Author: Jordan

Paragon Bank has introduced a formal pathway for non-standard buy-to-let mortgages, giving brokers a structured submission route and direct access to specialist underwriters for cases that fall outside its standard lending criteria. The new service, branded Tailored, addresses the growing complexity of landlord portfolios and business structures in the professional buy-to-let sector. Eligible cases include those involving higher loan amounts, larger or more intricate portfolios, and non-standard ownership arrangements such as trusts or trading companies. The service also accommodates landlords with varied tenant types, applicants outside standard age parameters, and those with limited sector track records. Rather than…

A sliver of cool surface water less than 2mm deep helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, a British-led team of scientists has established after months of voyages across the Atlantic painstakingly measuring gas and temperature levels.The subtle difference in temperature between the “ocean skin” and the layer of water beneath it creates an interface that leads to more CO2 being taken in, the scientists observed.They used highly sensitive equipment to measure the water temperature and to spot and record tiny differences in the amount of CO2 in the air swirling towards the ocean surface and away again.The work is seen as…

This investment builds on the Nuru Ya Mtoto project’s broader efforts to improve TB outcomes among PLHIV and vulnerable populations. With support from the US government, Nuru Ya Mtoto continues to work closely with county governments and partners to strengthen TB prevention, case identification, treatment, and TB/HIV integration through community outreach, facility-based interventions, and health systems strengthening. The project’s approach focuses on targeted community screening, mentorship of health care workers, routine data review to ensure targeted interventions, and strengthened referral and diagnostic systems to improve early detection, treatment outcomes, and continuity of care.The project implements these lifesaving interventions in four…

There has been a mixed response to plans for an overnight visitor levy Conflicts are looming between councils and combined authorities over the government’s plans to give mayors powers to charge a levy on overnight accommodation. Ministers face growing calls to allow greater local say over the policy – with demands including ring-fencing revenues, giving councils a veto or granting them their own tax-raising powers. The government announced the levy – sometimes referred to as a ‘tourist tax’ – in November to raise funds to support local growth and the visitor economy. A Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government…

HSBC UK has announced further mortgage rate reductions, cutting selected rates by up to 0.11% across its residential and buy to let ranges. The changes, which take effect from today, apply to products for first time buyers, home movers, remortgage customers and buy to let landlords. Among the headline changes, HSBC has reduced its two year fixed rate purchase product at 90% loan to value (LTV) with no fee by 0.11% to 5.06%. Its two year fixed rate purchase deal at 90% LTV with a £999 fee has been cut by 0.10% to 4.81%. For first time buyers,…

Thomas Cook (India) Limited has announced a significant expansion of its prepaid Forex Card portfolio to 28 currencies, with the addition of 16 new global currencies – creating one of India?s widest currency portfolios on a prepaid forex card. Thomas Cook India?s expanded prepaid Forex Card portfolio addresses this gap by enabling travellers to load and spend directly in local currencies, eliminate multiple conversions and access a secure, seamless alternative to cash. The newly added 16 currencies include: Chinese Yuan, Swedish Krona, Vietnamese Dong, Malaysian Ringgit, Indonesian Rupiah, Danish Krone, Hong Kong Dollar, Qatari Riyal, Norwegian Krone, Omani Riyal, Kuwaiti…

Shawbrook and The Mortgage Lender (TML) have announced a series of enhancements across their buy-to-let propositions, including a new limited-edition product launch and rate reductions across selected products within both ranges. TML has launched a new limited edition five-year fixed rate product, with rates starting from 4.74%. The products are available with both 2% and 5% completion fee options and include a free valuation. Several rate reductions have been made across both Shawbrook and TML buy-to-let products. TML has reduced rates by up to 15bps across selected two and five-year fixed products, with five-year fixed HMO rates now…

Oil traders barely batted an eyelid after the United States carried out a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, but their optimism is set to be tested as oil reserves near breaking point.Brent Crude traded near $US92 a barrel on Wednesday, having traded close to the middle of its 20-year price range for the best part of a month. It comes as oil markets wait for news of a ceasefire and a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz even as hostilities ramp up across the region.Loading… Source link

KAREN JOY BACUDO Finance Editor Experian has reported a shift in how Australians prioritise debt repayments under financial stress, with its latest analysis finding that mortgages are no longer consistently the first repayment households protect. The data points to changing repayment patterns as household budgets come under pressure from higher borrowing costs and living expenses. Experian examined which credit products were most likely to fall behind first among consumers who held at least two different products and were up to date at the start of a 12-month observation period. It reviewed arrears at 30 and 90 days past due and…

Ascendis Pharma (NASDAQ:ASND) is one of the most profitable growth stocks to buy. On May 7, Ascendis Pharma reported strong financial results for Q1 2026, reaching a total revenue of €247 million. This growth was primarily driven by YORVIPATH, which generated €197 million, alongside €44 million from SKYTROFA. Additionally, the company announced an agreement to sell its Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher for $187.5 million, further strengthening its financial position. The company is experiencing robust commercial momentum, highlighted by over 1,000 new US patient enrollments for YORVIPATH and more than 60 enrollments for YUVIWEL following its early April launch.…