Easier2move (e2m) has doubled the minimum referral fee on all its conveyancing transactions from £50 to £100. Announcing the improvements to its fees, Karen Babington, sales and marketing director at e2m, commented: "With financial advisers struggling as procuration fees decrease and the rapidly increasing cost of regulation, it seems amazing that so many are not receiving payment for conveyancing referrals. We are delighted to be in a position to offer mortgage advisers access to increased commission levels.”
Property industry gears up for ‘A-Day’
Assetz has reported investors are gearing themselves up for ‘A-Day’, when they will be able to invest in property through self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs).
Assetz has seen a 30 per cent increase in enquiries regarding its residential property funds during the last two weeks in anticipation of the ‘A-Day’ changes on 6 April.
Tribunal upholds FSA case against solicitor
The Financial Services and Markets Tribunal has upheld an FSA case against Allen Phillip Elliott, after finding he was not fit and proper to work in any part of the UK's regulated financial services industry.
The case revealed Elliott was not authorised by the FSA, but was operating an unregulated mortgage investment scheme through his company, FMD Trustees Plc.
FSA to hold retail conference
The FSA is to hold its second retail intermediaries conference in Birmingham, on 14 June.
‘The future of advisers in the retail market’ the event will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum and will examine its results on how it sees the market in five years time. Discussions covering the sales practices of protection policies, depolarisation, and the future of pension provision will also be held.
Personal Touch adds Mortgage Trust
Personal Touch Packaging has appointed Mortgage Trust to its lender panel, which will allow the packager to offer its members access to Mortgage Trust’s MT Select range. As part of the addition of Mortgage Trust to the panel, Personal Touch Packaging members will have access to two additions to the MT Select range. These include a three-year fixed rate deal, at 4.75 per cent and a two-year fixed rate deal at 4.90 per cent. Both are available up to 85 per cent LTV, with rental calculations based on interest only at pay rate.
FTBs a ‘rare breed’
Research by SmartNewHomes.com has revealed first-time buyers (FTB) are becoming an increasingly rare breed, with the average age of the FTB now estimated at 30. It revealed 85 per cent of FTBs point to rising house prices for pushing property out of their reach.
