Open day for mortgage seekers

Mortgage figures released by Northern Bank reveal a dramatic 39 per cent increase in the level of mortgages it approved in 2011, in spite of ongoing negative sentiment that the mortgage market has come to a standstill.

Over half of the Bank’s new to bank mortgages went to first time buyers in Northern Ireland.

Northern Bank approved more than £5.5 million of mortgage funds to customers in the Banbridge and Dromore 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 Billy Gillis, Branch Manager at Northern Bank’s Banbridge 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 Banbridge and Dromore 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.”

Branch Manager Patricia Rooney said, “We are committed to making the mortgage process straightforward for new and existing customers. Anyone interested in finding out what we can offer is very welcome to come along to our Mortgage Open Day and chat to the team without the need to make an appointment.”