Day: May 29, 2025

The former chief operating officer at Equity Release Council, Donna Francis, has joined the Equity Release Group as a non-executive director.   The later life broker says Francis (pictured) will focus on “broadening the scope of accessibility in using property wealth as a catalyst for financial planning requirements, while helping to lift standards across the industry”. Francis spent a decade as chief operating officer at Equity Release Council, responsible for the development of operations, regulatory policy, industry standards setting, membership propositions, corporate governance, and financial controls. She left her post last May. Before that she spearheaded industry-wide high-profile projects, including the merger of the Life Insurance Association and Society of Financial Advisers to create the Personal Finance Society, followed by the launch of the Society of Mortgage Professionals, in a 30-year career.  Equity Release Group founder and chief executive Mark Gregory says: “She [Francis] brings with her a wealth of invaluable experience in our sector. She is driven by integrity, and dedicated to nurturing a positive culture that empowers teams to thrive.   “I am confident that together we can drive scalability and security across the market, to deliver an enhanced customer experience, alongside exceptional quality advice.”    Francis adds: “Equity Release Group is entering an exciting stage of their journey, and I am delighted that I can be a part of helping to shape their future, as well as the future success of the industry.” The post Former Equity Release Council COO joins Equity Release Group appeared first on Mortgage Strategy.

MPowered Mortgages has launched a new case tracking timeline to give broker-partners visibility over every stage of a client’s applications. The new timeline, which is inspired by step-by-step progress tracking, presents each milestone in a clear, visual format. It allows brokers to see when key actions take place, such as when a valuation is booked or completed, or when an affordability decision is made. The layout is set out to access key information with ease including underwrite questions, case documents and solicitor details. MPowered Mortgages head of broker operations Rhonda Bryant says: “MPowered’s new case timeline is a game-changer for us brokers. Being able to see every stage of a client’s case including valuation updates via my mobile without having to call the helpdesk will make life so much easier for me.” “Calling up lenders to get updates on client cases can be so unnecessarily time consuming and unhelpful for my day-to-day. It’s exactly the kind of innovation our industry needs and other lenders should follow by example.” Yesterday, MPowered Mortgage announced the promotion of Peter Stimson to managing director of mortgages. The post MPowered launches case tracking timeline for brokers appeared first on Mortgage Strategy.

Loans Warehouse has announced the appointment of Nigel Lewis (pictured) as head of key accounts. With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Lewis will lead the expansion of the company’s network partnerships, working closely with the wider distribution team. His role will focus on enhancing key partnerships and relationships with mortgage clubs and networks. As part of its wider growth strategy, Loans Warehouse has also welcomed two further appointments. Victoria Symmonds joins as head of in-house recruitment and Michelle Collins joins as completions manager. The post Loans Warehouse appoints Lewis head of key accounts appeared first on Mortgage Strategy.

Keystone Property Finance has reintroduced a 7% arrangement fee option on selected five-year loans allowing landlords to borrow more, while Virgin Money lifts some residential and buy-to-let loans as well as withdrawing others.    The specialist lender’s 7% arrangement fee is available on its five-year standard products at 65% loan to value and 75% LTV, as well as on its five-year specialist deals at 65% LTV and 75% LTV for properties with one to six occupants or units.  Its rates for these products are:  Five-year standard — 4.69% at 65% LTV, and 4.79% at 75% LTV  Five-year specialist — 4.99% at 65% LTV, and 5.09% at 75% LTV  Keystone Property Finance managing director Elise Coole says: “Recent increases in mortgage rates have made it more challenging for some landlords to pass affordability stress tests and secure the borrowing they need.   “By reintroducing our 7% arrangement fee products, we’re responding directly to these market pressures and providing landlords with a practical solution to achieve higher leverage, even in a tougher rate environment.” Meanwhile, Virgin has raised selected residential and buy-to-let loans as well as withdrawing four products from today.  The high street lender’s price rises include: Purchase: Selected two- and five-year fixes, with a £995 fee have been increased by up to 15bps Selected Own New fixes have been increased by up to 15bps Remortgage: Retrofit Boost five-year fixes, with a £995 fee, have been increased by up to 15bps BTL: 60% LTV two- and five-year fixes, with a £2,195 fee, have been increased by up to 10bps The lender has also withdrawn these loans: 75% LTV five-year fixes, with a £895 fee, at 4.09% 75% LTV five-year fee-saver fixes at 4.24% 85% LTV five-year fixes, with a £995 fee, at 4.19% 85% LTV five-year fixes, with a £995 fee, at 4.24% The post Keystone brings back 7% landlord fees, Virgin lifts rates by up to 15bps   appeared first on Mortgage Strategy.

The Equity Release Council has added property valuations firm PriceHubble as an associate member.     The data insights firm collects a range of information in the mortgage market — including energy performance, climate risk and cladding statistics — in order to streamline underwriting.  The company has a presence in 11 countries, including France, Germany, Japan, the US as well as the UK.  PriceHubble managing director Mark Cunningham (pictured) says: “With 22 million people over 50 in England alone, the UK has a significant and growing later life lending market.   “We are therefore pleased to join the Equity Release Council and position ourselves to use our high-quality data-driven insights to support the businesses in this important sector as well as the customers they serve.”  Equity Release Council chief executive Jim Boyd adds: “Data plays a crucial role in the later life lending industry with customers relying on advisers and providers to make accurate and long-term decisions based on the anticipated value of their homes.” The post Equity Release Council adds PriceHubble as associate member   appeared first on Mortgage Strategy.