Mortgage market

NewHouse_3

I am looking for a higher mortgage to move home. My current lender has recently changed their criteria and will only lend 2x my main salary. When I asked about a new mortgage when my deal was up a few months ago, they were prepared to lend 3.25 my salary. Is this a trend accross the market now?

I have been doing a bit of homework and spoke to 3 mainstream banks and 2 have said they still lend based on affordability. The bank where I hold my current account gave me an agreement in principle for the equivalent of 4x my salary on a mortgage for 90% of the house value. Not sure if I would really be offered that if I took things further but it surprised me the difference in lending criteria.

Also, there does appear to be more 90% mortgages on the market again. Are banks beginning to lend again? Are they still being as strict with regards to credit history?