Mortgage Strategy
@mortgagestrategy.bsky.social
News and insight for mortgage specialists. Editor: Rebekah Commane | Deputy editor: David Burrows
The UK's leading source of news, analysis, insight, and expert views for mortgage brokers and intermediaries. Home of the Mortgage Strategy Awards, a must-att
The UK's leading source of news, analysis, insight, and expert views for mortgage brokers and intermediaries. Home of the Mortgage Strategy Awards, a must-att
First Mortgage acquires Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s mortgage division
First Mortgage acquires Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward's mortgage division
First Mortgage has acquired Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward's (KFH) Financial Services mortgage division. KFH is a London estate agency, with more than 50
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
First Mortgage acquires Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s mortgage division
More retirees now renting, says government survey
More retirees now renting, says government survey – Mortgage Strategy
The number of over-65s renting rather than owning a home is rising, according to a government survey. The English Housing Survey found that 461,000
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
More retirees now renting, says government survey
Nationwide launches lowest fixed rate since September 2022 at 3.58%
Nationwide launches lowest fixed rate since September 2022 at 3.58%
Nationwide will cut its fixed rate mortgage range, with the lowest rate now at 3.58%. The lowest rate now stands at 3.58% and it is the first time that
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Nationwide launches lowest fixed rate since September 2022 at 3.58%
Solo first-time buyers rise 13% between June and October: Santander
Solo first-time buyers rise 13% between June and October: Santander
There has been a significant rise in solo first-time buyers, Santander UK reveals, as the effects of the Financial Conduct Authority's mortgage rule
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Solo first-time buyers rise 13% between June and October: Santander
Average age of first-time buyer climbs 2 years since pandemic
Average age of first-time buyer climbs 2 years since pandemic
The average age of a first-time buyer in England has risen from 32 just before the pandemic to 34 now, official statistics show. This two-year increase in
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Average age of first-time buyer climbs 2 years since pandemic
MIMHC plans to train over 100 mental health first aiders
MIMHC plans to train over 100 mental health first aiders
The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) Foundation has announced a 2026 programme to train more than 100 accredited mental health first aiders
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
MIMHC plans to train over 100 mental health first aiders
HTB appoints Burwood as BDM for East Anglia
HTB appoints Burwood as BDM for East Anglia
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has appointed Hannah Burwood as business development manager across its specialist mortgages and bridging divisions to
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 11:21 AM
HTB appoints Burwood as BDM for East Anglia
Accord Mortgages relaxes top slicing criteria for first-time landlords
Accord Mortgages relaxes top slicing criteria for first-time landlords
Accord Mortgages has relaxed its top slicing criteria to accept first-time landlords. The change allows first-time landlords the flexibility to use
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Accord Mortgages relaxes top slicing criteria for first-time landlords
Buckinghamshire adds new expat BTL products, lowers rates
Buckinghamshire adds new expat BTL products, lowers rates
Buckinghamshire Building Society has made rate reductions on selected everyday residential and skilled worker visa products. The changes include it
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Buckinghamshire adds new expat BTL products, lowers rates
L&C Mortgages appoints Payne as COO
L&C Mortgages appoints Payne as COO
L&C Mortgages has appointed Dan Payne as chief operating officer. Payne will report to L&C managing director Sidney Wager and joins with more than
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:15 AM
L&C Mortgages appoints Payne as COO
Dudley Building Society launches skilled worker visa homeloans
Dudley Building Society launches skilled worker visa homeloans
Dudley Building Society has launched a skilled worker visa range. The homeloans will be available more widely after an earlier pilot scheme. Dudley will
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Dudley Building Society launches skilled worker visa homeloans
Perenna joins Primis Mortgage Network lender panel
Perenna joins Primis Mortgage Network lender panel – Mortgage Strategy
Long-term lender Perenna has joined the panel of Primis Mortgage Network. Primis has more than 1,000 appointed representative firms and more than 2,000
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Perenna joins Primis Mortgage Network lender panel
Notts BS launches new BTL range
Notts BS launches new BTL range
Nottingham Building Society has launched buy-to-let (BTL) products designed to support landlords following the Chancellor’s decision to raise property
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Notts BS launches new BTL range
HSBC UK expands cashback for FTBs and cuts mortgage rates
HSBC UK expands cashback for FTBs and cuts mortgage rates
HSBC UK has expanded its first-time buyer cashback incentive and increasing the amount available from £700 to £2,000. Cashback has also been introduced
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM
HSBC UK expands cashback for FTBs and cuts mortgage rates
Saffron launches specialist lending updates
Saffron launches specialist lending updates
Saffron for Intermediaries has launched a set of specialist lending updates, including bridging finance to create an end-to-end property development
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Saffron launches specialist lending updates
NatWest and Santander join FCA’s AI testing scheme
NatWest and Santander join FCA's AI testing scheme
NatWest and Santander are among the firms that have signed up to the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA's) new artificial intelligence (AI) testing
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:28 AM
NatWest and Santander join FCA’s AI testing scheme
Accord removes FTB minimum income requirement for borrowing 4.5x income
Accord removes FTB minimum income requirement for borrowing 4.5x income
Accord Mortgages has removed its minimum income requirement for first-time buyers to access mortgages up to 5.5 times their income, provided they meet all
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Accord removes FTB minimum income requirement for borrowing 4.5x income
Foundation launches BTL limited editions and cuts rates, Clydesdale Bank trims prices
Foundation launches BTL limited editions and cuts rates, Clydesdale Bank trims prices
Foundation Home Loans has launched a new F1 buy-to-let (BTL) Limited Edition five-year, fixed-rate product for portfolio landlords, and reduced the rate
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Foundation launches BTL limited editions and cuts rates, Clydesdale Bank trims prices
Norton Home Loans joins L&G’s Mortgage Club lender panel
Norton Home Loans joins L&G’s Mortgage Club lender panel
L&G Mortgage Club has signed Norton Home Loans onto its lender panel. The deal gives L&G members access to all of Norton's second charge mortgage
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Norton Home Loans joins L&G’s Mortgage Club lender panel
UK’s major lenders pass BoE stress tests
UK's major lenders pass BoE stress tests
Britain's major lenders have all passed the Bank of England's latest round of stress tests. The BoE's latest Financial Stability report shows that the
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
UK’s major lenders pass BoE stress tests
Average rent cost drops for fourth consecutive month: Goodlord
Average rent cost drops for fourth consecutive month: Goodlord
The average cost of rent across England reduced by 2.4% during November, taking averages down from £1,276 in October to £1,245 in November, Goodlord
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Average rent cost drops for fourth consecutive month: Goodlord
Mortgage Strategy will announce the inaugural MS NextGen 30 rising stars for 2026 on 4 December. After a highly competitive assessment, the judging panel has selected a group that reflects the future strength of the industry.
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Read the full article:
MS NextGen to reveal its 30 rising stars for 2026
The esteemed Mortgage Strategy NextGen judging panel will later this week announce its first ever 30 rising stars for the class of 2026.
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Mortgage Strategy will announce the inaugural MS NextGen 30 rising stars for 2026 on 4 December. After a highly competitive assessment, the judging panel has selected a group that reflects the future strength of the industry.
Read the full article:
Read the full article:
MIT Live is just one week away. The event will deliver practical insights into AI-led tools, smarter workflows and the strategies shaping the future of mortgage advice.
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Read the full article:
One week left before MIT Live!
The countdown is officially on for the biggest event in mortgage innovation. Mortgage Strategy’s Mortgage Innovation & Technology Live (MIT Live)
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
MIT Live is just one week away. The event will deliver practical insights into AI-led tools, smarter workflows and the strategies shaping the future of mortgage advice.
Read the full article:
Read the full article:
Blog: Three reasons to be cheerful about AMI’s Viewpoint 2025
Blog: Three reasons to be cheerful about AMI’s Viewpoint 2025
I see three clear reasons to be cheerful about AMI’s Viewpoint 2025 The Next Chapter. Despite the fact that, at first glance at least, it appears to be a
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Blog: Three reasons to be cheerful about AMI’s Viewpoint 2025
Paragon increases BTL maximum loan limits
Paragon increases BTL maximum loan limits
Paragon Bank has increased its maximum loan limits across its range of buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages, as well as removing minimum income requirements for
www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Paragon increases BTL maximum loan limits