£10 million in mortgage funds released in Ballymena says Northern Bank

Northern Bank approved almost £10 million of mortgage funds to customers in the Ballymena area seeking to build, move home or buy for the first time, including customers switching their mortgage to Northern Bank from another financial institution.

According to Carol Wilson, Senior Branch Manager at Northern Bank’s Ballymena branch, the trend is set to continue in 2012.

“We are very much open for mortgage business and, having already seen further growth in the number of mortgage offers we have made this year compared to the same period last year, I am confident that last year’s positive trend will continue this year.

“There is clearly still an appetite for mortgage lending from new and existing customers in the Ballymena area, and our figures for the past year demonstrate our willingness to lend to people who are seeking to buy for the first time, move house or even build, pending affordability and circumstances.

“With over 50 per cent of total new to bank mortgages last year going to first time buyers, we have a very strong proposition for customers looking to buy their first home. And as one of the few mortgage providers to offer first time buyers up to 95% loan to value, we are continuing to support the local housing market.

“We are also experiencing a growth in demand from customers who are seeking to save money by switching their mortgage to Northern Bank from their current mortgage provider. In these difficult economic times it is clear that customers see an opportunity to save money by switching mortgage provider.

“Our new mortgage deal meanwhile will see arrangement fees slashed from £999 to £500 and, for a customer who both mandates their salary to Northern Bank and takes one of our selected current accounts, no arrangement fee will apply.”

Carol reaffirmed Northern Bank’s strong commitment to making the mortgage process straightforward for new and existing customers, saying: “As consumer habits continue to evolve, so too does the mortgage service that we provide at Northern Bank.

“We believe that banking should fit in around our customers’ lifestyles and not the other way round, and this was reflected by a marked increase last year in the number of people applying for their mortgage at a time that suited them using our telephone service. Trained mortgage advisors are available over the phone between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and 9am until 1pm on Saturdays, making it another convenient option for those with busy lifestyles.”

More information about the range of mortgage products and services is available from any branch of Northern Bank or over the phone on 0800 389 0833.