The latest mortgage lending data has added to the Bank of England's dilemma over interest rates after a sharp rise in borrowing showed the property market had regained its previous momentum. The number of mortgages increased in June by 4% on the previous month, suggesting that tighter borrowing criteria imposed by the financial regulator this year had only cooled the market for a few months. The Council of Mortgage Lenders said a survey of the biggest lenders showed that 60,500 house purchase loans, worth £10bn, were taken out during the month, an increase of 5% by number and 6% by value on May's figures. Compared ... (full story)