U.K. Paragon Planning 2 Deals Per Year

Paragon Mortgages, the specialist U.K. buy-to-let (BTL) lender, said it plans to do two securitizations per year, with the next deal planned for spring 2014, according to a Standard & Poor’s report.

The U.K. lender priced its first U.K. buy-to-let transaction of 2013 to strong investor demand in September. Paragon reported last Wednesday that its BTL loan advances increased 90% YTD in the 9 months to Sept. 30, and its pipeline of new business is £230 million—up from £130 million in Sept. 2012.  

Paragon stopped originating buy-to-let mortgages between 2008 and 2010. The buy-to-let specialist lender launched the last investor-placed U.K. buy-to-let RMBS, Paragon Mortgages 17, in Oct. 2012. 

“Strong private rental demand could push up U.K. buy-to-let lending, despite greater mortgage availability for first-time buyers in recent months,” said S&P.

The average rent in England and Wales rose 0.7% m/m and 1.3% y/y in August to £743, £1 below the all-time high; 5 of 10 regions saw y/y rent rises, led by London at 5%, according to figures reported by the Mortgage Finance Gazette and LSL Property Services. The number of new lettings increased 9% m/m and 14% y/y.