Press Office

Network and mortgage club Mortgage Intelligence has selected Mortgage Brain’s Criteria Hub as its preferred criteria based sourcing solution for its appointed representatives (ARs) and directly authorised (DA) members.

Criteria Hub uses technology to help advisers quickly and efficiently match the needs of the consumer with those of the lenders.

As part of the agreement, network and mortgage club advisers will now be able to use Criteria Hub alongside Mortgage Brain’s online and offline sourcing systems, and The Key, its point-of-sale and CRM system, as part of a complete, end-to-end mortgage sourcing solution.

Sally Laker, managing director at Mortgage Intelligence, said: “We’ve had a really strong relationship with Mortgage Brain over a number of years and this new addition to its proposition demonstrates its understanding and vision in the mortgage advice market.

“Like us, Mortgage Brain is committed to driving forward technology initiatives and solutions that deliver business benefits that make a real difference to mortgage advisers, lenders and customers alike.

“With the addition of Criteria Hub, our appointed representatives and directly authorised members now have access to a complete and in-depth mortgage sourcing proposition and can offer their customers a more integrated, end-to-end mortgage advice process.”

Network, Mortgage Intelligence and club, Next Intelligence, has added The Mortgage Lender to its panel.

The appointment gives more than 400 network advisers and all mortgage club members access to The Mortgage Lender’s residential and buy-to-let products.

Sally Laker, Bournemouth-based Mortgage Intelligence managing director, said: “We’ve seen what The Mortgage Lender is offering in the market and wanted to be able to access their products.

 “We’re delighted to confirm our partnership and excited about real life lending and how it will help our advisers and their customers.”

Peter Beaumont (pictured), The Mortgage Lender deputy chief executive, added: “Mortgage Intelligence is one of the best know names in the industry and an important distribution partner for The Mortgage Lender.

“We are looking forward to working in partnership to help more borrowers with real life lending requirements live in the home they want to.”

Together has partnered with the mortgage network, Mortgage Intelligence, to offer its products to members.

Mortgage Intelligence will make Together’s range of buy-to-let and first charge residential products available to both network and club advisers.

John Truswell, head of national accounts at Together, said: “We’re delighted to be widening our distribution to Mortgage Intelligence’s members, so that even more advisers have access to our specialist offering.

“We’re looking forward to forging strong partnerships with their members, to help their customers, who may have unusual or complicated cases, access the funding they need.

“As a business that has been established for 44 years, we have a wealth of knowledge about the market. We use a common-sense approach to our lending decisions, and take into account the individual circumstances of each borrower.”

Mortgage Intelligence members will now have access to Together’s online portal, My Broker Venue, where they can submit cases and receive a full, instant, decision-in-principle. There is also personal support on hand at all times from the lender’s team of experts.

Sally Laker, managing director of Mortgage Intelligence, said: “We are delighted to have Together on board and we are excited to be able to offer their products and specialist criteria to our brokers and their clients.

“We’re always looking to grow our comprehensive list of panel lenders and ensure our mortgage proposition is reflective the changing needs of customers and the market in general.

“Together have expertise in areas that our brokers will really appreciate and we’re really looking forward to working closely with them.”

Together can assist in cases ranging from mortgages for self-employed customers, or those with complex income streams, those wanting to borrow on an unusual property or with adverse credit.

Mortgage Intelligence has selected general insurance provider Berkeley Alexander to offer its services to its network members.

The deal will give the network’s ARs access to a broader range of general insurance products and a new introduction service on standard, non-standard and commercial policies.

Berkeley Alexander will join forces with Paymentshield to work closely with Mortgage Intelligence to ensure a seamless general insurance proposition for the network’s advisers. This will provide cover for standard risks and non-standard household insurance, landlord buy-to-let and commercial risks.

Sally Laker, managing director, Mortgage Intelligence, said: “Berkeley Alexander have access to an impressive range of products from a host of leading insurers on their panel, and they have expertise in niche sectors for those more ‘difficult to place’ risks.

“This, together with an excellent referral service which allows intermediaries to still receive a competitive commission even if not placing the business directly, makes them an excellent partner for our members as they look to grow their business in an ever increasingly competitive market.”

Berkeley Alexander has worked with Mortgage Intelligence since 2012, providing niche and non-standard general insurance services to various parts of the network, and this latest service launch represents a further strengthening of the partnership.

Geoff Hall, managing director at Berkeley Alexander, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our relationship with Mortgage Intelligence.  We offer a large panel in both standard and non-standard markets.

“What really makes us stand out from the crowd though, and the reason why we can add real value to ARs, is our unique ability to combine both swift and efficient online distribution with the traditional approach of speaking directly to insurers to ensure we get the very best cover for even the most complex or unusual risks at the most competitive premium.

“We look forward to working with Mortgage Intelligence members to help them deliver added value for their clients.”

Monmouthshire Building Society (MBS) has become the latest addition to Mortgage Intelligence’s lending panel.The new partnership will see Network members given access to the Society’s comprehensive product range.

Managing Director Sally Laker commented on the new partnership: “We are very excited to be now working with Monmouthshire Building Society. Their flexible approach and the addition of their extensive product range will no doubt be well received by advisers.”

Colin Strong, Head of Broker Sales at Monmouthshire Building Society, said: “This invigorating new relationship with Mortgage Intelligence enables the Society to extend distribution to a wider network of brokers who can offer their clients our broad range of products.”

The Society will now be working with Mortgage Intelligence to raise awareness of their products and the criteria available to brokers. MBS promises advisers flexible underwriting, access to underwriters prior to submission and the support of a dedicated broker helpdesk.

Saffron for Intermediaries, the dedicated intermediary channel of Saffron Building Society, is making its full range of mortgage products available via Mortgage Intelligence.

Anita Arch, Head of Mortgage Sales at Saffron, said: “We’re delighted to be joining Mortgage Intelligence’s lender panel and are looking forward to supporting their Appointed Representatives and Directly Authorised members over the coming months. Not only will their brokers have full access to our Special Situations, Everyday residential mortgages and buy-to-let deals, but they will also benefit from our personal approach to underwriting.”

Brokers can submit a DIP and a full mortgage application via Saffron’s website based mortgage portal. Members of Mortgage Intelligence network who require further information or help can contact Debby Tedder, Business Development Manager, on 01799 582925 or by sending an e-mail to: deborah.tedder@saffronbs.co.uk

Sally Laker, Managing Director at Mortgage Intelligence, said: “Saffron for Intermediaries not only has competitive residential deals for straightforward cases, but also products specifically designed for borrowers with special requirements such as the self-employed, contractors, self-builders and landlords wanting to buy property for refurbishment before being let out.

“I have no doubt that both our Network and Next Intelligence mortgage club members will welcome Saffron as a very useful addition to our lender panel.”

**ends**

Journalists requiring further information can contact:

Josh Cooper, Cooper Consultants Ltd Office: 01654 767711
josh@cooper-consultants.co.uk Mobile: 07768 355265

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Saffron Building Society

Saffron Building Society was established in 1849 by the Reverend John Marten, who was Minister of the Hill Street Baptist Church and Manager of the local gas company. From such humble beginnings the mutual Society has successfully grown to manage assets of over £1 billion.

Saffron Building Society is the largest regional building society serving the East of England, with 11 branches and 1 agency. The society has served the needs of the local community for over 165 years and is committed to doing so in the future.

A mutual organisation, Saffron Building Society is owned by its 90,000 members and exists solely for their benefit.

The Society employs more than 160 staff across East Anglia, who understand local customers’ needs and provide value for money products backed-up by a professional and reliable service.

Saffron for Intermediaries is the Society’s dedicated broker lending channel. Further information about the products and services available for brokers can be found at: www.saffronforintermediaries.co.uk

Editors’ notes:
To arrange interviews and find out more, please contact:
Sally Laker
Managing Director
Mortgage Intelligence Holdings
Tel: 01202 312955
Email: slaker@experiencemi.co.uk

Nadia Mahmud
Head of External Communications & Investor Relations
Mobile: 07721 439043
Email: press.office@countrywide.co.uk

About Mortgage Intelligence Holdings: Mortgage Intelligence Holdings was acquired by Countrywide in April 2011, the UK’s largest mortgage broker and property services Group. The following brands operate under Mortgage Intelligence Holdings.

Mortgage Intelligence and Mortgage Next: Established in 1996, Mortgage Intelligence, which merged with Mortgage Next in 2009, has become one of the UK’s leading mortgage networks. They offer award winning mortgage and insurance services to over 400 appointed representatives. Both networks focus on high quality of service and support offered to their intermediaries.

FYB Network: Mortgage Intelligence Holdings acquired Life and Easy trading as FYB Network in July 2012. FYB’s brand will join the Mortgage Intelligence and Mortgage Next brands under the umbrella of Mortgage Intelligence Holdings Ltd. They have over 50 advisers and offer both mortgages and insurance services. They were originally founded in 2004 and became a fully authorised network in May 2007.

Next Intelligence: Next Intelligence launched in April 2011 and brought together Mortgage Intelligence and Mortgage Next’s directly authorised clubs. They offer premium brokers services to over 5000 mortgage intermediaries including mortgages, general insurance and a new protection panel which was launched in September 2011.
For further information any of the above brands please visit www.experiencemi.co.uk.

Mortgage Intelligence network have today announced a revitalised and exciting new protection proposition, available to both Appointed Representatives and Directly Authorised members of their club Next Intelligence.

The new offering includes two brand new protection panel options: Whole of Market and PRIME. These new panels are designed to deliver not just competitive commission rates for advisers, but a host of comprehensive product options as well.

To ensure their new offering best fits the current market, the Network is excited to announce that these panels include a number of new specialist Income Protection Providers, plus some new entrants into the protection market.

Building on the launch of the new panels, Mortgage Intelligence has now also partnered with iPipeline to provide advisers with SolutionBuilder®. This intelligent quote-and-apply system compares protection needs easily, all within a simple and responsive interface. As part of a complete service, SolutionBuilder supports both single and multi-benefit products to help advisers identify the right solution for their client’s needs and budget.

Sally Laker, managing director of Mortgage Intelligence, was delighted to comment on the new offering: “A key part of our strategy for 2017 is making it easier for advisers to ensure their clients are suitably protected. We feel the introduction of our new protection panels alongside SolutionBuilder, will enable both Appointed Representatives and Directly Authorised members the opportunity to provide innovative solutions based on their client’s needs and budget.”

Paul Yates, product strategy director at iPipeline said: “We love working with forward-thinking firms such as Mortgage Intelligence. They are committed to growing the protection market and delivering the best possible client outcomes. iPipeline has a proven track record of helping advisers to improve the range and level of protection policies written for their customers. Mortgage Intelligence is investing in the best possible tools and support to ensure their advisers deliver an unparalleled proposition for protection.”

Building on an already successful year for protection in 2016, Mortgage Intelligence are committed to providing advisers with the right panels, the best software and the high standard of service they need to protect clients even further in 2017.

Ends

Editors’ notes:

To arrange interviews and find out more, please contact:

Sally Laker
Managing Director
Mortgage Intelligence Holdings

Lisa Ramsay
Group Press Office Manager
Mobile: 07721 439043
Email: press.office@countrywide.co.uk

Media Enquiries
Jenny Burt, Marketing Manager, 01242 211726, jburt@ipipeline.com

About iPipeline UK
iPipeline UK is a leading provider of business intelligence, e-quote, e-application, policy delivery, and policy holder services to the UK life and pensions market. iPipeline offers the UK’s broadest range of integrated and licensed solutions used by leading providers, distributors, and their IFAs via their Websites or CRM systems. To learn how you can better use iPipeline’s industry-leading solutions to streamline and accelerate your business activities, visit us at www.ipipeline.com/uk.

When The Who sang about My Generation it became a symbol of teenage angst. Released in 1965, “their generation” experienced the gaining popularity of the cassette recorder, could buy a loaf of bread for 9p (1970) and the average first time home owner in the 1960s was just 23, rising to 26 in 1974.

Today we are streaming our music, buying bread at over £1 and getting on the housing ladder at the age of 30. Not so much My Generation, as Generation Rent – over the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in those aged 25-34 within the private rental sector: 46% in 2014-15, compared with 24% in 2004-5.

How can we help aspiring home owners?

At Ipswich Building Society we’ve long supported initiatives such as Shared Ownership to help first time buyers get on the housing ladder, and rely on our experienced manual underwriters to help borrowers with increasingly different, and complex, lending situations. The days of ‘2.4’ and ‘9-5’ have given way to those who are borrowing later in life; are self employed; are divorced with income through child maintenance; and those who want to build their own home.

In particular shared ownership is increasingly seen as a practical and flexible alternative to a traditional mortgage, with the difficultly of saving for a deposit against the scenario of rising house prices.

Shared ownership isn’t all we do. But it’s a great place to start. So, if you’ve got clients who are looking to get on the housing ladder talk to us.

Ipswich Building Society shared ownership lending criteria:
• We lend up to 95% LTV on houses and flats
• Must have ability to staircase to 100%
• Minimum share 50% – please refer if lower
• New build acceptable
• Open Market shared ownership considered on scheme by scheme basis
• No credit score
• Manual underwrite

Christmas is coming…

…and so are the bills to pay for it. I hate to sound like a humbug, but the reality is that Christmas places a big burden on many households’ budgets. A survey recently undertaken by OnePoll on behalf of Nationwide, reveals that on average Brits spend almost half (44%) of their monthly salary on Christmas, with some spending considerably more. In Northern Ireland, for example, families spend 67% of their monthly salary on Christmas and in the North East the figure is 56%.

And its not a simple matter of spending reflecting the North / South divide. In the North East, the amount spent on Christmas gifts for kids is £207, whereas in the leafy suburbs of the South East of England, it’s a much lower £121.

Christmas comes full of temptations to spend, spend, spend but when the time comes to take down the Christmas decorations, the truth of Christmas can become all too apparent as the credit card bills hit the doormat.

According to The Money Charity, the total credit card debt in the UK is already (Sept 2016) a staggering £65.7bn, which works out at an average of £2,434 per household. If borrowers repaid only the minimum repayment each month, it would take more than 25 years for them to clear their debt.

Yes, we need households to spend in order for the economy to remain strong, but there is a fine balance between spending our way to recovery and spending our way into trouble. And, as a nation, we’re good at spending. For example, in July this year 40 million plastic card transactions were made with a total value of £1.74bn.

The consequence for some is that their finances run out of control. The Citizens Advice Bureaux typically deal with more than 4,000 new debt problems every day and more than 2,000 CCJs are issued every day with an average value of £2,030.

It does make difficult reading as we approach the festive season, but it’s nonetheless a significant issue for some. And, of course, unsecured debt can have a knock-on effect with other finances. Making mortgage payments can often be put into jeopardy if borrowers are juggling their money to repay other debts.

But, like Dickens Christmas Carol, let me give this sorry story a happy ending. Most people do resolve their debt problems and learn to become better at managing their finances as a result. And an impaired credit record doesn’t necessarily mean being cast into the financial wilderness forever.

If borrowers can explain why they got into difficulties and show that they have regained control of their finances, then an historical credit record should not necessarily hold them back. Lenders such as Magellan will consider deserving cases. Arrears, CCJs and other debt issues may stay on a credit record for up to six years, but that doesn’t mean borrowers have to wait until that six-year period is up before they are able to access credit once again.

I do hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

As 2016 is the year of surprises, Brexit, Donald Trump and Leicester City, what could we expect from the autumn statement?

Although no ‘bold statements’ or shock moves this time round overall good news for the Mortgage Industry, arguably the first in considerable time to try to seriously address housing shortages, Philip Hammond has been described as the ‘the listening chancellor’, it’s clear that he has an aim to get Britain Building across a cross section of society and not just the fortunate few.
So what is in it for the Mortgage Industry? A few notable areas, Philip Hammond did announce that there would be an extra £3.7bn for housing projects which were not aimed directly at first time buyers but with most of that being affordable housing it is likely to benefit them.

The chancellor pledged a £2.3bn housing infrastructure fund to provide 100,000 new homes in high demand areas. Alongside £1.4bn to deliver 40,000 additional affordable homes and rent to buy details still to be finalised. New Build focussed lenders such as ourselves will be watching this closely and be keen to react to broker and consumer behaviour giving us great opportunity in the coming months and years.

Despite some pressures from the industry over stamp duty there was no mention of the tax which considering this still remains a substantial barrier to homeownership (research has suggested up to 60% of potential homeowners would be more likely to buy if they didn’t have stamp duty or upfront costs).

It is clear from discussions amongst affordable and first time buyer developers that supply is nowhere close to demand. However, change has been alluded to for some time and I feel more optimistic that this time change will come……