Bank of Ireland increase differential on tracker rates

Bank of Ireland increase differential on tracker rates

10:32 AM, 28th February 2013, About 11 years ago 1862

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The story of the Bank of Ireland decision to increase to the differential (interest rate margin) on  tracker mortgages started on this forum when a professional landlord contacted Property118 within minutes of a letter from Bank of Ireland landing on his door mat. What ensued was outrage from landlords and affected residential mortgage borrowers. The story was quickly picked up by the National Media as it wasn’t just the 13,500 affected borrowers who were worried.

Will this set a precedent for other mortgage lenders to follow?

Property118 reacted by using funds donated to The GOOD Landlords Campaign to underwrite the cost of a barristers opinion on the legality of the Bank of Ireland’s actions. The remainder of this thread,one of the most read and most commented threads of all time on Property118, continues to tell the story as it unfolds.

If you want to skip the story and cut to the chase simply CLICK HERE

Of the 13,500 affected borrowers, 1,200 have had the decision reversed by Bank of Ireland. With additional support and pressure we believe all affected borrowers can and will see justice done.

___________________________________________

Lee, a professional Landlord asks, “help! I have just received a letter from the Bank of Ireland stating they want to increase the differential on my tracker rates.

I have 12 mortgages with the Bank of Ireland previously Bristol and West. I have been on a base rate tracker of 1.75% above base, but now Bank of Ireland are using some fine print claiming they have to recapitalise and saying the ‘new differential will be 4.49%.

How can I fight back?”

The original policy wording seems to be:

6 INTEREST

Charging interest at a tracker rate

(j) Unless we change the differential (if any) under condition 6 (n), we will not change the tracker rate unless the base rate changes.

(m) in condition 6 (n):
– a “positive differential” means a percentage which we add to the base rate to arrive at the tracker rate; and a “negative differential” means a percentage which we subtract from the base rate to arrive at the tracker rate.

(n) We may reduce a positive differential or increase a negative differential at our discretion by giving you not less than seven days written notice. This means that we can change the differential in a way that is favourable to you.

The above seems to indicate that they can reduce the rate in my favour, but not give them the right to increase it. Am I correct?


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Comments

Black Panther

16:08 PM, 13th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "LS " at "13/07/2015 - 08:08":

I just checked out the website. THere is an option to Pre-submit a question at the FCA public meeting, see below:

"If you would like to pre-submit a question to be addressed during the meeting, you will have the opportunity to do so when registering your place online."

So for anyone else who, like me, cannot attend the meeting, I suggest we all ask the FCA why they are not fulfilling at least one of their 3 'operational objectives - as listed on their site (see Link listed by Paul Brindley above) - and outlined below.

"We will look at how we have delivered against our strategic objective to make markets work well, and our three operational objectives of securing an appropriate degree of protection for consumers, protecting and enhancing the integrity of the UK financial system and promoting effective competition in the interests of consumers."

Black Panther

16:18 PM, 13th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Brindley" at "13/07/2015 - 07:39":

The questions I would like answered by the FCA at the Public Meeting is the following:

I would like to know why the FOS (Financial Ombudsman Service) has protected the Bank of Ireland from it's duties and obligations to thousands of Mortgagees and allowed them to get away with increasing the 'differential' of mortgages? And why the FCA is failing in at least two of it's three 'operational objectives' ie. to secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers, and protecti and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system ?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

14:48 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

I made a massive booboo this morning.

I published an article last night which will be of interest to all those affected by the BoI rate hike but I forgot to put it in the Newsletter today.

Here is the link >>> http://www.property118.com/bank-of-ireland-deal/76533/

It will be in the Newsletter tomorrow and also the weekly roundup on Saturday.
.

Paul Brindley

15:49 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Mark, I hardly think it's a massive boo-boo taking one extra day to tell people effected by this that they can reset their rate to what it used to be before the bank had their trousers down! All the credit to you to finding it when no one else has!

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

16:01 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Brindley" at "16/07/2015 - 15:49":

Thanks Paul, maybe I'm being too hard on myself.
.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

16:06 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

My fears are that the product will be withdrawn once BoI get wind of what's going on.

I want our members to get in first before all and sundry who failed to support us get wind of this and BoI retention depertment get flooded.

This could be a 'first come first served' things folks!

I've already had it confirmed by a Facebook friend that he's managed to extend his loan terms and switch 8 BTL mortgages onto this product so get in quick - IT IS REAL!!!
.

Tricia Collick

16:45 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "16/07/2015 - 14:48":

Wow, thanks for the info Mark, I will look at the deal tomorrow as we have visitors till then and make sure I read small print carefully knowing they are particularly sneaky banksters....and if it works try to make a donation from the saving..
I can find a little to reduce the total as my mother sold her apartment (we think) and she will give me some towards it, this may be the time to reduce exposure too...

I guess it won't effect the 'case'.
Do you think something made them do this ?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

16:51 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Tricia Collick" at "16/07/2015 - 16:45":

As I said to Paul Bridley over on the Facebook thread ....

It is likely the right hand hasn't got a clue what the left hand is doing. I was chatting to somebody about lenders having business retention departments and though to myself "I wonder ....". The rest is pretty obvious LOL

I recently posted on the new article you've just read .....

My fears are that the product will be withdrawn once BoI get wind of what’s going on.

I want our members to get in first before all and sundry who failed to support us get wind of this and BoI retention department get flooded with calls.

This could be a ‘first come first served’ things folks!

I've already had it confirmed by a Facebook friend that he's managed to extend his loan terms and switch 8 BTL mortgages onto this product so get in quick - IT IS REAL!!!

See link below
.

Denise Donovan

18:52 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Thank you so much. Am currently paying 6% on my HBOS deal. If can change happily contribute.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

19:03 PM, 16th July 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Denise Donovan" at "16/07/2015 - 18:52":

It's only for BoI existing borrowers, sorry.
.

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