Irish economy grew by 1.6% in the second quarter official figures show. This is the second successive quarter after a revised 1.9% rise in the first three months of this year. The figures have surprised forecasters who had expected small increases. It is the first time since 2006 that the Irish economy has expended for [...]

Mortgage lending rose 6% in August compared to July although seasonal factors were key to the rise. Gross mortgage lending stood at £13.4bn in August a 10% increase compared with the same month a year ago. Say CML. This was the highest monthly total since July 2009 they added. Fluctuations in recent months reflected seasonal [...]

First time buyers can now get a 95% mortgage from Principality with the help of family savings. Principality today has launched a new mortgage designed to help first time buyers with a 5% deposit by taking a legal charge over family member’s savings. Principality’s deal allows family members to use savings to secure the mortgage [...]

Lenders agreed to advance £40bn worth of mortgages in the coming months up 13% on the amount agreed in quarter 1, according to the financial services authority latest mortgage lending data. The statistics show that quarter 2 2011 new commitments the amount of new lending that lenders agree to advance in the coming months totalled [...]

The independent Commission on Banking said it would make it easier and less costly to resolve banks that get into trouble. These changes are to be implemented by the start of 2019. The Chancellor welcomed the good report and planned to stick to the recommended timetable. This has tackled the big question the we face [...]

Mortgage deals have returned to the level of 2008 before reaching the banking crisis peak. There are 2,557 mortgage types on offer 64% require at least 20% deposit and only 2% need a deposit of 5% or less. Mortgage rationing has caused the homes sales to fall by more than half. Moneyfacts have said it [...]

The Halifax have said that house prices fell in August by 1.2% compared to the previous month property values are to remain stable. Halifax now part of Lloyds banking Group said the average home was 2.6% lower in value than a year ago at an average £161,743. The monthly drop is the first recorded by [...]

A consumer group have put pressure on the government to ban surcharges on online debit card travel purchases. Which? Said a small amendment to current legislation was all that was need to outlaw the practice. The office of fair trading in June proposed a change in the law to abolish these surcharges. Which? have said [...]