FSA sets out mortgage market reforms

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has set out proposals for the major reforms which it believes are required in the UK mortgage market to make it work better for consumers and be sustainable for firms.

The proposals, published in the mortgage market review discussion paper, aim to introduce a “less intrusive and interventionist style of regulation”.

The review’s key features are:

- Imposing affordability tests for all mortgages and making lenders ultimately responsible for assessing a consumer’s ability to repay;
- Banning ‘self-certification’ mortgages through required verification of borrowers’ income;
- Banning the sale of some products to borrowers with certain multiple high-risk characteristics;
- Banning arrears charges when a borrower is already repaying and ensuring firms do not profit from people in arrears;
- Requiring all mortgage advisers to be personally accountable to the FSA;
- Calling for the FSA’s scope to cover buy-to-let and all lending secured on a home.

Jon Pain, FSA managing director of supervision, said:

“The mortgage market has seen extraordinary upheaval over the last 18 months and whilst it has worked well for the vast majority of borrowers, some have suffered great financial distress. We recognise that we need to bring about a step change in regulation and we need to act now to address the issues we have identified.”

“The paper sets out the main findings of the FSA’s comprehensive analysis of the mortgage market. It clearly shows a rapid explosion in mortgage products; the emergence of high risk lending strategies which typically focused on higher risk borrowers; relaxed credit standards; and a mutual assumption by too many borrowers and lenders that the good times could not end.”

“The FSA needs to ensure that firms only lend to people who can afford to pay the money back. The reforms that we have announced today will ensure that the mortgage market works better for consumers and that it is sustainable for firms.”

The FSA has also stated that it has not ruled out further change if the initial proposals do not have sufficient effect, including caps on loan-to-value, loan-to-income or debt-to-income.

The discussion paper is out for discussion until 30 January 2010 and the FSA will be seeking views from consumer groups and industry. A feedback statement will be published in March. Implementation will be phased, with the focus on speed for areas of high detriment, such as arrears.