FSA may expose complaints against worst performing companies

The FSA has announced it is considering using league tables of poor service and publishing the number of complaints banks and financial services companies receive.
The regulator says it would only publish details of the worst performing companies, but the information would include how many complaints had been made, how long they took to resolve and [...]

Mortgage details found in street

Documents containing names and mortgage details of Leed’s customers have been found on a Belfast city centre street.
The BBC uncovered the blunder and claims the details were found by a group of youngsters waiting for a taxi at 2am.
The mutual says it is not possible to identify specific individuals from the papers, but an investigation [...]

Abbey expands access to exclusive products

Abbey for Intermediaries has extended the number of brokers who have access to its range of exclusive products, as well as raising the LTV offered on these products.
Seven more mortgage partners have been given access to the lender’s exclusive range including Mortgage Intelligence, Network Data, Openwork, Personal Touch Financial Services, Pink Home Loans, Premier Mortgage [...]

Ombudsman reports 30% rise in complaints

Consumer complaints have risen by 30% in the last financial year, according to figures from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Overall, the FOS dealt with 123,089 new complaints, reversing the decline seen during the previous year.
Many of the disputes were over bank overdraft charges and payment protection insurance (PPI), while half of all complaints were [...]

New flexible protection deal from LV=

Protection firm LV= has launched its Mortgage & Lifestyle Protection product.
The new product covers disability claims that can pay out until the end of the plan term; guaranteed premiums, even for the unemployment cover; and all disability definitions based on ‘own occupation’ when the plan starts.
The new LV= tailored protection plan can offer protection against [...]

more 2 life expands offering with home reversion plan

Equity release provider more 2 life has embarked upon a partnership deal with Living Plus Ltd, to provide a home reversion product to sit alongside its existing lifetime mortgage offering.
Paul Wilson, managing director, more 2 life, said: “Through the expansion of our product range, we are now able to offer customers a highly competitive choice [...]

Home Buyer Systems offers TCF monitoring platform

Home Buyer Systems has launched a monitoring system for senior management to control TCF within their businesses. It covers all areas where firms need to prove that they have delivered TCF before, during and after the mortgage and/or general insurance sales.
It consists of an automated diary system that prompts all necessary actions and flags up [...]

BDS Mortgage Group ARs get online training solution

The BDS Mortgage Group has unveiled an online e-learning system for its appointed representative (AR) members.
Over recent months BDS has worked in partnership with Absolutely Training to develop an e-learning solution for members of the BDS network. The system is designed to enable users to fulfil their regulatory obligations through a series of online courses, [...]

Praxis teams up with Goldsmith Williams

Direct conveyancing firm Goldsmith Williams is making its specialist services, which include GW Live and a seven-day remortgage guarantee, available via packager Praxis Mortgages.
Andy Milburn, head of marketing at Goldsmith Williams, said: “We’re delighted to have teamed up with Praxis Mortgages to offer their brokers specialist conveyancing support. They are guaranteed a fast and efficient [...]

New builds less popular than renovations

According to Yorkshire Bank’s quarterly Housebuyers survey, more than half of UK homeowners would be prepared to buy an older house in need of repair in their pursuit of the “perfect” property.
52% of homeowners said they would be prepared to put in some hard graft in order to get the home of their dreams.
The research [...]