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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Richard Kent

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20:06 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

@Gavin,

When you make a point it must be made on an educated and well informed basis, otherwise forum members will ignore you at the very least.

For example when you consider making comments about mortgages in this context you should consider not only the direct facts but also other influencing factors which might affect affordability of a particular borrower:

1. Fuel costs and the impact on a persons budget and affordability
2. Job losses and redundancy issues
3. Lack of equity in a property due to seen/unforeseen market conditions
4. That the BOI have been bailed out by the UK tax payer

These are a few of the factors involved here and the BOI is hiking rates to a high level at a time when it is difficult enough for many borrowers.

No one is asking for a free ride here with the BOI. However, these are real people with real difficulties.

Denise Donovan

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20:48 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

Bank of Ireland were not bailed out by the UK tax payer..... the Irish tax payer would be delighted if they had.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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20:58 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

Suggested initial complaint letter to the Bank of Ireland

Re: Account Number ????????

Your reference: ?????

BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Dear Sirs

Further to your letter dated XX February 2013 I would like you to open an official complaint file in respect of the above account.

I object to the content of your letter for a number of reasons and I am seeking professional advice prior to confirming my legal argument.

Please acknowledge in writing that my complaint has been filed and recorded in accordance with your official complaints procedure.

Yours faithfully

Richard Kent

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21:23 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

@Denise2007,

Please do your research before.....

£73bn of funds, some of which were from the UK

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8165146/Irish-fury-as-EU-nationalises-Bank-of-Ireland.html

Richard Kent

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21:23 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

@Denise2007,

Please do your research.....

£73bn of funds, some of which were from the UK

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8165146/Irish-fury-as-EU-nationalises-Bank-of-Ireland.html

Denise Donovan

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21:52 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

Richard Kent,

No need for the comment re research.

http://www.moneyguideireland.com/bank-of-ireland-uk-raising-tracker-mortgages.html

The Irish tax payer is currently paying back funds borrowed by the Irish government from the ECB. There is a lot of anger in Ireland at this .... The UK tax payer is not paying this.

Richard Kent

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22:06 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

@Denise2007
The original point was about the bailout and not whether there was an attempt to pay it back.

Please see here regarding the Irish bailout from 2010......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11807769

I have no further comments to make as this discussion is about interest hike by the BOI.

Denise Donovan

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22:21 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

You originally gave an amount of 79bn as bailout, second link gives 7bn.... Do your own research....

I am actually affected by this increase, I hope some other posters can give accurate and correct advice with accurate research.

Peter Shillcock

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22:22 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

I have also had letter , have written complaint to bank and enclosed adverts from post office which are offering mortgages at rate of 2.74 % fixed for 5 years - Why if they need to increase margins !
Peter S

Richard Kent

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22:30 PM, 4th March 2013, About 12 years ago

@Denise2007

Please look at Mark Alexander's comments and you will see a standard draft letter to send to the BOI

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