Mortgage lending activity strengthened in August, report finds

Mortgage lending to home buyers strengthened in August, according to banks and building societies.

First-time buyers borrowed £5.7 billion in August, which was 16% more than in July and 12% more than in August 2016, according to trade body UK Finance.

Home movers borrowed £8.4 billion, marking an 18% increase on July and 20% more than in August last year.

Re-mortgaging by home owners totalled £6.4 billion, 4% less than in July but an 8% increase compared with August 2016.

UK Finance's head of mortgages policy June Deasy said: "Activity picked up in August, and recent resilience ensured that borrowing by home movers was at its highest since March 2016, when transactions were boosted by an imminent increase in stamp duty.

"Over the last 12 months, the number of people re-mortaging has been higher than in any period since late 2009.

"With mortgage rates close to historic lows and the likelihood of a rise in official rates moving closer, the popularity of re-mortgaging looks set to continue."