BSA: Gross lending at mutuals up 19% in June

Thursday, 29 July 2010 12:00 AM

Gross mortgage lending by mutuals was £1,798 million in June, 19% greater than the £1,507 million in May, and 34% higher than the average of £1,345 million over the previous five months. Mortgage approvals worth £1,735 were made in June, an increase of 11% on the £1,559 million in May and the highest level this year.

Commenting on the figures, Adrian Coles, Director-General of the BSA, said:

"Activity in the mortgage market has picked up compared to the start of the year, and the rising number of approvals is a positive indicator for coming months. However, the forthcoming public sector cuts may add to the economic uncertainty which could constrain any significant growth in mortgage lending in coming months."

In the savings market, balances deposited at mutuals increased by £16 million in June, compared to a reduction of £373 million in May. In the first half of 2010, balances at mutuals increased by £1,445 million. Excluding interest credited to accounts in the month, there was a net withdrawal from mutuals of £262 million in June compared to a net withdrawal of £576 million in May.

Commenting on the savings figures, Mr Coles said:

"Savings balances at mutuals have increased over the first six months of the year which is encouraging given the difficult market conditions that financial institutions face. Yet it will remain challenging to attract savers whilst the Bank Rate remains low and the tough economic climate puts added strain on household finances."

Mutual statistics June 2010

Data below are not seasonally adjusted.

Mutuals' gross lending amounted to £1,798 million in June 2010 compared to £1,507 million in May.

Net lending by mutuals in June 2010 was -£436 million compared to -£661 million in May.

Approvals by mutuals in June 2010 were £1,735 million compared to £1,559 million in May.

Savings balances at mutuals increased by £16 million in June 2010, compared to a reduction of £373 million in May.

Mutuals had a net withdrawal of £262 million in June 2010 compared to a net withdrawal of £576 million in May.

Mutuals had a net receipt of £816 million from cash ISAs in June 2010 compared to a net withdrawal of £48 million in May.

Important media note:

For data relating to January 2010 onwards, the Bank of England has combined figures for building societies and mutually owned banks. This new data is reported as the 'mutual sector'. Previous data will not be restated and therefore it is not possible to make comparisons with previous years. For more information about this change please see www.bsa.org.uk

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Notes to editors

1. The Building Societies Association (BSA) represents mutual lenders and deposit takers in the UK including all 50 UK building societies. Mutual lenders and deposit takers have total assets of over £370 billion and, together with their subsidiaries, hold residential mortgages of over £235 billion, 19% of the total outstanding in the UK. They hold almost £250 billion of retail deposits, accounting for just under 22% of all such deposits in the UK. Mutual deposit takers account for about 36% of cash ISA balances. They employ approximately 50,000 full and part-time staff and operate through approximately 2,000 branches.

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

Katie Errington
Policy and External Affairs Officer
Building Societies Association
6th Floor, York House
23 Kingsway
London
WC2B 6UJ

Tel: 020 7520 5904
Fax: 020 7240 5290
Email: katie.errington@bsa.org.uk
Web: www.bsa.org.uk

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