News

The number of mortgages advanced to first-time buyers rose by almost a quarter in 2013, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said today.

Barclays is facing a potential backlash after it increased its bonus pool for investment bankers by 10% despite a fall in profits and 12,000 employees facing the axe.

Competition for mortgages continues to thrive, with local lenders including Norwich & Peterborough, Loughborough, and Nottingham Building Societies all unveiling impressive new deals this week.

First-time buyers continued to power housing market activity in January, according to a new survey, as the rush to secure a home goes on.

The battle to reclaim funds from Iceland's banking collapse has reignited amid concerns that British banks will have to foot the bill for compensating savers.

The number of 95% loan-to-value mortgage deals has trebled in the last six months, as banks rediscover their appetite for this area of the market.

Barclays has said it will compensate thousands of customers whose data was sold on the black market.

Savers are facing another year of meagre returns after the Bank of England hinted that interest rates could remain on hold for another year.

The Yorkshire Building Society has pledged to refund all fees on mortgage arrears for the last five years after the City regulator found that some customers had faced incorrect charges.

Homebuyers have been alerted to the higher stamp duty burden they could face as house prices continue to rise.

Nationwide has launched a new long-term balance transfer credit card with a rock-bottom fee that should prove a genuine competitor in a thriving marketplace.

The Hanley Economic Building Society has kept up the pressure on major lenders with sweeping reductions of up to 0.70% across its mortgage range.

Gross mortgage lending rose by a third in January on the previous year, according to latest figures.

Profits are up at the Nationwide Building Society as it boosted mortgage lending in 2013 and attracted hundreds of thousands of new current account customers.

HSBC has pledged to make its best ISA rates available to current account customers and to end the tradition of 'bonus rates' on savings accounts.

Customers with NatWest and RBS will be able to carry out more banking services through the Post Office network from later this year.

Consumer confidence reached its highest level in over three years in January, according to a new report, as low interest rates and lower inflation left consumers more optimistic about the state of the economy.

New buyers have benefited from plenty of additional choice in the mortgage market since the launch of Help to Buy 2 in October, latest figures are showing.

Mortgage holders in the UK could face additional repayments worth more than £2 billion if interest rates rise 'moderately' by the end of next year.

New figures suggest that young people remain trapped in rented accommodation and are being forced out of home ownership by rising house prices.

First-time buyers continue to support mortgage market

Dismay over pay: Barclays announces 10% rise in bonuses

Local lenders excel with new mortgages

First-time buyers drive housing market in January

UK fights to recover costs from Iceland over failed account

First-time buyers benefit as banks return to 95% mortgages

Barclays to compensate victims of data breach

Little respite for savers as interest rates to stay low

YBS to refund thousands of mortgage customers for incorrect charges

Buyers face higher stamp duty as average price exceeds £250,000

Nationwide launches new low-fee balance transfer card

Hanley Economic slashes mortgage rates to market-leading levels

Mortgage lending up, but greater housing supply needed

Nationwide benefits as customers seek mortgages and bank accounts

HSBC launches loyalty ISA and promises to end bonus rates on savings

RBS customers to get more banking services through the Post Office

Confidence levels grow as consumers take control of their finances

Help to Buy Scheme boosts 95% LTV mortgages

How much will it cost homeowners if interest rates rise?

Young people forced into rented accommodation by high house prices