“Nationwide also launched a further borrowing product exclusively available to customers wanting to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, called Green Additional Borrowing.”
Finally, as part of its plans to further improve its services, Nationwide has also introduced products that allow borrowers to overpay up to 10 per cent of their mortgage every year without incurring an early repayment charge.
This enables borrowers to repay their mortgage earlier than previously planned.
The Mortgage WorksNew initiatives smooth the way
The Mortgage Works has launched a number of initiatives to make the process smoother for both intermediaries and landlords, according to Henry Jordan, the lender’s managing director.
As a subsidiary of Nationwide Building Society, The Mortgage Works has more than 20 years’ experience in the market, with its products available through professional mortgage intermediaries.
Mr Jordan said: “As well as offering specialist mortgages, we offer a range of guarantor products, exclusive to intermediaries and designed to complement the range of products available through Nationwide.”
This year has been successful for the provider following the launch of a number of new initiatives, including a new guide clarifying the information needed.
Mr Jordan said it had become the first mainstream buy-to-let lender to enable borrowers to offer tenants the options of a longer-term contract of up to three years.
He added: “We also produced our independent landlord guide, providing clients with essential information on being a landlord.”
NatWest Intermediary SolutionsTechnology boost for service Since the launch of NatWest Intermediary Solutions in early 2010 the firm has focused on a programme of incremental improvements to its service proposition.
Head of mortgages Graham Felstead said: “The service enhancements have had a positive impact on the brokers we deal with, evidenced by the year-on-year improvements we have received for our service in these awards from three-star to five-star in just four years.”
While Mr Felstead maintained that service has always been NatWest Intermediary Solutions’ number one priority, he said this year it has been further improved by the appointment of a dedicated service development manager.
He said: “One of the key features of our approach is the way we harness the best in technology.
“A good example of this is the pioneering use of instant messaging as a mainstream broker contact channel through our LiveTALK service. Due to its popularity we have extended the opening hours.”
AldermoreHelping customers denied loans
This has been another excellent year for Aldermore as its personal service continues to attract new customers, according to the lender’s managing director for residential mortgages.
Charles Haresnape said Aldermore insists that banking should not be difficult and takes a different approach to lending compared with other high-street lenders.
He said: “We believe that getting a mortgage shouldn’t be about ticking every box and that our customers are real people, not banking stereotypes.
