The number of mortgages approved for house purchases in the U.K. increased to 53,504 in March from 51,947 in February, data published by the Bank of England showed Tuesday. The March figure stayed above the consensus forecast of 52,700.
Lending secured on dwellings increased only GBP 0.4 billion compared to last month's growth of GBP 0.8 billion. It was forecast to rise by GBP 0.6 billion.
Net consumer credit increased GBP 0.5 billion in March, the same amount of increase as seen in February, and also matched economists' expectations. The monthly rate of growth remained unchanged at 0.3 percent.
In a separate communique, the statistical office said annual growth in M3 money supply halved to 0.3 percent in March from 0.6 percent in February. Month-on-month, it was down by 0.9 percent.
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