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

toona rama

15:00 PM, 30th March 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Smith (Barrister-At-Law)" at "30/03/2016 - 14:15":

I think the interest has always been there it is just converting sufficient interest into financial commitment to fund whichever legal route. If there was a guarantee that by contributing, say, £1000 each that the BOI decision would be reversed, funding would not be a problem; but of course there are no guarantees.

There was a potential way of funding a direct legal challenge proposed some time ago where a claim(?) company (or legal insurer) would pay for the legal challenge in return for the accrued overpayments to date. I am not sure why this didn't proceed but the accrued overpayments to date must make this a particularly attractive proposition now. Could that not be resurrected somehow or was there a technical reason that didn't proceed?

Simon tk

9:22 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Hi,

Just wanted to ask what teh West Brom decision means for the Bank of Ireland tracker mortgages in a similar position means? Is there hope for us? What can we do?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

9:55 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Simon tk" at "09/06/2016 - 09:22":

Unless affected borrowers back our latest campaign it means nothing

See http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/property118-action-group

If we raise the money we need the BoI will be square in the cross hairs of our sights.
.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

9:57 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Simon tk" at "09/06/2016 - 09:22":

Unless affected borrowers back our latest campaign it means nothing

See http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/property118-action-group

If we get anywhere near to close to our stretch target the BoI will be square in the cross hairs of our sights.

All help will be greatly appreciated.
.

Sandra W

10:20 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

I've benefitted from being part of the West Brom action. So now I've put my £600 in to help BoI customers and others afffected get their day of justice. Good luck!

Andy Jones

10:50 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Its wonderful to know people can be so generous Sandra, I am struggling to raise the £600 needed, I'm not a landlord but a residential mortgage owner affected by this travesty from the BOI. AS soon as I have the pledge money and know I can cough it up I hope to be able to make the pledge.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

10:55 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Sandra W" at "09/06/2016 - 10:20":

Thank you Sandra

Just to keep the link in view for other http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/property118-action-group/?
.

Concerned about my BOI mortgage

11:12 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Well done on West Brom. That's incredible news. Let's try and make the BoI action a reality!

Does anyone know what the position for any recourse will be for people who have since paid off their BoI mortgages or re-mortgaged with another lender?

Im Screwed

11:47 AM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

Just called BOI to ask for a refund based on west Brom win. There legal department are not taking calls !!!!!!!
Spoke to the FOS who said there aware of the ruling and are reviewing there decision

What a combined pair of &€7¥$

Please call BOi and ask for a refund if for nothing else than to make a nuisance

Seething Landlord

12:35 PM, 9th June 2016, About 8 years ago

It won't surprise me if BOI now do a "voluntary" U turn - the pressure on them will be immense in the light of all the publicity following the West Brom ruling. How long will it be before the news media start asking them to explain why they are continuing to penalise their borrowers now that the arguments in support of their action have been blown apart? The FOS will also be striving to redeem themselves and justify their existence - this case is a major blow to their credibility.
I agree with Im Screwed that anyone affected should start making a nuisance of themselves by contacting both organisations and demanding that they refund all the over-payments and compensate for other losses that borrowers have suffered.

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