KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Lugo Funding 2026-1 DAC Business Wire KBRA Europe (KBRA) assigns preliminary ratings to seven classes of notes to be issued by Lugo Funding 2026-1 DAC, a static RMBS securitisation backed by a portfolio of mortgage participations and mortgage transfer certificates (together, Mortgage Certificates) issued by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA). The Mortgage Certificates represent the economic rights to receive payments [...]
London house prices fall again as property slowdown drags on Property London house prices fell again in May as uncertainty over Andy Burnham’s premiership dampened market confidence. The average house price in the capital slipped by 3.7 per cent to £545,000 in the year to May, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Prices jumped in the rest of the country, though the headline rate [...]
Manchester was Burnham’s rehearsal – now get ready to pay the bill Opinion Burnham has asked to be judged on Manchester – where his record is more spending, more borrowing and higher taxes, says Gareth Davies Andy Burnham walks into Downing Street with a simple pitch: judge me on Manchester. I am happy to take him up on it. Start with tax. In 2018, Mr Burnham created a [...]
Housebuilders urge Rayner to ‘hit the ground running’ and rip up planning red tape July 22, 2026 Housebuilders have called on Angela Rayner to “hit the ground running” and rip up planning red tape after her surprise comeback as housing secretary. Rayner resigned as housing secretary in September over an investigation into her tax affairs but was cleared of wrongdoing in March this year. Leading housebuilding figures told City AM they welcomed [...]
Stop recycling Angela Rayner and reform planning instead July 21, 2026 Angela Rayner is back as housing minister but still nothing substantial has changed in housing policy, says Duncan Kreeger Angela Rayner has returned to the housing brief. Fine, I suppose – she’s paid her stamp duty bill now at least. But if Andy Burnham wants us to have hope that the country might actually build [...]
Wealthy Brits fear Burnham tax consequences July 20, 2026 Wealthy Brits are bracing for a major shake-up of the tax system, as the UK’s new prime minister looks for ways to fund fresh spending commitments. Prior to taking office, Andy Burnham had already hinted at plans over how the country should be taxed. The Makerfield MP has so far refused to rule out a [...]
The Executive Ledger: Is the company car consigned to history? July 17, 2026 The traditional executive company car used to be defined by a beautifully simple set of rules, writes motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay. It required a German saloon, 3.0 litres of naturally aspirated displacement, finished in metallic paint, and a designated parking space close to the boardroom doors. It was a statement of seniority, paid for by [...]
KBRA Releases UK RMBS Indices: Q2 2026 July 17, 2026 KBRA releases its UK RMBS Indices: Q2 2026. The indices track early-, mid-, and late-stage delinquencies, annualised net losses, and prepayment activity across prime, buy-to-let (BTL), and nonconforming (NC) mortgage collateral. Click here to view the report. About KBRA KBRA, one of the major credit rating agencies, is registered in the U.S., EU, and the [...]
Why does Britain treat housebuilding as one big burden? July 14, 2026 Housebuilding is one of Britain's most obvious economic opportunities, yet government and citizens alike seem to see it only as a burden.
KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to UK Logistics 2026-3 DAC July 10, 2026 KBRA UK (KBRA) is pleased to announce the assignment of preliminary ratings to five classes of UK Logistics 2026-3 DAC, a CMBS single-borrower transaction. The collateral for the transaction is a £603.0 million participation in a £753.0 million limited recourse, first lien mortgage loan, originated in June 2026 by Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Standard [...]