The total number of live mortgage schemes listed on the Mortgage Brain sourcing system increased by 26% in the past month, up from 3,534 on 4 January 2010 to 4,457 (as of 1 February 2010).

This represents a 78% increase in product availability compared to six months ago. A 28% increase is also seen when comparing figures to this time 12 months ago.

Trackers continued their rise with a 40% increase, up from 1,029 on 4 January to 1,434 now.

Fixed rate products still are leading with 2,664 of all available products following a 24% increase in January. Variable rate products climbed for the second month in a row (up 1%), with current figures listing 359 products, up from 354.

Mark Lofthouse, CEO of Mortgage Brain, said: “We’re seeing a fantastic start to the New Year with mortgage product availability on the increase across the board. We’ve just witnessed the biggest monthly increase in 12 months