This week’s top headlines: Brokers and lenders split over future of home loans advice and Pepper Advantage acquires Computershare’s UK mortgage business.
Explore these and other major industry updates below:Nationwide appoints Thompson as director of mortgage intermediaries and partnerships
Nationwide has appointed Damian Thompson as director of mortgage intermediaries and partnerships from 1 October, succeeding Ian Andrew, who departs after 18 years.
Thompson, currently commercial director of landlord at The Mortgage Works, will oversee intermediary relationships and third-party partnerships across mortgages, insurance, protection and investments, including Nationwide’s tie-up with Aviva.
He will report to Henry Jordan, group director of mortgages, who praised both Thompson’s sector expertise and Andrew’s longstanding contribution to the intermediary market.
Brokers and lenders split over future of home loans advice
Lenders are divided over the FCA’s mortgage rule review, with the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association stressing that professional broker advice is vital, while the Building Societies Association supports greater flexibility for digital and advice-light sales.
The FCA aims to expand access for groups such as first-time buyers and the self-employed, but acknowledges reforms could cut intermediary sales and raise repossessions, leading to calls for a measured, phased approach.
Pepper Advantage acquires Computershare’s UK mortgage business
Pepper Advantage is acquiring Computershare’s UK mortgage servicing business, including Topaz Finance and Zephyr, boosting its managed assets to around £50bn subject to regulatory approval.
The firm plans to migrate all UK loans onto its PRISM platform to drive efficiency, scale and data-led insights.
Chief executive Fraser Gemmell said the deal strengthens Pepper Advantage’s technology-led approach, expands its capacity to serve clients and customers, and welcomes Computershare’s UK mortgage team into the group.
NatWest launches BTL loans, changes selected resi rates
NatWest has launched a new range of landlord loans alongside rate changes across residential products.
Its buy-to-let purchase and remortgage fixes come with fees from £1,499 to £5,999, including two- and five-year options at up to 75% LTV. The bank has also adjusted residential rates, with some cuts of up to 20 basis points for first-time buyers and high LTV borrowers, while others, such as selected remortgage and high-value purchase fixes, have risen by as much as 11bps.
Santander adds product transfers to major sourcing systems
Santander will make its product transfer rates available on all major sourcing systems from Friday, aiming to give brokers greater transparency and ease when supporting customers.
Head of Santander for Intermediaries Graham Sellar said the move reinforces the bank’s commitment to no dual pricing and more efficient broker processes.
The change comes shortly after the FCA closed its consultation on mortgage rule reforms, which include proposals to simplify and reduce the cost of remortgages and product transfers.
Inexorable’ drive to cut risk has shut buyers out: UK Finance
UK Finance has warned that excessive post-crisis caution has left many creditworthy buyers unable to access mortgages, urging the FCA’s review to balance risk with affordability.
It welcomed recent lending relaxations but cautioned against further easing without more housing supply.
The Building Societies Association also argued current rules overly restrict access, while UK Finance backed a review of the Financial Ombudsman Service to give lenders greater clarity, warning that poorly designed reforms risk creating new “mortgage prisoners”.
News Analysis – Property taxes in chancellor’s Budget crosshairs
The Treasury is weighing a series of property tax reforms ahead of the autumn Budget, aiming to raise up to £20bn.
Proposals include replacing stamp duty with a seller-side tax on homes over £500,000, introducing a local property levy to replace council tax, applying National Insurance to rental income, and ending capital gains exemptions on primary residences above £1.5m.
While some measures could ease barriers for buyers, critics warn they may deter sales, reduce supply, push up rents and strain landlords — with potential knock-on effects for both the wider housing market and government housing policy.
Foundation Home Loans has appointed Michael Evans as its permanent chief finance officer, after serving in the role on an interim basis earlier this year.
With over 22 years of experience across financial services, SMEs and global institutions, Evans previously held CFO roles at Octopus Electric Vehicles and LendInvest, helping the latter through its IPO.
He will work alongside CEO Pete Ball to support the company’s growth and strengthen its position in the specialist lending market.
Halifax Intermediaries makes price changes, Virgin Money cuts rates
Halifax Intermediaries has adjusted rates, cutting selected homemover and first-time buyer fixed rates by up to 0.14%, while raising some remortgage, product transfer and further advance rates by up to 0.13%.
Meanwhile, Virgin Money will launch new deals and reduce several rates from 23 September, including two- and five-year fixed purchase and remortgage products, as well as buy-to-let options, while withdrawing its 95% LTV two-year fixed rate fee-saver today.
Landlord tax probes net record £107m
HMRC recovered a record £107m from landlords in 2024/25, more than double 2021/22 levels, driven by voluntary disclosures and compliance checks.
Many “accidental” landlords fall into a “phantom profit” trap due to reduced mortgage interest relief.
Upcoming measures like Making Tax Digital, lower capital gains exemptions, and higher corporation tax are set to complicate compliance further, though past tax rises have helped increase housing availability for first-time buyers.
