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

Text Size

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?


Share This Article


Comments

Colin Childs

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

22:40 PM, 4th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "John Smith" at "04/10/2013 - 17:44":

Why does 2.5% seem high?

Investors can earn 3.25% on Government gilts (up from 2.5% in July).

So the cost of funding mortgage lending is rising as well.

mrs sharp

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

23:05 PM, 4th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Bank of Ireland has confirmed it has lowered the interest rate for customers who have moved to split mortgages.

Customers will now be charged 2.5% on the warehoused portion of the loan.

During Oireachtas hearings last month, it emerged that the bank charged interest on the full mortgage amount, unlike other banks like Permanent TSB and AIB.

The bank had said it had to remain profitable.

But Bank of Ireland today confirmed that interest for the warehoused portion would be at 2.5%, the rate the bank currently borrows funds.

More http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1004/478357-boi-split-mortgage/

Gayle Jones

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

8:29 AM, 5th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Hi Mark,

I have joined the class action for WB but also have a BOI mortgage. I didn't join the initial class action because like thousands of others I didn't know about it. I did however phone my broker, which I'm certain absolutely everybody would have done, so i think contacting them is a brilliant idea! So sorry if you've covered this earlier but what would you like us to now with regards to BOI, are we still fighting this and if so what steps do we take now. Is Justin involved does he want the paper work and a cheque of £240, with the West Brom stuff?
Thanks Gayle

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

10:53 AM, 5th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Gayle Jones" at "05/10/2013 - 08:29":

Hi Gayle

Justin is still beavering away in the background on the BoI case, unpaid at moment I might add as the committed funds are exhausted.

We have suspended new applications to join the Class Action against BoI for the moment pending the marketing push to raise awareness. When we have re-grouped and we feel the time is right we will launch a new strategy with new pricing to become involved. All those who have contributed to date will be invited to continue to participate and their contribution will be net of any contributions made to date.

I will continue to add more updates as and when I know more. In the meantime, we have launched a marketing fund to raise awareness and we are busy fund raising. Please see the link below.

ian

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

13:24 PM, 5th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Hi Mark

Mr & Mrs furgus & Judith Wilson known as the King & Queen of BTLs they have over 700 properties down here in Ashford & Maidstone Kent.

Do you think it would be worthwhile sending them a letter ? if so there contact is as follows.

JWIPB LTD
Po Box 375
Twickenham
TW1 9EB.

Email info@jwipb.co.uk

ian

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

11:59 AM, 6th October 2013, About 11 years ago

If WB are allowed to target mortgages after 2004 what,s stopping BoI doing the same ? That may kick start a court action ?

Fed Up Landlord

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

12:08 PM, 6th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "ian " at "06/10/2013 - 11:59":

Hi Ian - my post 2004 BOI Mortgages do NOT contain the killer differential clause. So that is probably why.

Terry Donohue

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

17:37 PM, 7th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "04/10/2013 - 09:14":

Hi Mark, re your good idea to write to the Mortgage Brokers to make contact with affected borrowers. Why use snail mail when email is fast and free?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

18:16 PM, 7th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Terry Donohue" at "07/10/2013 - 17:37":

Hi Terry

It is not easy to obtain a clean email list of active mortgage brokers. Also, open rates of cold emails are 10% at best, click through rates are a fraction of that. The purpose of going “old school” on this occasion is the 100% delivery rate and the haunting effect of a physical letter.

You get what you pay for.

I can assure you we did consider email. We have been in the eMarketing business for over 20 years and we are also very closely affiliated to Google as one of their News feeds so we do have quite a lot of experience in this area. My former business was a mortgage brokerage which ranked #38 in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 when I retired, it was built from scratch on the back of internet marketing predominantly but we did use more traditional marketing mediums and content delivery methods too.
.

Terry Donohue

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

18:25 PM, 7th October 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "07/10/2013 - 18:16":

OK Mark, I take note of your marketing experience. We have to try to make a stand against this robbery from the banks & bld. soc's. I will send the funds and lets hope you achieve many more outraged borrowers to join us.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now