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UK lenders approved most mortgages in six months in July

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 1, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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UK lenders approved most mortgages in six months in July
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LONDON (Reuters) -British lenders approved the most mortgages in July since January, according to Bank of England data published on Monday that added to signs of a stabilisation in the housing market

UK Mortgage Approvals Reach Highest Level Since January in July

LONDON (Reuters) -British lenders approved the most mortgages in July since January, according to Bank of England data published on Monday that added to signs of a stabilisation in the housing market after volatility caused by the end of a tax break.

Banks and building societies signed off on 65,352 mortgages during the month, more than the median forecast of 64,400 in a Reuters poll of economists.

The housing market dipped immediately after the expiry of a tax break for some homebuyers in April and appears to have largely settled since then.

However, figures published earlier on Monday by the Nationwide Building Society showed an unexpected fall in house prices in August as buyers struggled to afford high valuations.

The BoE data also showed stronger-than-expected increases in mortgage and consumer borrowing during July.

Consumer borrowing rose by 7.0% in the 12 months to July, the biggest such increase since the 12 months to October 2024.

(Writing by William Schomberg; editing by Sarah Young)

Key Takeaways

  • UK mortgage approvals reached the highest level since January.
  • 65,352 mortgages were approved in July, exceeding forecasts.
  • The housing market is stabilizing after a tax break ended.
  • Nationwide reported a fall in house prices in August.
  • Consumer borrowing rose by 7.0% over the past year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many mortgages were approved in July?
Banks and building societies approved 65,352 mortgages in July, exceeding the median forecast of 64,400.
What recent trend has been observed in the housing market?
The housing market has shown signs of stabilization after a dip following the expiry of a tax break for some homebuyers in April.
What did the Nationwide Building Society report about house prices?
The Nationwide Building Society reported an unexpected fall in house prices in August as buyers struggled with high valuations.
What was the increase in consumer borrowing in July?
Consumer borrowing rose by 7.0% in the 12 months to July, marking the largest increase since October 2024.
What does the Bank of England data indicate?
The Bank of England data indicated stronger-than-expected increases in both mortgage approvals and consumer borrowing during July.

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