Nationwide CEO sees 3-4 pct UK house price growth in "healthy" market

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The boss of Britain's second-biggest mortgage lender Nationwide said the UK housing market was "healthy and strong" and he expected house price inflation to continue at about 3-4 percent, although there could be a cool-down in the London market.

"It (the UK housing market) is healthy and strong, but it's nothing to raise your eyebrows. It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) 's nothing that I'd describe as extraordinary," Nationwide Chief Executive Graham Beale told Reuters on Friday.

"We've seen this year annualised house price inflation of about 3-4 percent and we'd expect that to continue."

He said the London market could cool from recent price growth of just over 10 percent, however.

"My expectation is you will see a dampening of prices (in London) as there comes a point when it (the price) overwhelms the growth in wages," he said.

Beale was speaking after customer-owned Nationwide said its profits jumped by more than a quarter in its latest six months, driven by record mortgage lending. (Reporting by Steve Slater; Editing by Mark Potter)