Archive for December, 2008

Can social enterprises thrive in times of hardship?: Co-operative News

 
There is an old adage in business that bad times create good opportunities. And during a period when investors are seeking to buy-up cheap assets, is it possible that the global crisis could be a springboard for the expansion and creation of social enterprises?
 
This is the hope that sits behind the just launched Bridges Social [...]

Credit unions gain while financial world collapses: Co-operative News

 
Anyone promoting credit unions finds they are swimming with a very strong tide at the moment. The collapse in confidence in the banks has led to an increased interest not just in mutuals, but specifically in credit unions.
 
“The recent crisis has highlighted the benefits of mutual ownership and credit unions have been successful in this [...]

Mortgage lending slumps: Primelocation

Mortgage lending by the high street banks fell by 60% in the last year, according to the latest figures released by the British Bankers Association. In November 2007, more than 45,000 new home loans were approved: a year later it was less than 18,000.
See http://www.primelocation.com/news/mortgage-lending-slumps/

Fresh moves to get lending going: Primelocation

The Government has made fresh moves to stimulate the lending market, by reforming its Credit Guarantee Scheme for banks’ borrowing. It hopes the changes will increase the availability of home loans.
See http://www.primelocation.com/news/fresh-moves-to-get-lending-going/

‘Housing market not at bottom yet’: Primelocation

House prices have another 15% to fall, suggests the head of one of Britain’s largest banks and mortgage lenders. John Varley, chief executive of Barclays Bank, predicts that house prices will eventually lose about 30% of the market value of their peak from last year. They have so far fallen only half that amount.
See http://www.primelocation.com/news/housing-market-not-at-bottom-yet/

HIPs to be simplified: Primelocation

The Government has agreed to a major reform of the widely criticised Home Information Packs. From April, HIPs will be made simpler but more comprehensive, and must be available from the first day a property is marketed.
See http://www.primelocation.com/news/HIPs-to-be-simplified/

HSBC promises more home loans: Primelocation

HSBC is promising to double last year’s mortgage lending in 2009, as part of its attempt to increase its share of the home loans market. It has previously had a much lower exposure to the UK mortgage market than its main competitors and has so far avoided the level of damage from the global crisis [...]

OFT to investigate estate agents: Primelocation

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to investigate the market for buying and selling homes. It will consider not only the role of traditional estate agencies, but also alternative ways of buying and selling homes, such as internet-based property retailers.
See http://www.primelocation.com/news/oft-to-investigate-estate-agents/

Homeowners get new lifeline: Primelocation

Homeowners who fall behind in their mortgage repayments because of a temporary financial crisis could be protected from repossession for two years, under plans announced by the Government.
See http://www.primelocation.com/news/homeowners-get-new-lifeline/

Bank rate cut to lowest level since 1951: Primelocation

The Bank of England’s base rate has been cut to its lowest level for over half a century, in a sign that policy-makers are worried that the property market and the wider economy are sliding further into recession. The Bank said its decision followed signs that inflation had fallen in October to an annualised rate [...]