BSA calls for a considered response in mortgage market review

Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:00 AM

The Mortgage Market Review must result in future regulation proportionate to perceived failings in the market according to the Building Societies Association (BSA).

The BSA argues strongly for the FSA to focus its attention exclusively on those areas where there is strong evidence of failure and for it to consider the cumulative effect of regulatory changes on the whole of the market. Reactionary regulatory intervention will deliver little or no benefit to consumers.

Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgage Policy at the BSA, said:

"Though showing some small signs of recovery, the UK mortgage market remains fragile. It is crucial that the Government and regulators take stock of the current suite of regulatory interventions and consider the aggregate impact of these reforms before bringing in more new requirements.

"In our response to the mortgage market review proposals we call for flexibility when assessing a borrower's income and affordability. If the FSA chooses to take a very prescriptive approach, this could mean many existing borrowers, who are already successfully repaying their mortgages, will find it difficult to remortgage in the future (or in some instances get a new mortgage at all) while many future borrowers will be deprived of the opportunity to take out a mortgage.

"While we support the introduction of an approved persons regime for advisors, the impact on lenders could be disproportionate. As the proposals currently stand, we fear that the regime will extend beyond those staff involved in the advice process. If implemented on this basis, it would have significant cost implications for little benefit.

"As the mortgage market rebuilds for the future, all lenders should be able to compete under the same rules. It is vital that, in order to encourage competition and consumer choice, the FSA ensure there are consistent and equitable prudential rules that do not discriminate against building societies."

~ Ends ~

Notes to Editors

1. A copy of the BSA's response to the Mortgage Market Review can be viewed at http://www.bsa.org.uk/policy/response/MMR_DP_response.hrm

2. The Building Societies Association (BSA) represents mutual lenders and deposit takers in the UK including all 52 UK building societies. Mutual lenders and deposit takers have total assets of over £390 billion and, together with their subsidiaries, hold residential mortgages of almost £260 billion, 21% of the total outstanding in the UK. They hold over £250 billion of retail deposits, accounting for just under 23% of all such deposits in the UK. They employ approximately 50,000 full and part-time staff and operate through approximately 2,000 branches.

Photographs of Paul Broadhead are available from the BSA press office, or from the Association's website at www.bsa.org.uk or Headlinemoney www.headlinemoney.co.uk

Neil Johnson
Mortgage Policy Advisor
Building Societies Association
Tel : 020-7520 5903
E-Mail : neil.johnson@bsa.org.uk

Tags: