First direct's decision to make mortgage products available to new customers has been welcomed by independent comparison website moneysupermarket.com.
The site, which provides comparison services on a range of financial products, states the move is the latest in a trend of positive announcements from a number of mortgage lenders .
It states that first direct's decision reveals "the clouds over the mortgage market are starting to clear, much to the relief of borrowers across the country".
Moneysupermarket.com hopes that the opening up of mortgages to new customers will be continued by other lenders .
In addition to first direct, the site also highlights HSBC, which has extended its rate matcher offer, and Abbey for cutting its mortgage rates .
Moneysupermarket.com compares products and services in 29 individual channels. These include credit cards, personal loans, car insurance and savings accounts .
Earlier this month, the website revealed that a "record number" of people in the UK were using payday loans as a short-term financial help, with the numbers having increased by 55 per cent since September last year.
