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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Paul Brindley

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14:28 PM, 4th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "04/02/2014 - 14:03":

He knows I won't take no for an answer.

I'd love to see the government's reaction to Northern Rock style queues outside every Post Office in all our main towns! Let's not forget that the government didn't really want to get involved in NR, it was only queues like that which stirred the government into action. It might just take the same now.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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14:34 PM, 4th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Brindley" at "04/02/2014 - 14:28":

You will be a hero if you manage to pull it off Paul, go for it, you can't do any harm 🙂
.

Fed Up Landlord

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14:53 PM, 4th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Well if all the BOI borrowers who have money in the Post Office (Read BOI) decided on one day to queue up outside a selected number of branches to withdraw their cash - would this be classed as a run on the bank?

As soon as this hit the fan I withdrew all funds in the Post Office and write and told them why. That they were in bed with an unethical business that rips off its customers. Then they wrote back and asked if that constituted a complaint!!

As has been stated before on this forum - if you have money in the Post Office administrated by the BOI they can have your savings away in lieu of the mortgage debt.

I doubt if any BOI borrowers have any money in the PO - but if you have- get it out quick as they might have it away to pay off your mortgage and then use it for their legal fees to defend the class action. And do not think they will not do it.

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16:02 PM, 4th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "04/02/2014 - 14:53":

Yes good idea gary its a bit of a nuisance changing your post office account to another savings bank, but removing savings from the post office is the first thing I did with a letter explaining why when hearing about the boi scam..I was not personally affected but more by luck than judgement, but I paid an initial donation to the cause anyway.
If I had been affected it would almost certainly pushed me to the edge of bankruptcy as I have several boi mortgages.Its difficult for people like myself who are not currently having to pay the price to support at present with another £500 but if I was affected I would not hesitate.Its worth supporting and I may donate more to the cause in future. I am.still keeping a close eye on developments.

GHH 64

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22:59 PM, 4th February 2014, About 11 years ago

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmniaf/uc650-ix/uc65001.htm

Uncorrected oral evidence to the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee by BOI - Q523 -528 deal with the BOI/PO structure & 528 (Sherrard) seems particularly interesting re mortgage pricing - seems to suggest that there is flexibility in pricing in the face of completion which is not the message on base-rate trackers.

If you know different I'm sure the committee would be delighted to hear from you.....

Colin Childs

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23:13 PM, 4th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "GHH 64" at "04/02/2014 - 22:59":

In answer to Q535. Des Crowley.

" In summary, the most recent change-and the final change-is that the Bank of Ireland, between now and 2015, has to deleverage or exit its business banking operations in Great Britain, but that has no impact on our Northern Ireland operations."

Something which appears to have gone under the radar so far.

Fed Up Landlord

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0:05 AM, 5th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "chris mccauley" at "04/02/2014 - 16:02":

Chris I and a number of others appreciate your support even though you were not affected yourself. Actually gives me some faith in human nature. Thank you.

Fed Up Landlord

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0:06 AM, 5th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "chris mccauley" at "04/02/2014 - 16:02":

Chris I and a number of others appreciate your support even though you were not affected yourself. Actually gives me some faith in human nature. Thank you.

Paul Brindley

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2:02 AM, 5th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Anybody fancy handing out leaflets outside Post Offices with us next week?

Colin Childs

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22:12 PM, 5th February 2014, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Brindley" at "05/02/2014 - 02:02":

Given the apathy towards the amount of tax paid by US Corporations. Action such as this is unlikely to generate a groundswell of public support. Besides which people are more interested in keeping their local Post Offices open than seeing them shut. .

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