The ninth annual Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards were held on 6 November at the
The first nine awards are based on nominations by readers. These nominations are then shortlisted by a panel of judges who between them choose the winners.
This year’s judges were: Bernard Clarke of the Council of Mortgage Lenders; Diana Wright of the Sunday Times; Ben Wilkie, Editor of What Mortgage; and Joanne Atkin, Editor of Mortgage Finance Gazette.
Some of the award categories are divided into two: Medium to Large Lenders; and Smaller Lenders. Medium to Large Lenders is the top 25 lenders by size according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
The four remaining awards are for product providers. Financial research company Defaqto compiled the winners and finalists using a variety of analytical data.
For the Best Lifetime Mortgage Provider and Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Provider Defaqto took into account a mix of interest rates, loan-to-values, fees, plus features and options.
The criteria for the Best Insurance Provider was based on price and cover.
For Best Overall Lender, Defaqto looked at the competitive positions of the provider offerings taking into account a mix of mortgages available for house purchase, first time buyers and remortgage; using a variety of fixed, discounted and tracker mortgages; as well as loan-to-values, application fees and no tie-ins beyond the initial rate period.
Congratulations to the winners and runners up….
Excellence in Treating Customers Fairly - Mortgage Lenders
Winner
Newbury Building Society for its “Thinking Like Customers” personal development programme, developed in-house by Newbury staff working together using six key business commitments.
Runners up
Excellence in Treating Customers Fairly - Financial Providers
Winner
British Insurance for working tirelessly to revive the flagging reputation of payment protection insurance, for speaking out against mis-selling and lobbying providers to reduce premiums so products are more affordable to a wider customer base.
Runner up
AToM – mortgage packager All Types of Mortgages was nominated by a number of brokers for doing a fantastic job and placing mortgage business for them during a difficult year.
Community Services Award - Medium to Large
Winner
HSBC for its very successful financial education project “What Money Means”, which helps to improve financial capability of children in primary schools all over the country.
Runners up
Leeds Building Society for its very active Charitable Foundation and numerous initiatives the Society undertakes all year round.
Community Services Award - Smaller Lenders
Winner
Darlington Building Society for its heavy involvement in the local community and helping 160 good causes in the last 12 months.
Runners up
First Direct. First Direct has worked hard on various fundraising initiatives and last year raised £200,000 for charities.
Innovator of the Year – Medium to Large Lenders
Winner
HSBC for its Rate Matcher mortgage, which guarantees to match the fixed interest rate that customers were paying before rolling off their existing mortgage deal
Runners up
Innovator of the Year – Smaller Lenders
Winner
Runners up
Best Debt and Arrears Management Strategy
Yorkshire Building Society for a detailed strategy starting with a focus on contacting customers as early as possible to discuss payment difficulties and agree solutions.
Editor’s Award
Cumberland Building Society for very worthwhile nominations in two categories: Treating Customers Fairly with its concept of treating customers as you would your mother; and Innovation - being the smallest financial institution in the
Ambassador Award
John Goodfellow, Chief Executive of
This Award recognises diplomatic and spokesman skills which have reflected well on the industry generally, as well as the recipient's own organisation. John Goodfellow is prepared to champion the industry, whatever the issues, and has given exceptional service to the mortgage industry and in particular, the building society industry. He is currently chairman of the Building Societies Association, for the second time.
John has spent his entire career working in building societies, starting in 1964 at Burnley Building Society. He also worked for National & Provincial Building Society before joining Skipton Building Society in 1984 to lead the IT development strategy. He was appointed Chief Executive in 1991 and has driven the expansion of subsidiary companies to support the Skipton's core objectives. He retires next month and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.
PRODUCT PROVIDER AWARDS
Best Lifetime Mortgage Provider
Winner
New Life Mortgages
Runners up
Just Retirement
Best Buy-to-Let Mortgage Provider
Winner
BM Solutions
Runners up
Cheltenham & Gloucester
Best Insurance Provider
Winner
British Insurance
Runners up
Assurant Solutions for Intermediaries
Openwork/Cardif Pinnacle
Best Overall Lender
Winner
HSBC
Runners up
Nationwide Building Society
Date: 7th, November, 2008
ADVICE TO READERS
While this website is checked for accuracy, we are not liable for any incorrect information included. We recommend that you make enquiries based on your own circumstances and, if necessary, take professional advice before entering into transactions.
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