The mortgage market is beginning to dampen, according to new figures.

Statistics released by the Building Societies Association (BSA) indicated that home loan approvals accounted for some 4,739 million pounds (Sterling) over the course of May.

However, during the same month in 2006 this figure stood at 5,454 million pounds - recording a year-on-year fall of 13 per cent.

The proportion of money issued via mortgage lending reached a record height last month, new figures indicate.

According to research conducted by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), about 30.6 billion was lent out in secured and home Loans over the course of May - the highest number noted for the month.

Overall, last month's lending was up on April figures by some 12 per cent.

More Britons are looking to save money, according to new figures.

The MoneyMood Survey from Legal and General indicated that 62 per cent of adults were in the mood to save after paying bills and servicing debts accrued on Personal loans, credit cards and other avenues of borrowing as of the end of May.

During the same month in 2005 only some 57 per cent of respondents surveyed were reported to be in the mood to save money.

Homebuyers need to be conscious of the implications of valuation fees when looking to move property, an industry expert has reported. According to Julia Harris, mortgage analyst for Moneyfacts, consumers - which may include those who have taken out a home and Secured loan - should be wary of all the applicable charges behind the house buying process.

Van owners could be well advised to ensure that they are using money from their motor loan to take out adequate insurance for their vehicle, it has been suggested.

According to research by AA Insurance, about a quarter (24 per cent) of commercial van drivers surveyed claim that if their means of transportation was unavailable then they could lose up to an average of 362 pounds every day.

An increasing number of consumers are failing to make loan repayments, new figures have revealed.

According to research carried out by MoneyExpert, more than 230,000 payments are missed every month - an average of 7,700 every day.

Since the beginning of this year, a total of 1,389,000 repayments on personal loans were reported to have been missed.

A government-backed housing body has warned that the next generation of homebuyers face average house prices that can be as much as ten times their salary. This warning comes as the number of homes being built decreases and the dream of becoming a homeowner becomes near to impossible for millions of young people.

The government-backed housing body, the new National Housing and Planning Advice Unit, found that more than a third of non-homeowners think that they will never be able to buy and a fifth believe that it will take them at least five years before they are able to afford a home.

Earlier this week, the Treasury announced that the implementation of hundreds of non-fee charging automated teller machines (ATM) throughout Britain is set to benefit more than one million people - in particular those on low incomes. The scheme, which will see some 600 fee-free ATMs installed, could well help some of the most financially vulnerable people across the country to manage their finances and handle their debts better.

Those yet to change to an offset mortgage could be "missing out", it has been suggested.

According to figures by Yorkshire Bank, some four million homeowners could collectively save up to 29 billion pounds in interest and income tax by switching their mortgage, savings and currents accounts to an offset product. With an average potential saving of more than 11,000, pounds making the switch could see households save some 11,000 pounds - a figure which could help many consumers pay off their secured homeowner loans.

The mortgage market is beginning to dampen, according to new figures.

Statistics released by the Building Societies Association (BSA) indicated that home loan approvals accounted for some 4,739 million pounds (Sterling) over the course of May.

However, during the same month in 2006 this figure stood at 5,454 million pounds - recording a year-on-year fall of 13 per cent.