Aggressive HSBC promises to match existing mortgage
By Damian Clarkson    09th April 2008
HSBC is offering cash-strapped homeowners a lifeline by promising to match their existing fixed rate deal when it comes time to re-mortgage.

The offer expires in five weeks and is only available to customers who are coming off a fixed rate mortgage and who own at least 20% of the equity in their home.
Read more


Rock borrowers thrown to the wolves
By Chris Gilchrist    02nd April 2008
The business plan presented to the government by Northern Rock’s new bosses includes pushing 60% of existing mortgage borrowers out the door when they try to re-mortgage this year.

But customers left out in the cold are unlikely to get a friendly reception on the High Street.
Read more


Why lower base rates won’t help you
By ChrisGilchrist    25th March 2008
The Bank of England has cut half a percent off its base rate since last autumn, but the best tracker mortgage now costs more than it did then.

Another quarter-percent cut in base rate is likely soon, but probably won’t feed through to borrowers. Last October, when base rate was 5.75%, you could get a two-year discount tracker mortgage at 5.4%.
Read more