In brief

Mortgage Express has revealed it is to change its national sales team structure. The move will see the split of its regional intermediary sales managers and its team of business development managers.

Tim Sturley, head of mortgage distribution at Mortgage Express, said: “I believe that going forward we can improve the customer experience by creating these new roles, and can provide a keener focus on delivering the kind of service they need.”

Accord alters rates

Accord Mortgages has made changes to its prime range product matrix.

Its product range includes three-year fixes, with rates starting from 4.63 per cent. There is also a 100 per cent offer at a rate of 5.39 per cent.

Linda Will, managing director of Accord, said: “We’re keen to get 2006 off to a good start and these improved prices show we’re serious about attracting brokers’ business.”

Britannia to help FTBs

Britannia Building Society has launched a first-time buyer (FTB) mortgage range, including a three-year fixed rate at 4.99 per cent.

The product has no admin or arrangement fees and offers a free first standard valuation, saving the buyer over £600 in upfront fees.

There is also no higher lending charge attached to the product and the range is available on three tiers, depending on the amount the borrower has as a deposit.

Guaranteed and GHL unveil ‘real time’ case-tracking

Guaranteed and Genesis Home Loans have announced the launch of a ‘real time’ case-tracking facility which, when logged on, allows the satellite packager to see details of any live cases it has on the system.

Updated every five minutes, the packager will receive e-mail alerts each time a change is made to any of their cases.

Sales transactions increase by 100 per cent

Estate agent haart has revealed growing consumer confidence in the London housing market, with sales transactions up 100 per cent on the previous year.

The estate agency attributed this rise in consumer confidence to a shortage of housing stock and record Christmas City bonuses. It further revealed a rise in the average property price in London to £233,317 for December, up from November’s total of £230,852

ifs and Absolutely Training launch competence tool

The Institute of Financial Services (ifs) and Absolutely Training Ltd have teamed up to launch a Competence Maintenance Tool.

The service, which provides a range of scenarios that advisers can tailor to their specific needs, has already interested a number of organisations.

Mark Roberts, head of faculty financial regulation at ifs, said: “People liked what they heard about it and on seeing the final product were keen to sign up.”