Bank of Ireland increase differential on tracker rates

Bank of Ireland increase differential on tracker rates

10:32 AM, 28th February 2013, About 12 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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Jeremy Smith

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18:34 PM, 20th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "LucyM " at "16/12/2013 - 21:31":

It sounds like they are going to make it harder to discuss it with them ::
" Full closure is planned to be completed by early 2014 at which point advice to existing customers will cease also…”

I was going to suggest something else they might be thinking of doing, but just in case they monitor customers' conversations on discussion boards, I will not say it here, in case it actually gives them the idea !!
- But think laterally and you'll arrive at my thoughts also !!

Colin Childs

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18:38 PM, 20th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Jeremy Smith" at "20/12/2013 - 18:34":

Not as simple to exit the mortgages and savings markets. Will take far longer to complete the shut down.

GHH 64

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8:46 AM, 21st December 2013, About 11 years ago

The EC is already forcing BOI to exit business & commercial lending in GB - this will be either run down/run off or sold off. My bet is rundown because there are few willing buyers in the market even for good lending portfolios. The run down will generate further loses for BOI as current customers are unable to re-finance at acceptable rates & more fall into administration/liquidation/bankruptcy etc.

The BOI brand is already disappearing from the high street & whatever services BOI offer in the retail market will be provided under the Post Office banner - but as this is a joint venture that will only last as long as the PO is content to be associated with BOI & no other buyer emerges. BOI is caught in the sense that it cannot make a unilateral decision to close down/sell the current GB mortgages/savings business.
Strategically PO needs a partner to provide financial services through its network - needs the commission/profit sharing which comes from that

As I have said here before the BOI/PO interdependency provides a unique point of vulnerability for both organisations irrespective of the outcome of any legal action -
particularly as I believe BOI is/ will consciously try to 'tart up' the JV business with a view to selling out shortly- again I'd guess that trying to push through rates rises is as much influenced by that as by any real increase in costs etc

The financial service business which is being closed down is/was commission driven and changes in the rules around payments of commission/ payment for advice have undermined the viability of the business model - BOI are not alone in pulling out of this area of activity. They just don't have the scope & scale to carry on.

My next guess is that they will pull out of credit cards with the business going to one of the mono-liners.

Rant over - Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to all!

Darrell G

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9:46 AM, 21st December 2013, About 11 years ago

My personal update - Sorry, I've not posted on 118 for a while, but have been following all posts re BoI rate rise.

Originally I refused to pay the additional rate increase & cancelled my direct debits on 3 of my affected properties & set up standing orders for the original amounts whilst the 'unfair rate rise & unfair contract terms' are in dispute. The BoI are now threatening repossession on the properties.

Whilst this is likely to be a lengthy fight, which I'm 100% in for the the long haul with the class action from the outset, but being busy enough, I've decided to pay the additional amounts just to alleviate the hassle factor.

Mark & Justin - Please keep me posted directly or on 118.

Regards Darrell-G

Fed Up Landlord

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10:38 AM, 21st December 2013, About 11 years ago

I still favour taking them to County Court. If they will not disclose the specific reasons for the increase and rely on wishy washy generalisations I fancy my chances in Small Claims Court. Might send them a bill over Xmas for £2000 and ask for payment in 14 days. Lets see if they will disclose it to the Judge.

Lucy McKenna

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12:50 PM, 22nd December 2013, About 11 years ago

Oh for some good news. Happy Christmas everyone, hope to see you all in the New Year, keep optimistic it is the only way. L.

John Smith

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14:38 PM, 23rd December 2013, About 11 years ago

Paul Eastabrook

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17:25 PM, 23rd December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "John Smith" at "23/12/2013 - 14:38":

Please forgive the intrusion from a West Bromwich thread interloper / participant, but the link doesn't seem to work, or has been changed. I think it should be:

http://www.ftadviser.com/2013/12/23/regulation/regulators/mps-demand-rights-bill-redraft-following-boi-rate-hike-mbi1zOfcGxDm1evzRtKPoN/article.html.

Best wishes to you all for Xmas and the New Year. Hopefully we can really start to put the squeeze on these cowboy institutions in the coming months.

mrs sharp

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13:41 PM, 24th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Today I received an update letter dated 19 Dec 2014 from FOS regarding my complaint about BoI.

" When we last wrote to you we said that we were actively considering our approach to the complaints we have received about Bank of Ireland's interest rate changes Our initial investigations suggest that there may be a range of outcomes, as consumers will have been affected by this issue in different ways.

We have requested and reviewed details which Bank of Ireland provided us. However, we still need some further information about the complex issues involved. We will be requesting this additional documentation from the bank shortly. We are hopeful this will not take too much longer and appreciate your patience while we are looking into this matter.

Yours sincerely, Clare Jose (team manager) "

Not much of an update really.
Theresa

A SAL

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16:00 PM, 4th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Theresa McAllister" at "24/12/2013 - 13:41":

Hi Theresa
I am about to send a complaint letter to fos and complete the complaint
form but not sure what to say / write on the compaint letter / box,
since you gone through this prcess if you could kindly offer any help that woud be helpful
Thanks

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