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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Concerned about my BOI mortgage

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17:51 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

BoI or Bristol and West took the business on risk. It is their business risk if the cost of providing the mortgages increases, but we borrowers are having to pay the costs of the refinancing of the bank.

We've got to take substantive action. I have to confess to sitting on the fence as I expected BoI to be taken to task over advertising mortgages at rates that were for the term of the loan and reneging on that.

The West Brom folks have managed to get it together. We cannot let BoI get away with this. It's a disgrace. What do we need to do?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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17:59 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Concerned about my BOI mortgage" at "27/10/2014 - 17:51":

The momentum has been lost so I think any renewed marketing initiative will be futile until the outcome of the West Brom case is known. Sadly too many BoI customers put too much faith in the FOS.
.

Fed Up Landlord

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18:06 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Well Mark are you tempted to say " I told you so"

Unfortunately too few of us sent our £150 initial fees and £500 additional fighting fund fee. I did and became frustrated with those that did not. Now having seen what's happened I will "wait and see now" on the West Brom case before I part with any more money.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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18:14 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "27/10/2014 - 18:06":

I share your frustrations Gary, I put my heart and soul into this campaign for no personal gain whatsoever, save for making some very good new friends of course.

I do t blame you for waiting, that's what I'm doing too but if somebody else wants to pick up the gauntlet I wish them all the luck in the world and I will be happy to join forces with them when I believe the time is right to do so.

In answer you your question, yes I really do want to say "I told you so" to all the fence sitters and all those with misplaced belief in the FOS granting them salvation.
.

Fed Up Landlord

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18:28 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Mark the other "contributors" and myself are very grateful for all your efforts on this and the West Brom case. As you say its a shame that the BOI case has ground to a halt. But all is not yet lost. If the WB Campaign wins thèn just watch the fence sitters pile in. We all want to back a sure fire winner but sometimes you have to stand out from the crowd and have the courage of your convictions. I still cannot fathom the logic. I am paying £1800 a year extra. I put in £650 with a chance of getting my "overpayments" back. In the scheme of things as landlords £650 is a months rent.Very, Very sad.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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18:34 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gary Nock" at "27/10/2014 - 18:28":

Indeed Gary but I am fortunate to have made so many friends with supporters regardless of the final outcome.
.

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18:49 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Which magazine( legal team) are interested to see what the FOS final say is .I was not aware a West Brom case was in hand until i read it on this blog, so i was not waiting for an outcome , just waiting for FOS to reply to the situation . FOS would not tell me if any other banks took same action as BOI - told me to find out for myself . So you are right Mark - the FOS will not be a support in this case . Its my adjudicator who says he will not be recommending further action against BOI but i will be saying that i do not agree with his recommendation until i see BOI balance sheets as the proportional increase cannot be validated, so that in itself is unfair to the consumer ! other argument is hidden information and no alternative to switch if earnings have changed and interest only products withdrawn . Trapped is the word! with regards to comment on fence sitters - if you don't know about this blog you cant act !

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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19:05 PM, 27th October 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "MADOONA G" at "27/10/2014 - 18:49":

I agree, but we did publicise it very widely and it was in all the National papers and even on the BBC.

We have a barristers and a QC's opinion which puts this as close to being a slam dunk case as any self respecting barrister will ever give. There are many, many, many reasons the BoI will fall over if they go to Court. If you read through this thread you will see that an Insolvency Practitioner called Paul Brindley called their bluff by advising one of his clients only to pay the agreed rate. His client did so, BoI commenced repossession action and Paul lodged his defence of behalf of his client - it was based purely on BoI's balance sheet. BoI backed off. Why do you think they did that?
.

Darrell G

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10:50 AM, 3rd November 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi Mark,

I posted a comment 23rd Oct & not really had any feedback other than Gary's comments. Ive emailed Justin directly but not heard back.

Thoughts.....anyone?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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10:57 AM, 3rd November 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Darrell G" at "03/11/2014 - 10:50":

Hi Darrell

Justin is active, I was cc'd into an email sent by him to Gary this weekend.

Given that I was only cc'd I don't feel at liberty to share the detail but Gary can of course.
.

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