UK net mortgage lending hits five-year high in August - BBA

British banks approved the highest number of mortgages in 18 months in August and net mortgage lending hit a five-year high as Britons made the most of record-low interest rates before an expected rise next year, data showed on Thursday. The British Bankers' Association said its members approved 46,473 home loans in August, the highest number since February 2014. Net mortgage lending was 1.955 billion pounds ($2.98 billion) in cash terms, up from 1.701 billion in July and a level last exceeded i