Northern Ireland is leading the way in mortgage lending this week with news that a local lender is now the last UK bank offering 100% mortgages.

The Northern Bank yesterday was still offering a deal that doesn't require borrowers to put down a deposit.

The Ulster Bank withdrew its equivalent product yesterday following the last mainstream UK bank's withdrawal from the high-risk sector on Monday.

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Such mortgages do not require the buyer to pay any deposit and were a common feature during the credit boom.

Some lenders even offered mortgages worth more than the value of the property, up to 125%, but these are now a thing of the past.

This time last year there were about 40 mortgage providers offering 100% mortgages.

Lending on all 100% of a property's current value in a market where prices were falling was risky because if the borrower had to sell the house for less than the original price they may then need to cover the loss.

A spokeswoman for Northern Bank said its 100% mortgage was subject to usual criteria, and was regularly reviewed.

(BMcC)