Japan Banks Mizuho, Sumitomo Mitsui to Lower Mortgage-Loan Rates - 2004-01-29
Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. said Thursday they will cut some of their fixed-rate mortgage loans, effective Feb. 2.

Mizuho Bank will lower the rates on loans with a fixed-rate period of seven to 20 years by 0.05 percentage point to 3.4 percent-4.75 percent per annum.

Sumitomo Mitsui will lower the rates fixed for 10 to 35 years by 0.05-0.1 point to 3.3 percent-3.9 percent.
Read the full story at Miami Herald

Lender says house-price rises will taper - 2004-01-29
Mortgage lender Northern Rock yesterday said that house price growth would abate this year, as it shies away from lending to more riskier first-time buyers. It posted record profits for 2003, up 19% to £387m, and net lending up 27% to £8.5bn.

Northern Rock is concentrating on keeping its existing clients, winning remortgages and lending to people moving house. Its proportion of lending to first-time buyers dropped to 23%.
Read the full story at Guardian Unlimited