It's getting worse in the UK as well.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/03/27/cmnationwide27.xml
Nationwide cracks down on mortgage lending
By Emma Thelwell
Last Updated: 11:48pm GMT 27/03/2008
Nationwide plans a dramatic withdrawal of some of its best deals from the mortgage market tomorrow, in a further sign that Britain's banks and building societies are cutting back on lending amid the crisis in the credit markets.
Nationwide's 2-year tracker for a 95pc mortgage will jump by more than half a percentage point to 7pc - higher than its standard variable rate of 6.74pc. All of Nationwide's fixed rate products will see rates increased by 0.2pc.
Nationwide is withdrawing some of its best mortgage deals from the market
Nationwide has announced plans to withdraw some of its best deals from the mortgage market
The lender plans to throw out some of its most competitive 2-year fixed and tracker mortgages.
David Hollingsworth from London & Country, the mortgage broker, said: "Halifax and Abbey have been hiking rates and withdrawing products on almost a weekly basis.
"Nationwide's move shows there is no end to the current round of constant withdrawals and repricings.
"I know it's already a cliche, but (for those trying to secure a mortgage) it really is a case of blink and you miss it."
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Mr Hollingsworth said Nationwide's "quite radical" repricing is indicative of where the mortgage market is currently at. A big shift away from volume, in favour of quality and price, is well underway, he said.
In a note announcing the changes to mortgage brokers across the country, Nationwide said: "We have recently been experiencing large numbers of mortgage applications and with recent competitor changes this is likely to increase.
"However, as a prudent institution we have to manage our business volumes, and focus continues to be on quality, not market share."
The lowest available rate for a 2-year fixed rate tracker provided by Nationwide will now be set at 6.4pc, with a set-up fee of £599. This contrasts notably with the likes of Co-op Bank's rate of 5.49pc, with a £999 fee.
Last week, the Council of Mortgage Lenders warned that more lenders would clamp down unless the Bank of England takes action to ease the conditions in the credit markets.
The number of mortgage approvals dropped by a third last month, according to latest figures from the British Bankers' Association.
Meanwhile, Savills Private Finance, the mortgage broker, is contacting all its customers on fixed-rate deals that expire any time this year, advising them to apply early to secure a deal.