Moody’s downgrades outlook for global banks December 5, 2019 The outlook for global banks has been slashed by credit ratings agency Moody’s. Weakening economic growth, low interest rates and more volatile operating conditions will increase the credit challenges for lenders across the world, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report published today. The agency cut its outlook from stable to negative. Read more: Metro [...]
UK house prices grow at slowest rate for six years October 7, 2019 UK house prices grew at their slowest annual rate in six years in September, a closely-watched gauge has revealed, as Brexit uncertainty continues to smother activity in the sector. Read more: UK house prices: Brexit holds back September growth House prices grew by just 1.1 per cent over the last year, undershooting economists’ expectations of [...]
The hurdles holding back home ownership October 3, 2019 There is good news and bad news when it comes to the numbers of first-time buyers in 2019. The good news is that, despite existing homeowners taking a more cautious approach in this uncertain political and economic climate, sales are up almost six per cent compared to this time last year. However, the positive statistics [...]
In full: PM Boris Johnson’s Tory conference speech in full October 6, 2020 Boris Johnson took the stage Tuesday for the Tories’ virtual party conference, announcing policies on 1:1 teaching and low-deposit mortgages, but also promising to unleash the private sector. Here’s the text in full. Good morning conference, I want to begin by thanking you for everything you did at the election, pounding the streets in the [...]
How to move up from shared ownership to full home ownership: a guide to ‘staircasing’ September 23, 2019 Jade Turnstill, Share to Buy’s digital marketing manager, explains how shared ownership homeowners can increase the stake they own in their property over time What is staircasing?Staircasing is the process of increasing the amount of shares you own in your shared ownership property. In most instances you can staircase up to 100 per cent, becoming [...]
In full: Rishi Sunak’s virtual Conservative conference speech October 5, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak today addressed Conservative virtual conference, pledging to support entrepreneurs but warning of difficult times ahead. Here’s the full speech: “Politics is a team sport” “Being appointed Chancellor in February this year was an immense honour. Even though my first conference speech as Chancellor isn’t quite how I expected it to be, it [...]
Flybe’s planes at risk of being impounded as wait for rescue package goes on February 2, 2020 Embattled Flybe is facing a nervous wait over its potential £100m taxpayer loan amid reports that air traffic controllers could impound the regional airline’s planes. According to mortgage records, many of Flybe’s planes are owned by other firms such as NordLB and Nordic Aviation Capital, who lease them to Flybe to use. The Sunday Telegraph [...]
Building consensus on London’s housing priorities November 13, 2020 The housing market has the potential to play a significant role in the UK’s economic and social recovery from the pandemic – but housing in London faces a mounting number of challenges and uncertainties in doing so. That was the verdict of a roundtable held as part of a UK-wide initiative by Lloyds Banking Group [...]
Lloyds swings to loss as it sets aside extra £2.4bn for bad loans July 30, 2020 UK banking giant Lloyds swung to a £600m pre-tax loss for the first half of the year today as coronavirus cost it an extra £2.4bn. The provision for loan losses was bigger than the £1.5bn analysts had anticipated. It took total provisions for the first half of the year to £3.8bn. Read more: Barclays braces [...]
Nationwide profit plunges 33 per cent November 22, 2019 Nationwide has posted a sharp fall in half-year profit following a final blow from payment protection insurance (PPI) charges and a low interest rate environment. Statutory profit for the six months to 30 September fell to £309m, sliding from £516m in the same period a year earlier. Read more: Bankers disappointed by fees deal As [...]