 2016

Government announces £60m fund to tackle second homes problem

The Government has set aside a new annual fund to help almost 150 councils tackle the problem of high levels of second homeownership in their communities.

23 Dec 2016

Under-25 homeownership rates halve in 20 years

Homeownership rates among 25-year-olds have fallen by more than half in 20 years, according to new data from the Local Government Association.

23 Dec 2016

TSB triples cashback and cuts BTL rates

TSB has tripled the cashback it offers to some homemovers from £250 to £750, matching the existing cashback offer of £750 available to selected first-time-buyers.

23 Dec 2016

Coventry for intermediaries tops broker survey

Coventry for intermediaries have been ranked number one for overall performance in an intermediary survey by Charterhouse Research.

22 Dec 2016

Landbay granted full FCA authorisation

Landbay, the peer-to-peer lending platform specialising in buy-to-let mortgages, has been granted full authorisation from the FCA, paving the way for the launch of its Innovative Finance ISA in the New Year.

22 Dec 2016

Former LV= employee jailed over data leak

Two people have been sentenced to 12 months in prison after a leak of confidential data by a former employee of LV= to a claims management company.

22 Dec 2016

Record number of properties selling below asking price

More than four in five (84%) properties sold for less than asking price in November, the highest number since records began in 2013, according to research from the National Association of Estate Agents.

22 Dec 2016

Holistic approach the only way for retirement finance

It has become apparent to anyone who takes even a passing interest in later life finance that new ways to fund retirement must be pursued as a matter of urgency. Traditional ways the general population have funded their later life – things like private pensions, savings, investments and the state pension – have grown so slowly over the past few decades that millions of retirees are staring at a retirement beset by financial struggle. Luckily for these same retirees, property is serving as a real financial safety net as one of the few investments that, on average, has performed well over time. And yet, the Government and the wider society still doesn't focus on the power housing wealth can have to help people fund their retirement – but give them time.

22 Dec 2016

Treasury Committee launches inquiry into monetary policy

The Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry into the effectiveness and impact of post-2008 monetary policy in the UK.

22 Dec 2016

Former Blackrock manager jailed for 12 months for insider dealing

He tried to hide his misconduct through the use of unregistered mobile phones and setting up a company in his wife’s maiden name in an overseas jurisdiction.

21 Dec 2016

TMA reveals 2017 mortgage market wish-list

TMA mortgage club has released its Christmas wish-list for the mortgage market in 2017.

21 Dec 2016

DWP to update rules on bulk DC transfers without member consent

The DWP is investigating how how current rules surrounding the bulk transfer of DC pensions without member consent could be improved.

21 Dec 2016

‘Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be’

When I was a child, I can remember hearing Doris Day singing the above song on the radio. 60 years later do the words of the song highlight the engagement issues with defined contribution pension schemes?

21 Dec 2016

Protection providers urged to offer incentives to existing clients

First Complete and Pink are calling for protection providers to offer existing customers the same deals as new joiners.

21 Dec 2016

2017: the year to bring GI into your offering

I have spent many years (more than I care to remember!) talking to brokers about general insurance. My message has always been the same - now is the time to capitalise on this opportunity.

21 Dec 2016

Residential transactions up 0.8% in November: HMRC

Residential property transactions have risen for the second consecutive month, increasing by 0.8% between October and November, according to the latest figures from HMRC.

21 Dec 2016