The number of mortgages approved for home buyers dived by 17% during January as the housing market suffered a steep fall in activity, figures show today.
Skipton Building Society is facing a legal challenge and growing anger over its decision to hike its standard mortgage rate by a whopping 1.45 percentage points next month.
Taxpayer-owned Northern Rock has confirmed it is likely to drop its 100% savings guarantee, possibly making that announcement within the next few weeks.