http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/ Daily Mortgage Adviser News. en-us Thu, 17 May 2012 14:27:45 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/move-by-google-hits-financial-comparison-website Google’s decision to launch a financial comparison service through its search engine is being watched warily by existing sites. Shares in Moneysupermarket have been hit to the tune of about 10%, with a warning by analysts Numis Securities, which downgraded Moneysupermarket stock from ‘hold’ to ‘sell’. Numis Securities says about two-thirds... Thu, 17 May 2012 06:41:14 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/move-by-google-hits-financial-comparison-website http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lending-to-ftbs-soars-74-but-violent-falls-ahead Lending to first-time buyers rocketed 74% in March as the ending of the Stamp Duty holiday loomed. In March, first-time buyers took out 24,000 loans, says the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This was not only 74% higher than February, but 57% higher than in March the year before. First-time buyers in March... Thu, 17 May 2012 06:39:34 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lending-to-ftbs-soars-74-but-violent-falls-ahead http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/hsbc-in-u-turn-over-conveyancing-row HSBC has largely climbed down over its decision to restrict its choice of conveyancers, following widespread protests and complaints – plus a petition to the Government with over 2,000 signatures. However, with up to 4,000 law and conveyancing firms still excluded by HSBC, it remains to be seen whether the bank has... Thu, 17 May 2012 06:38:24 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/hsbc-in-u-turn-over-conveyancing-row http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/adviser-jailed-after-conning-client An adviser who conned a widow out of £105,000 to help pay off his debts and set up a new mortgage firm has been given a 32-month jail sentence. Anthony Gough, 56, who had worked in the finance industry over 30 years, originally offered advice in life investments through his company,... Thu, 17 May 2012 06:37:06 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/adviser-jailed-after-conning-client http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsas-departing-staff-should-be-held-to-account An independent wealth management firm has hit out at the FSA, saying that it should be setting a better example. Addidi Wealth says that high-profile members of the FSA who have left, or are leaving, the regulator should be held to account. Meanwhile, another leading IFA has separately told the Treasury Select... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:40:37 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsas-departing-staff-should-be-held-to-account http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/banking-on-the-move-E28093-new-mobile-app-launches A new mobile phone app has been developed for banks and building societies which enables customers to use their mobiles to access their accounts and transfer money from one account to another. The app, from iState Systems, also allows customers to access up-to-date product information and send information and documents. This means... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:39:46 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/banking-on-the-move-E28093-new-mobile-app-launches http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-stings-swiss-bank-with-fines-over-money-laundering The FSA has fined a bank and its former money laundering reporting officer over failing to take reasonable care, over a three-year period, to establish and maintain adequate anti-money laundering controls. The bank, Habib, is a privately owned Swiss bank with 12 UK branches and around 15,500 customers – almost half... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:38:55 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-stings-swiss-bank-with-fines-over-money-laundering http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/appeals-to-lenders-to-support-self-build-projects Housing minister Grant Shapps has launched a £30m fund to provide short-term finance for self-builders. He will also be writing to mainstream lenders asking them to provide finance for self-build projects. Shapps’ actions come after he and self-build champion Kevin McCloud went on a fact-finding trip in the Netherlands. Their visit took... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:37:07 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/appeals-to-lenders-to-support-self-build-projects http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/association-of-short-term-lenders-swells-its-ranks The Association of Short Term Lenders has a new associate member, NCI, bringing the total number to 20. NCI is a provider of field services to the short-term lending industry. Short-term lenders use NCI to check out loan applicants before granting them a loan and then commission them to contact the borrower towards... Wed, 16 May 2012 06:35:08 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/association-of-short-term-lenders-swells-its-ranks http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-lending-will-hit-new-low-this-year-says-mab-boss Mortgage lending this year will fall to a new low, the head of Mortgage Advice Bureau has said. CEO Peter Brodnicki estimates that the total mortgage market in 2012 will be £125bn. He said: “We have not been that low before, but with Santander announcing that it will be lending £10bn... Tue, 15 May 2012 06:57:36 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-lending-will-hit-new-low-this-year-says-mab-boss http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/natwest-opens-its-doors-to-200-da-firms NatWest Intermediary Solutions is today opening its products to more brokers.   The apparent concession follows its decision in March, when NatWest Intermediary Solutions announced that its corporate range of mortgages would be available only to a panel of selected AR firms, but that it would monitor the situation. Following a review,... Tue, 15 May 2012 06:55:39 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/natwest-opens-its-doors-to-200-da-firms http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/trigoldcrystal-is-bought-by-technology-firm-avelo Mortgage sourcing specialist TrigoldCrystal has been sold for an undisclosed sum to technology firm Avelo which runs Avelo Exchange, a broker portal. Chris Noblet, managing director of Avelo, said: “TrigoldCrystal is already a strong business and we believe that combined with our established market position, our joint customer groups will benefit... Tue, 15 May 2012 06:54:22 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/trigoldcrystal-is-bought-by-technology-firm-avelo http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/paragon-hits-back-at-ex-chancellor-on-buy-to-let-buy-to-let A buy-to-let lender has reacted icily to former Chancellor Alistair Darling’s description of the private rental market as ‘inadequate’. Paragon said it was time that politicians stopped pushing home ownership. Darling said at the Building Societies Association conference last week: “If we are going to buy houses later on in life, then... Tue, 15 May 2012 06:52:56 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/paragon-hits-back-at-ex-chancellor-on-buy-to-let-buy-to-let http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/asking-prices-rise-as-property-drought-tightens Asking prices for homes on the market in England and Wales have moved up 0.5% over the last month, as the shortage of property for sale becomes more marked. The overall supply of homes is 19% lower than a year ago, while in Wales it is 25% lower. In Greater London, the... Tue, 15 May 2012 06:51:17 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/asking-prices-rise-as-property-drought-tightens http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/santander-enters-newbuy-with-seven-year-fix Santander is launching into the NewBuy arena as from today. Its 95% mortgage products will be available through brokers on the panels of just four builders – Barratt Homes, Berkeley, Bovis Homes and Persimmon. All come with a free standard mortgage valuation plus £250 cashback, and products include three- and five-year fixes at... Mon, 14 May 2012 06:40:03 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/santander-enters-newbuy-with-seven-year-fix http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/buy-to-let-investors-bullish-about-market-prospects Property investors remain positive about the outlook for the buy-to-let market. According to the latest Landlord Survey conducted by specialist lender CHL Mortgages, nearly three-quarters (71%) of respondents are positive about the prospects for the buy-to-let market, with only 5% feeling negative. This percentage of optimists is a fraction down from the... Mon, 14 May 2012 06:38:56 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/buy-to-let-investors-bullish-about-market-prospects http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fssa-delays-rules-for-banks-crisis-planning Final rules on how firms should crisis-plan and prepare recovery and resolution plans – something that Northern Rock, for example, should have had in place prior to its collapse – have been delayed until autumn. The FSA has meanwhile published a feedback statement which it says provides firms with clarity regarding what... Mon, 14 May 2012 06:37:19 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fssa-delays-rules-for-banks-crisis-planning http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/move-with-us-launch-probate-lending-service Property specialist Move with Us has developed a secured executor lending service for the probate market, which will enable clients to release some of the equity held within an estate under probate. The new service is aimed at easing anxiety for executors during what can be a very difficult time, helping... Mon, 14 May 2012 06:36:30 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/move-with-us-launch-probate-lending-service http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/conveyancers-sign-up-to-search-code The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has announced that it will be recognising the Search Code and will be urging its members to only accept and commission searches from Code compliant subscribers, with immediate effect.   Over recent weeks, the SLC has met with the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), owner... Mon, 14 May 2012 06:35:19 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/conveyancers-sign-up-to-search-code http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/home-owners-gung-ho-about-housing-market Despite the welter of uncertain news about the housing market, optimism among home owners is on the up, with more than one third expecting house prices to be higher in 12 months’ time. Furthermore, nearly half (46%) regard today’s house prices as fair and reasonable. According to a consumer confidence survey released... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:59:17 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/home-owners-gung-ho-about-housing-market http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/repossessions-set-to-fall-below-forecast-levels Official forecasts for the number of repossessions this year may be reduced this summer, down from the initial prediction of 45,000. Although the number of mortgage borrowers in the most serious arrears has increased, overall figures are unchanged from a year ago. The Council of Mortgage Lenders says that the number of ... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:57:30 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/repossessions-set-to-fall-below-forecast-levels http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/masterclass-in-equity-release-planned-for-advisers Bridgewater Equity Release is to hold an equity release advice masterclass, designed for advisers who want to be true experts in their field.   The event will be held in Bury, Lancashire, on May 30. Peter Welch, head of sales and distribution at Bridgewater, said: “This is the first such masterclass we have... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:56:35 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/masterclass-in-equity-release-planned-for-advisers http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/creditors-of-failed-bridging-loans-firm-will-not-get-money-back Unsecured creditors who were owed more than £4m by failed bridging loans firm Catalyst Securities are unlikely to receive any money. The firm was placed into administration last year with 14 outstanding loans on its books – all in default, and two of which are still the subject of litigation. Joint administrators... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:55:33 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/creditors-of-failed-bridging-loans-firm-will-not-get-money-back http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-boss-tells-mutuals-to-put-their-members-first Martin Wheatley, managing director of the FSA and CEO designate of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), yesterday stressed that building societies must continue to be committed to their members, and that the regulator would ‘treat everyone the same, big or small, bank or building society’. Speaking at the Building Societies Association’s... Fri, 11 May 2012 06:54:51 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-boss-tells-mutuals-to-put-their-members-first http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/newbuy-mortgage-scheme-in-trouble-say-builders There is rising concern that the Government’s flagship NewBuy scheme has hit trouble, just two months after its launch. The scheme, which launched on March 12, allows first-time buyers and home movers to purchase a new-build house worth up to £500,000 with a 95% mortgage, with taxpayers and developers underwriting the... Thu, 10 May 2012 06:47:30 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/newbuy-mortgage-scheme-in-trouble-say-builders http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/one-third-of-house-sellers-cut-their-asking-prices One third (34%) of properties currently for sale have been reduced in price since first coming on to the market, says property portal Zoopla. But the proportion is down from 37% in February. The average discount is £19,012, or 7.5% of the original asking price – £500 less than in February.   The... Thu, 10 May 2012 06:46:42 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/one-third-of-house-sellers-cut-their-asking-prices http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-training-academy-launches-to-teach-advisers-about-selling-protection Pink and Aviva have launched a training academy which will take both mortgage advisers who are not used to selling protection and people new to the industry, and provide them with in-depth training on how to sell protection products.   The training will take place over a 12-month programme including face–to-face... Thu, 10 May 2012 06:45:10 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-training-academy-launches-to-teach-advisers-about-selling-protection http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/bridging-lender-chops-rate-by-05 Bridging lender Crystal Mortgages has chopped the rate of its three-month loan offering for both residential and commercial properties to 0.75% per month – a 0.5% cut on the previous rate. The company, which is guaranteeing to return two months’ interest should the account be settled in month one, is also... Thu, 10 May 2012 06:44:32 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/bridging-lender-chops-rate-by-05 http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/loan-broker-is-wound-up-in-the-high-court A loan broker has been wound up by the High Court after action by the Insolvency Service’s Companies Investigation Unit. First Money Direct, based in Manchester, was owned by Naji Zaibunnisa, 39. It targeted members of the public who had previously been turned away by other lenders and charged them ‘administration’ fees... Thu, 10 May 2012 06:43:06 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/loan-broker-is-wound-up-in-the-high-court http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-to-start-rising-again-next-year Although values will fall marginally this year, house prices will start to rise again next year and could increase by as much as 8% over the next three years. The forecast has come from property consultancy CBRE, which also says that prime central London will continue to outperform the wider housing... Wed, 09 May 2012 06:43:06 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-to-start-rising-again-next-year http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/aldermore-mortgage-lending-passes-E2A31bn-mark British bank Aldermore has lent more than £1bn worth of residential and commercial mortgages since launching in the summer of 2009. Mark Stephens, group managing director of Aldermore’s mortgage division, said: “This is a fantastic result at a time when the general economy and the housing market have both been in... Wed, 09 May 2012 06:42:24 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/aldermore-mortgage-lending-passes-E2A31bn-mark http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/landlords-drive-up-buy-to-let-remortgaging Buy-to-let remortgaging is on the rise, says haart, as landlords seek to free up equity to make further property purchases. It says that the percentage of people looking to remortgage has risen to its highest level so far this year. The firm says it is also seeing an increasing number of first-time... Wed, 09 May 2012 06:41:40 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/landlords-drive-up-buy-to-let-remortgaging http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/supermarket-pledges-to-undercut-rivals-cheaper-rates-on-loans Sainsbury’s Bank has launched a ‘Price Promise Guarantee’ whereby if any customer successfully applies for its standard personal loan but secures a better rate elsewhere with another provider, the supermarket bank will beat it.   The new guarantee applies to all standard loans from £1,000 to £25,000.      If a customer’s claim is successful,... Wed, 09 May 2012 06:40:11 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/supermarket-pledges-to-undercut-rivals-cheaper-rates-on-loans http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-hits-london-insurance-office-with-E2A335m-fine The FSA has hit the London subsidiary of one of the world’s largest insurance groups with a fine of almost £3.5m and fined its former chairman. It fined Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company (Europe) Ltd (MSIEu) £3,345,000 for serious corporate governance failings and imposed a ban and fine of £119,303 on its... Wed, 09 May 2012 06:38:39 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-hits-london-insurance-office-with-E2A335m-fine http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/banks-still-not-treating-customers-properly-says-fsa-chief There are still unresolved issues about the way customers are treated by the financial services industry, Martin Wheatley, managing director of the FSA, has said. Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, Wheatley said that many of the lessons of the crisis had been learned, but there was still... Tue, 08 May 2012 06:43:01 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/banks-still-not-treating-customers-properly-says-fsa-chief http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/housing-market-recovery-runs-out-of-steam-says-rics The more optimistic outlook for the residential property market appears to have run out of steam in April, the RICS reported this morning. Across the country, chartered surveyors reported flat demand, decreases in newly agreed sales and prices either static or falling. London was again the only area where prices rose, albeit... Tue, 08 May 2012 06:42:07 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/housing-market-recovery-runs-out-of-steam-says-rics http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/halifax-launches-one-stop-property-shop-app Halifax is launching a ‘home finder’ app, designed to be a one-stop shop for home hunters. It combines mortgage affordability calculators, local area information, property buying guides, access to Land Registry prices, and a property search facility powered by FindaProperty. Available to download on iPhone, the free Halifax app also incorporates the... Tue, 08 May 2012 06:41:19 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/halifax-launches-one-stop-property-shop-app http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lending-to-ftbs-soars-in-march Lending to first-time buyers leapt in March, with loans by building societies more than double those to FTBs in March last year. A total of around 6,500 mortgages were lent by mutuals to FTBs, compared with 3,100 in March 2011. Around two-thirds were estimated to have benefited from the Stamp Duty... Tue, 08 May 2012 06:39:06 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lending-to-ftbs-soars-in-march http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-lending-sinks-to-lowest-for-38-years Lending for house purchase last year was the lowest for 38 years, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has reported. It has also criticised the Government for ‘less helpful’ policies towards the housing and mortgage markets, which it says will increase repossessions. Martijn van der Jeijden, chairman of the CML, says in his... Fri, 04 May 2012 06:54:17 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-lending-sinks-to-lowest-for-38-years http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-manage-to-go-both-up-and-down Are house prices going down or up? It is the question on everyone’s lips, and luckily, thanks to Nationwide, it is now perfectly possible to reply: both. House prices were yesterday widely reported to have slipped by 0.2% according to Nationwide’s house price index for April. And thanks to our old friend... Fri, 04 May 2012 06:53:15 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-manage-to-go-both-up-and-down http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/drying-up-of-flood-insurance-to-create-mortgage-prisoners Lenders have been officially warned that an increasing number of properties are to become uninsurable and unmortgageable, creating mortgage prisoners marooned in their own homes. The warning has come from the Council of Mortgage Lenders in a briefing about flood insurance. It is so concerned that it has written to environment minister... Fri, 04 May 2012 06:52:19 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/drying-up-of-flood-insurance-to-create-mortgage-prisoners http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-expo-wins-cpd-status This month’s Mortgage Business Expo in Manchester has achieved CPD (Continuous Professional Development) Event Accreditation from the Chartered Insurance Institute.   MBE Manchester takes place on May 23 at Lancashire County Cricket Club.   This is the first time MBE Manchester has achieved such accreditation and it means all delegates are now able to... Fri, 04 May 2012 06:51:11 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-expo-wins-cpd-status http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/more-people-turning-to-equity-release Equity release edged up in the first quarter of 2012 with both plan sales and total lending climbing.   Total lending rose to £217.1m in the first three months of 2012 and would have topped £300m if £83.8m of untapped drawdown funds which have yet to be released are added in.   The number... Thu, 03 May 2012 06:46:59 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/more-people-turning-to-equity-release http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/co-op-pulls-out-of-interest-only-mortgages The Co-operative Bank is to pull the plug on new interest-only residential mortgages. It is the first major lender to do, paving the way for others to do the same. Notably, the bank already has some 60,000 customers on interest-only, but their ranks will not be swelled. From next Tuesday, Co-op... Thu, 03 May 2012 06:46:23 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/co-op-pulls-out-of-interest-only-mortgages http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lloyds-bodss-hits-out-at-fraud-by-claims-management-companies One in four claims made against Lloyds Banking Group for alleged mis-selling of PPI is fraudulent. The bank’s chief executive, Antonio Horta-Osorio, tore into claims management firms for submitting demands “on behalf of customers who do not even have a PPI policy with us”. Describing the situation as unacceptable, he added: “We... Thu, 03 May 2012 06:45:17 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lloyds-bodss-hits-out-at-fraud-by-claims-management-companies http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/seven-in-ten-borrowers-worried-about-mortgage-rates More than one in ten mortgage borrowers would be at risk of possession if their repayments increased by just £100 per month. According to consumer group Which? 11% would be unable to meet repayments faced with a £100 rise, and 20% would struggle to buy essential such as food. Some 14% say... Thu, 03 May 2012 06:44:07 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/seven-in-ten-borrowers-worried-about-mortgage-rates http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/london-house-prices-in-surprise-tumble-says-land-registry--- House prices dropped by 0.6% in March, the Land Registry has reported, bringing the average selling price in England and Wales to £160,372 – also 0.6% lower than a year ago. But the big surprise is that the Land Registry shows house prices to have fallen in London, by 1.8%, while... Wed, 02 May 2012 06:54:35 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/london-house-prices-in-surprise-tumble-says-land-registry--- http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/-but-pipeline-business-showing-signs-of-life The UK housing market is showing signs of improving pipeline business, says the ‘man with the boards’. Although it is not clear whether Agency Express has improved its own market share, according to its latest figures, month-on-month data for April 2012 shows that For Sale signs converting to Sold increased by... Wed, 02 May 2012 06:54:04 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/-but-pipeline-business-showing-signs-of-life http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/natwest-unveils-new-interest-only-deals NatWest Intermediary Solutions is today launching six new fixed rate purchase and remortgage deals to its corporate range, four of which are available on an interest-only basis. In addition, there is a new exclusive 90% LTV deal for ARs of Sesame and Connells.  This is a two-year fix at 6.19%, 90%... Wed, 02 May 2012 06:53:21 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/natwest-unveils-new-interest-only-deals http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/portillion-shuts-up-shop-as-it-gives-up-on-lending Portillion, the would-be mortgage lender, has closed down. It has shut its office in Farnborough, Hampshire, and made its staff redundant. Around 20 people had been employed by the firm, which was launched by former GMAC-RFC boss Stephen Knight. The firm had planned to launch into mortgages and savings in 2011, but Knight... Wed, 02 May 2012 06:52:54 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/portillion-shuts-up-shop-as-it-gives-up-on-lending http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-pro-shakes-up-way-advisers-get-paid National mortgage and protection brokerage Mortgage Pro is recruiting new advisers, promising payment of broker fees as soon as the offer is produced by the lender.   Mortgage Pro says it has 15 vacancies for experienced professionals based in Manchester, Yorkshire, Coventry, Reading, Bristol, South Wales, outer north London and the home... Tue, 01 May 2012 06:50:58 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-pro-shakes-up-way-advisers-get-paid http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/inquiries-double-for-new-self-employed-mortgage Brightstar Financial, an intermediary hub for specialist lending, says inquiries from advisers for business owners have doubled since the launch of its self-employed exclusive product in partnership with Kent Reliance. Launched at the beginning of March, the product offers a two-year discounted rate with no ERCs at any point. Applicants have... Tue, 01 May 2012 06:50:12 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/inquiries-double-for-new-self-employed-mortgage http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/sesame-bankhall-shapes-up-restricted-advice-panel Sesame Bankhall Group has announced the initial product providers for its new restricted advice proposition to be launched this autumn. The new service will form part of the group’s expanded range of offerings for adviser firms to choose from in the RDR world.   The bank will offer a restricted advice option alongside... Tue, 01 May 2012 06:49:18 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/sesame-bankhall-shapes-up-restricted-advice-panel http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/arch-cru-investors-set-to-get-compensation Investors in the collapsed Arch Cru funds could receive £100m more compensation from a consumer redress scheme set up by the FSA. The FSA has now launched a three-month consultation on the scheme, which will be funded by firms that mis-sold the CF Arch Cru Investment and Diversified funds. While the move could... Tue, 01 May 2012 06:48:18 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/arch-cru-investors-set-to-get-compensation http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-edge-up-but-falls-likely-as-demand-slows House prices nudged up for the second month running, by just 0.1% this month, but slowing growth in demand and rising supply is set to reverse the price trend, Hometrack reported this morning. Separately, the British Bankers Association said that just 31,888 mortgages were approved for house purchase last month –... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:40:04 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/house-prices-edge-up-but-falls-likely-as-demand-slows http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/four-in-ten-of-mortgage-applications-from-ftbs-says-haart The end of Stamp Duty Relief on properties up to £250,000 drove up mortgage applications from first-time buyers during the first quarter of 2012 to almost four in ten of all applications.   Figures from haart estate agents show that first-time buyers accounted for 35.9% of all mortgage applications between January and... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:38:38 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/four-in-ten-of-mortgage-applications-from-ftbs-says-haart http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-alert-on-property-hijacking The Financial Services Authority has sent out a warning about ‘property hijacking’ – the practice whereby fraudsters try to raise mortgages on empty properties that they do not own. The FSA says it has seen an increase in cases of property hijacking. The warning has gone out to smaller mortgage broking firms,... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:37:23 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-alert-on-property-hijacking http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/yet-another-developer-raises-newbuy-concerns Taylor Wimpey has become the latest large developer to raise concerns about the NewBuy mortgage scheme. Chief executive Peter Redfern said there has been “strong interest from customers” but warned: “Its success will depend on lenders providing competitively-priced mortgage products.” Developers have become increasingly concerned that the rates being charged on NewBuy... Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:36:13 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/yet-another-developer-raises-newbuy-concerns http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/peter-ambrose3A-blog With transactions becoming more complex, anti-money laundering restrictions more onerous and lenders more demanding, mortgage brokers and estate agents know that a client’s choice of lawyer has never been more critical to the success or otherwise of a deal. Given that frustration levels are rising among agents whose clients choose cheap... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:12:52 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/peter-ambrose3A-blog http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/santander-set-to-cut-mortgage-lending Mortgage giant Santander UK wrote roughly one in six mortgages in the first three months of this year by increasing its gross mortgage lending by 34%. But it warns that its lending will now contract. Santander lent £5.6bn in the first quarter – equivalent to a market share of 17.6% – compared with... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:01:03 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/santander-set-to-cut-mortgage-lending http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mystery-as-shawbrook-bank-boss-decides-to-walk The chief executive of Shawbrook Bank, the specialist savings and lending bank which launched only seven months ago, has quit the organisation. The seemingly abrupt departure was announced yesterday afternoon, with the statement saying that Owen Woodley would no longer be in the office after today. No explanation was offered as... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:00:21 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mystery-as-shawbrook-bank-boss-decides-to-walk http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/countrywide-boss-slams-government-over-housing-policies Countrywide, the UK’s largest estate agent and mortgage broking network, has announced its strongest Q1 financial results since the market collapsed in 2007 – and simultaneously torn into the Government over its ‘ineffective’ housing policies. The group said that ‘at best’, the lending market this year would be flat, and it... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:57:42 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/countrywide-boss-slams-government-over-housing-policies http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fresh-concerns-as-more-lenders-clamp-down-on-conveyancing Estate agents are already advising clients that if they go to HSBC for a mortgage, they could experience long conveyancing delays. But HSBC is by no means the only offender, conveyancing expert Peter Ambrose warns. Indeed, he names one lender that he reckons could make things even worse. Get up to speed with... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:57:23 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fresh-concerns-as-more-lenders-clamp-down-on-conveyancing http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/march-house-sales-soared-says-taxman Residential property sales surged in March, latest figures from HMRC have confirmed. It says there were 74,000 completed home sales during the month, an increase of 11,000 on February’s total of 63,000. Whilst March house sales figures have risen over February’s for three years running, there are signs that this March’s figures... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:44:45 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/march-house-sales-soared-says-taxman http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-brain-launches-new-app-to-promote-brokers Mortgage Brain has launched a mobile phone app solution to promote brokers and mortgage products to UK consumers.   The app has been launched initially on the iPhone but will be made available on the iPad and Android devices.   The app, which is free to consumers, includes a high-level consumer-facing mortgage search and... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:44:10 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-brain-launches-new-app-to-promote-brokers http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/rich-borrowers-take-over-E2A322m-plus-mortgages Enness Private Clients, a large mortgage and high net worth specialist, has been coming up with loans averaging over £2.2m during the first quarter of this year.   The average loan size it handled through private banks was £2,247,008, up from the £1,518,000 average throughout 2011.   The figure increases further when domestic buyers... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:42:24 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/rich-borrowers-take-over-E2A322m-plus-mortgages http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/ban-on-selling-death-bonds-here-to-stay-says-fsa The FSA has confirmed that so-called ‘death bonds’ must not generally be sold in the UK and that it will be issuing new rules. It has confirmed its earlier guidance that traded life policy investments (TLPIs) are high-risk products that should not be promoted to the vast majority of retail investors... Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:40:53 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/ban-on-selling-death-bonds-here-to-stay-says-fsa http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/public-grows-in-confidence-over-housing-market People are growing in confidence about the housing market, two new surveys have claimed. A third survey separately pinpoints growing optimism among first-time buyers. Halifax said this morning that 39% of respondents to its ‘Housing Market Confidence tracker’ poll believe house prices nationally will increase next year – almost double the... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:19:34 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/public-grows-in-confidence-over-housing-market http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/shapps-launches-bid-to-turn-britain-into-nation-of-self-builders A package of measures to give as many people as possible the opportunity to build their own homes has been launched by housing minister Grant Shapps – amid the astonishing claim that 14,000 people a year are already self-building. If correct, the number puts the achievements of Britain’s biggest builders well... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:18:50 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/shapps-launches-bid-to-turn-britain-into-nation-of-self-builders http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/pink-network-business-turns-rosy Pink, now part of the LSL Group, says it increased its mortgages completions by 28% in March, compared with the same month last year. It says that it has increased the amount of support it offers its members, with advisers writing more business as a result. Pink has also expanded and has... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:17:52 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/pink-network-business-turns-rosy http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/first-newbuy-home-sale-is-reported Developer Bovis Homes has announced that one of its customers has become the first person in England to buy a home with a NewBuy mortgage. The buyer from Cambridgeshire has purchased a two-bedroom apartment through Nationwide. Bovis CEO David Ritchie said: “We are delighted that NewBuy has helped this customer into their... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:16:59 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/first-newbuy-home-sale-is-reported http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/transparency-with-bridgebank-E28093-no-upfront-fees-and-no-loading-of-costs21 Bridgebank Capital have reiterated their policy not to charge upfront administration costs for processing bridging loan applications, whilst emphasising that they do not load  fee charges for themselves onto third party disbursed costs such as Valuation Fees or Legal Fees. Therefore with no hidden or loaded fees charged to borrowers,... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:58:07 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/transparency-with-bridgebank-E28093-no-upfront-fees-and-no-loading-of-costs21 http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/first-time-buyers-boost-mortgage-lending-by-30 Gross mortgage lending in March shot up as first-time buyers rushed to complete house purchases ahead of the ending of the Stamp Duty holiday. But the figures could have been a storm before the calm, with predictions that lending will now slump. Gross mortgage lending rose to an estimated £13.4bn in March,... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:43:03 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/first-time-buyers-boost-mortgage-lending-by-30 http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/home-insurers-under-fire-for-wriggling-out-of-claims A drainage insurance specialist is calling on the home insurance industry to explain the term ‘serviceable’ which it says is being increasingly used to reject drainage insurance claims. The firm, Drain Claim, says it is is currently seeing half of customers’ drain insurance claims either wholly or partially rejected as ‘serviceable’,... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:41:20 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/home-insurers-under-fire-for-wriggling-out-of-claims http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/barclays-launches-new-fixes-for-svr-runaways Barclays is today launching four fixed rate mortgages, trumpeting them as an ‘escape’ from other lenders’ SVR hikes. The deals include a two-year ‘Great Escape’ remortgage package priced at 3.89% for 70% LTV, which allows customers to switch their mortgage to Barclays with no application fee, free legal work, free valuation... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:39:41 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/barclays-launches-new-fixes-for-svr-runaways http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/exeter-family-friendly-pays-out-on-the-nail Mutual protection and healthcare insurer Exeter Family Friendly paid out 95% of its income protection claims last year.   Chief executive Andy Chapman said: “It’s quite simple: paying claims is what we’re about and what we exist for, so I’m delighted to release these statistics as our continued commitment to engaging advisers... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:38:22 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/exeter-family-friendly-pays-out-on-the-nail http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/newbuy-mortgage-scheme-comes-under-fire Lenders have been accused of undermining one of the Government’s flagship housing schemes by charging excessively steep rates on NewBuy mortgages. The accusation has come from Mike Farley, chief executive of Persimmon Homes, which has just announced that weekly sales are up 20% on a year ago. Under the NewBuy Guarantee, taxpayers... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:15:33 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/newbuy-mortgage-scheme-comes-under-fire http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/ppi-clients-encouraged-to-make-their-own-claims Consumer watchdog Consumer Focus has praised the joint campaign by MoneySavingExpert.com and Which? to help consumers claim their own compensation for mis-sold PPI. Sarah Brooks, director of financial services at Consumer Focus, said: “We welcome this initiative. We want to see compensation money going back to the consumers who were mis-sold,... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:13:52 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/ppi-clients-encouraged-to-make-their-own-claims http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/former-co-op-boss-gets-E2A346m-pay-off The  former boss of the Co-operative Bank, Neville Richardson, received a total pay-off of £4.6m after he left the group last year. The annual report shows that as well as a compensation payment of £1.39m for loss of office, the Co-op continued to pay Richardson £380,000 in salary after he stepped... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:12:57 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/former-co-op-boss-gets-E2A346m-pay-off http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lasvegas-competition-draws-in-the-punters West One Loans, the privately funded bridging lender, says it has seen broker inquiries increase by almost a third (30%) since it launched a competition for ten brokers to win a trip to Las Vegas at the beginning of March.   The competition offers the chance to win return flights to Las... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:11:26 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lasvegas-competition-draws-in-the-punters http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-proposals-for-mortgage-prisoners-come-under-fire Proposals by the FSA to put transitional arrangements in place to help ‘mortgage prisoners’ are too onerous and will not work, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has said. It says the FSA should instead allow exceptions to lenders’ responsible lending policies, as long as loans still comply with the rules. Borrowers who... Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:52:49 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-proposals-for-mortgage-prisoners-come-under-fire http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-is-told-what-brokers-really-think-of-mmr Results collated from a total of 2,697 questionnaires giving brokers’ feedback on MMR have been delivered to the FSA. They were received as part of a ‘join in the debate’ campaign by tcfinfo. The move was prompted after research taken by the website last year showed that 92% of brokers had not... Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:51:58 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-is-told-what-brokers-really-think-of-mmr http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/rightmove-clocks-up-1m-views-for-firstbuy The FirstBuy homepage on property portal Rightmove has reached the landmark of achieving one million page views. The page was launched to coincide with the launch of the new-build FirstBuy scheme just over a year ago and has proved to be a huge success with first-time buyers seeking information about the... Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:51:12 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/rightmove-clocks-up-1m-views-for-firstbuy http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/another-lender-slashes-ltvs-on-interest-only-deals ING Direct has become the latest lender to clamp down on interest-only lending, cutting its maximum LTV from 75% to 50%. Borrowers can top up their borrowing to 80% as long as 30% is on a capital repayment basis. Where the repayment vehicle is the sale of the property, ING will insist... Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:50:32 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/another-lender-slashes-ltvs-on-interest-only-deals http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/broker-jailed-after-string-of-mortgage-frauds A mortgage broker is one of two men who have been jailed for a total of twelve and a half years after being found guilty of multiple mortgage frauds. Tahir Malik, 44, and Patrick Kamande, 34, both of Slough, were sentenced to six and a half years and six years respectively... Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:49:57 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/broker-jailed-after-string-of-mortgage-frauds http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-rapped-for-unclear-stance-on-charging The FSA has come under fire for its stance on client charging structures. Anna Sofat, director of Addidi Wealth, said the regulator was being inconsistent. She said: “The FSA has got to come out with a clear set of rules on client retainer fees. It has said recently that IFAs cannot charge... Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:50:43 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/fsa-rapped-for-unclear-stance-on-charging http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-sourcing-service-for-overseas-mortgages Connect Overseas, an international mortgage specialist, has released a free website ‘plug-in’ for brokers which enables them to offer foreign mortgage sourcing to clients.   Liz Syms, managing director of Connect Overseas, said: “Our foreign mortgage service for intermediaries is a growing part of our business and we are aiming to provide... Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:49:42 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-sourcing-service-for-overseas-mortgages http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-fraud-rises-for-fifth-year-running Mortgage fraud rose 8% last year, says credit information agency Experian. It says that around 34 in every 1,000 mortgage applications were identified as fraudulent. It was the fifth year in succession that mortgage fraud went up. Almost all attempted mortgage frauds last year involved people misrepresenting their personal circumstances, such as... Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:49:01 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-fraud-rises-for-fifth-year-running http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/boiler-room-fraudsters-work-harder-but-with-less-success Boiler room fraudsters are working harder than ever to con consumers – but are meeting with less success. The FSA has published statistics that show there were more reports of share fraud activity in 2011 than 2010, but that fewer people lost money.   In 2011 the FSA saw a 19% increase in... Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:47:21 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/boiler-room-fraudsters-work-harder-but-with-less-success http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/advisers-urged-not-to-be-wary-of-asu-products Advisers should not fight shy of sales of accident, sickness and unemployment insurance products, despite rule changes earlier this month. The advice comes from insurance wholesaler Berkeley Alexander, following the last phase of the Competition Commission’s rules on ASU products which came into force on April 6. Berkeley Alexander says that the... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:39:35 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/advisers-urged-not-to-be-wary-of-asu-products http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-buy-to-let-service-keystone-launched A new buy-to-let lending service has been launched as a co-venture between Mortgages for Business and Aldermore Commercial Mortgages. Keystone Buy to Let Mortgages will provide a fresh funding line for professional property investors from Aldermore Commercial Mortgages, with access to the products available exclusively through Mortgages for Business, which will... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:38:43 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-buy-to-let-service-keystone-launched http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/hml-to-host-next-lean-group Specialist financial outsourcer HML, a subsidiary of Skipton Building Society, is to host the next meeting of the Lean Service Forum (LSF) at its headquarters in Skipton next Tuesday, April 24. During the day, forum members will hear about ‘Outsourced customer experience in financial services – HML’s journey’ and have the... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:37:59 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/hml-to-host-next-lean-group http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/more-long-term-care-products-needed Research by independent financial research company Defaqto shows that 71% of advisers believe that providers should create new pre-funded long-term care products. The research follows last summer’s report by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support, ‘Fairer Funding for All’. The Dilnot report made a number of recommendations including a call... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:37:06 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/more-long-term-care-products-needed http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-brain-announces-new-free-seminars-for-advisers Mortgage Brain is taking to the road again to host a number of new events this spring.   The half-day events, which are free to attend for all intermediaries, include ‘Working Smarter’ presentations from industry experts on how to generate new sources of income.   Mark Lofthouse, CEO of Mortgage Brain, said: “Hundreds of... Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:35:41 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/mortgage-brain-announces-new-free-seminars-for-advisers http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/stamp-duty-land-tax-planning Stamp Duty Land Tax Planning All properties purchased in the UK are subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). With our SDLT planning we can help clients to reduce the SDLT due on leasehold or freehold residential properties, commercial properties and land. Who is it for? We operate several different schemes that can... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:26:31 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/stamp-duty-land-tax-planning http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/bridgebank-smashes-new-business-level-records Bridgebank Capital are delighted and encouraged to report that they continue to break  New Business Activity levels and record that enquiries and applications for Q1 2012 were up 27% on the previous year. Head of Marketing, Emma Hodson, has reported positive introducer feedback to Bridgebank’s recent advertising and marketing campaigns which... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:09:21 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/bridgebank-smashes-new-business-level-records http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-warnings-over-eu-plans-to-clamp-down-on-btl-loans EU plans to clamp down on buy-to-let mortgage lending could limit the future growth of the UK’s buy-to-let sector. The warning has come from the property analyst firm Hometrack. It says that the change is due to come into force this year ‘despite widespread opposition from the industry’. Under the draft directive on... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:43:23 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/new-warnings-over-eu-plans-to-clamp-down-on-btl-loans http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lending-to-first-time-buyers-in-sharp-rise Lending to first-time buyers shot up by 8% in February compared with January, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has reported. Altogether, 14,100 loans worth £1.7bn were taken out by first-time buyers, who may have been trying to beat the ending of the Stamp Duty holiday. There were also more mortgages for home... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:42:36 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/lending-to-first-time-buyers-in-sharp-rise http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/halifax-enters-newbuy-scheme-but-looks-reluctant Halifax has become the fourth lender to launch products for the Government’s 95% NewBuy scheme. It follows NatWest, Nationwide and Barclays. Halifax’s products will be available to customers buying from nine builders: Barratt (including David Wilson and Ward), Persimmon (including Charles Church), Taylor Wimpey, Bellway, Linden (Galliford Try), Redrow, Bovis, Crest Nicholson... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:40:26 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/halifax-enters-newbuy-scheme-but-looks-reluctant http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/merger-between-rightmove-rivals-set-to-shake-up-market The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has finally given clearance for the proposed merger between two sets of property portals, Digital Property Group  and Zoopla, to go ahead. The transaction is now expected to complete within the next few weeks, said the two businesses in a joint statement,  'and will... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:38:54 GMT http://www.introducertoday.co.uk/news_features/merger-between-rightmove-rivals-set-to-shake-up-market