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Mortgage approvals up 81% in year Mortgage approvals up 81% in year
(about 1 hour later)
The number of mortgages approved by the major banks in August was up 81% from the same month a year ago when the housing market was in a slump.The number of mortgages approved by the major banks in August was up 81% from the same month a year ago when the housing market was in a slump.
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said the annual rise was exaggerated by the low lending levels of a year ago.The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said the annual rise was exaggerated by the low lending levels of a year ago.
Approvals for house purchases in August dipped slightly compared with July after seven months of month-on-month rises, the figures show.Approvals for house purchases in August dipped slightly compared with July after seven months of month-on-month rises, the figures show.
The BBA said major banks had been more active than other lenders recently.The BBA said major banks had been more active than other lenders recently.
However, the number of homes being put up for sale was low.However, the number of homes being put up for sale was low.
Consumers cautiousConsumers cautious
There were 38,095 mortgages approved for house purchases in August by the major banks, compared with 21,001 in August last year.There were 38,095 mortgages approved for house purchases in August by the major banks, compared with 21,001 in August last year.
In reaction to the economic conditions, consumers appear to be building up their savings and controlling their appetite for unsecured borrowing David Dooks, BBA statistics directorIn reaction to the economic conditions, consumers appear to be building up their savings and controlling their appetite for unsecured borrowing David Dooks, BBA statistics director
A year ago the mortgage market was at an "all-time low", according to David Dooks, the BBA's statistics director. However, the figure actually fell even further in November to 18,330.A year ago the mortgage market was at an "all-time low", according to David Dooks, the BBA's statistics director. However, the figure actually fell even further in November to 18,330.
He said that the annual change was "difficult to understand", but was an "exaggeration" as a result of the combination of the low numbers a year ago and the return to the levels of lending seen at the beginning of 2008.He said that the annual change was "difficult to understand", but was an "exaggeration" as a result of the combination of the low numbers a year ago and the return to the levels of lending seen at the beginning of 2008.
Net mortgage lending rose by £2.8bn in August, similar to the average of the previous six months and a year-on-year growth of 4.6%.Net mortgage lending rose by £2.8bn in August, similar to the average of the previous six months and a year-on-year growth of 4.6%.
During the recession households were not taking on extra debt with jobs at risk and the economic conditions uncertain, Mr Dooks said.During the recession households were not taking on extra debt with jobs at risk and the economic conditions uncertain, Mr Dooks said.
"In reaction to the economic conditions, consumers appear to be building up their savings and controlling their appetite for unsecured borrowing," he said."In reaction to the economic conditions, consumers appear to be building up their savings and controlling their appetite for unsecured borrowing," he said.
This meant that spending on credit cards and the amount borrowed in personal loans was down in August compared with the previous month. New spending on consumer credit was down 13.6% in August compared with the same month a year ago, at £5.6bn. The total amount borrowed on credit cards by consumers was down 13.6% in August compared with the same month a year ago, at £5.6bn.
In terms of mortgage lending, Mr Dooks said that applications to the banks for home loans were generally being approved. Specialist lenders have scaled back their operations considerably in the last year. Repayments of credit cards outstripped new use of plastic. Savings levels also jumped by £3.3bn in August, more than double the recent six-month average.
In terms of mortgage lending, Mr Dooks said that applications for home loans were generally being approved. Specialist lenders have scaled back their operations considerably in the last year.
However, many potential homeowners have been saying that they have been finding it difficult to get a loan, with many needing to put down a large deposit.However, many potential homeowners have been saying that they have been finding it difficult to get a loan, with many needing to put down a large deposit.
Most mortgage lending tends to be to those who have large savings, equity on other properties, or assistance from family members.
Sales downSales down
The number of mortgages approved gives an indication of future activity and prices because the process comes prior to a new homeowner getting the keys.The number of mortgages approved gives an indication of future activity and prices because the process comes prior to a new homeowner getting the keys.
On Tuesday, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said that the number of homes actually sold in August - 83,000 - was 4,000 fewer than in July, the first drop this year. However, sales were 19% higher than the same time last year.On Tuesday, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said that the number of homes actually sold in August - 83,000 - was 4,000 fewer than in July, the first drop this year. However, sales were 19% higher than the same time last year.
The BBA's David Dooks said that all these factors would lead to a "varied picture" for house prices across the UK.The BBA's David Dooks said that all these factors would lead to a "varied picture" for house prices across the UK.
With interest rates still low, the BBA figures also showed that the number of loans for homeowners who were remortgaging was 47% lower than a year ago, at 26,124 in August.With interest rates still low, the BBA figures also showed that the number of loans for homeowners who were remortgaging was 47% lower than a year ago, at 26,124 in August.
Ray Boulger, of mortgage brokers John Charcol, said that the approval figures were not a huge surprise given that the housing market was at its nadir around September last year.
"In the mortgage market, banks are doing their bit, but other sectors of the market are not lending or their lending has contracted," he said.
He expected house prices to continue to edge upwards as interest rates remained low during the downturn.