Research by Tenet Lime has revealed 33% of brokers are looking to exit the mortgage industry in the next five years, with two-thirds of those planning to leave before the end of 2012.

The CML has declared the contraction in mortgage lending "the most severe on record", with mortgage loans down by more than 50% and gross mortgage lending down 55% since 2007.

The downward pressure on house prices will continue next year as the imbalance in supply and demand results in property prices falling 2% by the end of 2011, forecasts suggest.

Nationwide has reported a 26% rise in profits after it saw impaired loans almost halve during the first half of 2010.

Three-quarters of Kent Reliance Building Society members have voted in favour of its deal with US private equity firm JC Flowers, which will see the mutual become a bank.

The FSA this week moved to allay fears interest-only deals will disappear from the market, saying it remains a "sensible" option for some consumers.

The FSA is considering limiting the role brokers play in assessing customers' affordability by simplifying the criteria they currently use.

The number of online search enquiries by consumers for protection products has increased by 39% since the beginning of the year.

Lloyds Banking Group has announced it is to close Black Horse Personal Finance with the loss of 420 jobs.

The case against a wealthy Welsh estate agent's girlfriend accused of forging his will has collapsed and a retrial ordered.