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Mortgage approvals 'at new low' Mortgage approvals 'at new low'
(41 minutes later)
UK mortgage lending by the major banks fell to a record low in August, with approvals for house purchases 64% lower than a year ago.UK mortgage lending by the major banks fell to a record low in August, with approvals for house purchases 64% lower than a year ago.
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said that 21,086 mortgages were approved for house purchases, down from 58,564 in August last year. The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said that 21,086 mortgages had been approved for house purchases, down from 58,564 in August last year.
The BBA said that falling property prices and the state of the economy would continue to have an impact.The BBA said that falling property prices and the state of the economy would continue to have an impact.
Consumer credit rose by £0.4bn in August, the figures show.Consumer credit rose by £0.4bn in August, the figures show.
"Falling property prices, economic pressures on households, tighter lending criteria and anticipation of the government's announcement on stamp duty all suppressed or delayed demand in August and will continue having an impact in the months ahead," said BBA statistics director David Dooks."Falling property prices, economic pressures on households, tighter lending criteria and anticipation of the government's announcement on stamp duty all suppressed or delayed demand in August and will continue having an impact in the months ahead," said BBA statistics director David Dooks.
Housing slowdownHousing slowdown
The number of mortgage approvals for house purchases fell from 22,239 in July to the lowest figure since current figures were collected in September 1997.The number of mortgage approvals for house purchases fell from 22,239 in July to the lowest figure since current figures were collected in September 1997.
Approvals for remortgaging in August were 28% lower than last year, at 47,765. This was the lowest level since early 2001, the BBA said.Approvals for remortgaging in August were 28% lower than last year, at 47,765. This was the lowest level since early 2001, the BBA said.
In total, net mortgage lending rose by £2.1bn in August, less than half of the average rise over the previous six months.In total, net mortgage lending rose by £2.1bn in August, less than half of the average rise over the previous six months.
The BBA's members account for about two-thirds of mortgage lending and the figures reflect the sharp slowdown in the housing market.The BBA's members account for about two-thirds of mortgage lending and the figures reflect the sharp slowdown in the housing market.