Homeowners being moved from interest only mortgages to repayment mortgages

The fears over a double dip recession in the UK are causing havoc for many homeowners who are finding themselves being shifted from interest only mortgages with smaller monthly repayments to capital and interest mortgages that require them to make much higher monthly repayments on their mortgages. For many this will cause serious financial problems, as it will really impact on their outgoings and ability to make repayments.

A number of lenders are said to have brought in new rules and regulations with regards to this issue, and this includes the Spanish owned Santander and the banking giant Halifax. Many borrowers who do not have enough equity in their homes and are coming to the end of an interest only special deal are being shifted onto the more costly repayment mortgage by these lenders.

The move comes following concerns that the UK could be heading for a double dip recession, and a number of industry experts have said that homeowners could lose the equivalent of the average salary from the value of their homes, which will see equity levels plunge further for many homeowners. Santander has revealed that anyone that has less than 25 percent equity in their homes will be moved from their interest only mortgage onto a repayment one.

One mortgage expert said: “For home owners with interest-only mortgages, a forced switch onto a repayment deal by their lender at the end of their fixed or discounted period would lead to a significant rise in their monthly payments. For those saddled with big mortgages, it may well be an unaffordable increase, making it difficult for them to make ends meet. Lenders are worried about a further downturn in prices and are introducing these changes to protect themselves, as well as borrowers. But hard-pressed homeowners may find it’s an extra cost too far.”

Tags: Repayment mortgage, homeowners, santander, fears, mortgage

Government confirms second bailout for banking industry

In a week that saw Royal Bank of Scotland reveal losses of around £28 billion, and saw share prices in banks plunge amidst fears over instability, the Prime Minister has announced the second bailout of the banking industry in the space of just a few months, and once again this will come at the taxpayers’ expense. Read more

Tags: single one, plan, government help, bank bailout, week, fears, prime minister gordon brown

Cash from some Icelandic banks gone into the abyss

According to recent reports many of the UK savers that tried to transfer their money from the collapsed Icelandic banks, Icesave and Kaupthing Edge, have discovered that the money has not hit the accounts into which it was transferred. Many consumers who had put savings into the Icelandic banks due to the high rates of interest paid started to transfer their cash in the run up to the collapse following rumours that sparked fears over the collapse, but in some cases the money has been transferred out of the Icelandic account but not appeared in the recipient account. Read more

Tags: reappear, Kaupthing Bank, News, rumours, apacs, lawful bank instruction, fears, service