New 90% LTV self-certification range introduced by Trustguard.

Kensington and Trustguard together will be giving rates starting at Base rate plus 1.69% for a self certified two year tracker. These will be rolled out to the self employed, the employed and prime first time buyers. They will be available for buying a new property or remortgaging

The National Sales Manager of Trustguard, Sian Brown was heard to say: "There is a significant gap in the market where these products used to be. Providers have recently deserted this area which has left many brokers unable to meet their client's needs. The availability of these products has diminished to the point where they were nearly an endangered species. It's our hope that our new range of these products will really help brokers supply the demand that is out there."

Borrowers will have the option of a two year deal which will be fixed at 6.99% or even a 3 year deal at 6.89%. The completion fee of 1,999 can also be added to the loan ABOVE the maximum Loan to Value. There won't be a Higher Lending Charge and you can borrow up to 500,000.

Prospective applicants should have no arrears in the last 12 months, no defaults in the previous 3 years, no CCJS in the past three years, never have been a bankrupt and have no IVAs. The reversion rate will be BBR+2% and overpayments of up to 10% will be allowed every year.

The keynote speaker at the next Annual Dinner of the Association of Financial Brokers (AFB) will be Philip Collins who is the Chairman of the Office of Fair Trading. This is to be held at the Drapers Hall in London. The Right Honourable John Gummer, MP, who is the AFB chairnman will also be addressing the room. The date of this event is the 1st of July 2008.

A Director of the AFB Mr Robert Sinclair said: "As the acknowledged expert in Competition and European Law we are absolutely delighted that Philip Collins will be speaking to us after the dinner. Hopefully Philip will be able to provide valuable insights into the changing lending markets and of course the upcoming Competition Commission Report on Payment Protection. This will be a valuable opportunity to hear the views and opinions of the Man who runs the Office of Fair Trading."

The FSA's (Financial Services Authority) effectiveness is being questioned by the IMLA (Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association) after the FSA published it's 2nd stage of the Mortgage Effectiveness Review.

Peter Williams, executive director of IMLA, said: "IMLA welcomes the publication of the second stage of the Mortgage Effectiveness Review - although in reality the key findings are unsurprising and in some respects take the industry little further. Almost all sub-prime mortgage sales are through intermediaries, who are clearly best placed to take account of the very specific circumstances that such borrowers face. Not surprisingly, customers rely on their broker's professional advice and expertise."

"Although the findings in general are pretty salutary for the Financial Services Authority in terms of the MCOB, This study does throw into question the how effective the current regime really is and how much it's over-engineered. We're hoping that these findings will be fully considered when the MCOB review is fully done.