Some of these articles might be useful. Others might just pass the time while your kettle boils. Either way, if you read one of my financial type articles just don’t rely on advice from a bloke with a blog — speak to someone qualified (ideally with insurance… and a desk). Yes, I am qualified for some things, but you can't sue me or get compensation.
April 11, 2022
There have been many articles circulating in the media for the last few days claiming lenders are getting tough on the cost of living crisis. Some inflammatory commentators suggest lenders are deliberately squeezing some borrowers out of the market and other frankly wrong comments.
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June 20, 2022
Following on from a previous post I wrote in March around a consultation being run by the Bank of England regarding the removal of the mortgage affordability stress test, the result is in. Surprisingly it is going to be removed from the 1st August 2022.
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July 9, 2022
I have been getting a few questions all with the same theme around the removal of the affordability stress test. Understandably many are still confused as to what it actually means for them when it comes to applying for a mortgage and what the impact or indeed benefits are.
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August 14, 2022
From the 1st of August 2022 lenders were able to stop stress testing mortgages. An affordability test that was introduced in 2014 to ensure borrowers could still cope with an interest rate shock. Although we are only 3 weeks on have any lenders dropped the test?
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May 16, 2023
The Financial Policy Committee, part of the Bank of England held a consultation with a view to removing the requirement to stress mortgage rates to ensure robust affordability testing. They determined it was no longer needed. So why are lenders still using it?
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