The FSA has banned East London based mortgage broker, Ayodele Olubunmi Thomas, for knowingly submitting false and misleading information about his income to obtain mortgages and loan advances.

Searching for new clients and replacing lost income topped an RBS poll assessing mortgage brokers' most pressing concerns.

Gross lending by building societies hit a year high last month, but remains more than 40% below the figure recorded in July 2008.

Adviser reaction is mixed following the launch by HSBC of one of its cheapest-ever mortgage deals.

Mortgage brokers are broadly optimistic about their business prospects for the next 12 months, research from RBS Intermediary Partners (RBS IP) shows.

The continuing debate on specialist lenders' arrears management intensified last week, after City Minister Lord Myners called for a crackdown on charges levied by lenders when borrowers fall into mortgage arrears.

Financial services firms must make sure their customers understand what they are letting themselves in for when they sign up for mortgages, consumer loans and other products, according to the OECD.

The FSA has banned Hornchurch-based mortgage broker Abdul Karim for submitting a mortgage application for himself that was based on false information about his income.