Barclays drops fee

BARCLAYS has launched its lowest fixed-rate mortgage ever - a 5.95 per cent fix until September 1994 with no arrangement fee, but available only to first-time buyers. For other borrowers there is a pounds 150 fee and the fix is at 6.95 per cent.

Capital Home Loans is offering a 4.95 per cent one-year capped mortgage for advances of up to 80 per cent. Its two- year, 80 per cent advance, fix is pegged at 6.79 per cent and the five-year version at 8.29 per cent. There is an arrangement fee of pounds 295.

West Bromwich Building Society has a two-year 6.65 per cent fix. It offers a free valuation and will lend up to 90 per cent of the property value. The arrangement fee is pounds 195.