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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Anon

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19:12 PM, 30th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "30/01/2014 - 19:06":

"Too late now PC plod! Or were you there all along but decided to turn a blind eye just like the FCA did to us"

Fed Up Landlord

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19:29 PM, 30th January 2014, About 11 years ago

"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"

Now this is what BOI borrowers call "changing the differential"!!!

Darrell G

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19:37 PM, 30th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Mark/Justin - Count me in.

Paul Eastabrook

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20:47 PM, 30th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "30/01/2014 - 19:06":

"Financial Conduct Authority finally forced to get tough with BoI"

Colin Childs

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21:06 PM, 30th January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Eastabrook" at "30/01/2014 - 20:47":

"Given how few write-offs have so far been made, the high level of mortgage repayment arrears remains the biggest concern. There is a risk that new insolvency legislation risks will crystallise more losses for the Irish banks. A second round of bank ‘stress tests’ is due to take place in 2014. Until the results are published, it is difficult to know how quickly the Irish banks can return to normality. "

Was recently reading an article on the recovery in the Irish economy.

GHH 64

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7:17 AM, 31st January 2014, About 11 years ago

For those interested please see House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry into structure of banking in NI - BOI gave evidence last week - published as 'uncorrected evidence' at this point but......

Also have email from Jeffrey Donaldson MP indicating that he will sign& support the EDM

Lucy McKenna

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8:54 AM, 31st January 2014, About 11 years ago

Lucy McKenna

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9:27 AM, 31st January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "LS " at "31/01/2014 - 08:54":

Q548 "aggressive banking" I think increasing a differential from 1.75 to 4.49 could be termed this. Whilst it is affordable now with low interest rates, if bank interest goes back to where it was when the mortgage was taken out plus 4.49 it will certainly be putting some people out of "business". And the fear is if they get away with it once what is to stop them increasing the 4.49

Lucy McKenna

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9:34 AM, 31st January 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Justin Selig" at "29/01/2014 - 18:25":

Justin, I look forward to my email. Is there anyway that these emails could be sent out in smaller batches. I know bulk emailings go straight to my spam. Fear is that the "interested" parties may not get their email and we need everyone we can get. I would willing send them out individually but it wouldn't be possible for you to give me the email addresses. Do the email sending companies have facilities to stop this somehow. IT is not my field.

Lucy McKenna

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9:45 AM, 31st January 2014, About 11 years ago

The parliamentary EDM is up to 31 signatures and I know there are more to be added.
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/976

Please please if you have not yet emailed your MP do it asap. It is just a copy and paste job and takes minutes. Post the forum if you want help with finding this.

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