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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20:52 PM, 21st May 2013, About 11 years ago

I'm a residential customer affected by this rate rise and have been following this thread with interest. I have already complained to BOI and had then usual rejection. The basis of my argument was that I have numerous correspondence from the bank from around 2008 when we used the drawdown facility of our tracker. The letters in question clearly states that the interest charged for the term of the mortgage will be 1.2% + BOE rate, I'm going to ring the bank tomorrow to see if the letters I have received in the past are the 'specific administrative' letters in question.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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21:44 PM, 21st May 2013, About 11 years ago

Maybe tomorrow when the posties have had an opportunity to deliver them? I believe they were only posted today

ian

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21:56 PM, 21st May 2013, About 11 years ago

Hi Mark according to the artical on M Lewes web page they received it before, but could be an error on there part ?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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22:02 PM, 21st May 2013, About 11 years ago

The Press Release was dated today which is why I assumed the letters would be sent today, I don't know for sure when they were sent. What I do know is that we need to get hold of a copy of one

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22:23 PM, 21st May 2013, About 11 years ago

Justin, sent an email to Jemma on 12th May with all the requested details for the class action, and paid the £120 into the Law Dept account. Can you confirm these have been received and if there is anything else you need. Thanks

Terry Donohue

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23:39 PM, 21st May 2013, About 11 years ago

Wonder if these 'letters' have a confidentiality clause to prevent it appearing on this website? Come on landlords, put your hand in your pocket and lets get justice for us all. United we stand, divided the BOI laugh and win

ian

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9:14 AM, 22nd May 2013, About 11 years ago

The BoI has to show its saveing money they,ve sent them second class. LOL

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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9:20 AM, 22nd May 2013, About 11 years ago

@Ian - were you making a joke or have you actually received one?

ian

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9:27 AM, 22nd May 2013, About 11 years ago

Sorry Mark joke sould of worded it differently

christine in Hull

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10:41 AM, 22nd May 2013, About 11 years ago

I found this forum a few days ago. I would like to thank members for their supportive posts/comments. I contacted BOI yesterday re my flexi mortgage.. They confirmed they will be reversing my interest rate back to 2.25% and will refund my increase payment I made. However, they make me very angry when they say the FSO said they could increase my differential rate. Can I expect an apology now from the FSO for the stress caused.and the inconvenience of cancelling 3 building insurance policies to fund the increase.

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