British banks brace for deeper slump by pulling mortgage deals

London

BRITISH mortgage lenders are beginning to batten down the hatches for an oncoming spike in unemployment.

HSBC Holdings, Barclays and Natwest Group have tightened restrictions on home loans for risky borrowers as officials unwind pandemic-support efforts. Then there is the renewed prospect of a no-deal Brexit, threatening to deepen what is already the worst recession in centuries.