By Charlie Conchie The City watchdog said lenders need to “step up” to support their customers today as they are battered by soaring mortgage rates and rising prices this year. Speaking at a Treasury Select Committee hearing, Richard Lloyd, the interim chairman of the Financial Conduct Authority, said he was “worried” at the state of the market and the regulator was ready to force banks into providing better protection to borrowers and mortgage holders. “This is extremely stressful for individuals, for their mental health and finances in a way that people haven’t experienced in the housing mar…