The UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have published joint final policy statement 11/25, finalising amendments to the PRA Rulebook and FCA Guidance (FG25/4) on the de minimis threshold for the Loan to Income (LTI) flow limit in mortgage lending. The LTI flow limit seeks to ensure that mortgage lenders limit the number of new residential mortgage loans made with an LTI ratio at, or greater than, 4.5 to no more than 15% of their total number of new mortgage loans per annum. This final policy statement follows the April consultation proposing to raise the threshold so that the LTI flow limit only applies to lenders issuing residential mortgages in aggregate exceeding GBP150 million per four rolling quarters (an increase from the current threshold of GBP100 million). The policy statement explains that the updated recommendation addresses the impact of inadvertent regulatory tightening due to growth in the UK economy since the threshold was first implemented. The aim is to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller lenders, allowing them to extend more residential mortgages before being subject to the LTI flow limit. The final amendments to the PRA Rulebook and FCA guidance remain consistent with the consultation proposals. The new rules and updated guidance are implemented through the PRA Rulebook: CRR Firms, Non-CRR Firms: Housing (Amendment) Instrument 2025 and will take effect on 11 July.
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