NEW RULES WHICH will make it easier for bank customers to get information about savings on their mortgages come into force from today.

A report in 2015 found more than one fifth of borrowers could save money by switching and these requirements for lenders will make it less complicated and time-consuming to do so. Under the new requirements:

• Lenders will have to notify customers 60 days before their fixed-rate term ends and provide details of the new rate and possible other options. Before this lenders did not have to remind customers in advance at all.
• Banks will have to let variable rate mortgage customers know every year whether or not they can move to a cheaper interest rate.
• On request, all lenders will have to provide an indicative comparison of the total interest payable on the customer’s existing mortgage and the interest payable on the new or alternative rate on offer.
• Banks will be required to alert customers to the relevant section of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission website where they can compare prices.

The 2015 analysis of over half a million mortgages found approximately 16,000 could save over €1,000 in the first 12 months, and around 27,000 switchers have the potential to save in excess of €10,000 over the lifetime of the mortgage.

Most people who have a mortgage never switch to a cheaper offer and the Central Bank is hoping this will change under this new regime. 

Banking culture

The measures were announced by the Central Bank last year, a year of much discussion around the culture of Irish banks and their treatment of customers. It emerged over the course of 2018 that more than 38,000 customers had been overcharged by their banks in what is now known as the tracker mortgage scandal. 

Some people lost their homes as a direct result of their bank’s actions.

The five Irish retail banks are now establishing a “new, independent Irish Banking Culture Board” which they hope will rebuild trust in the sector.

Related Reads

Number affected by tracker mortgage scandal rises - it's now over 38,000

The new banking board will be required to publish regular summary reports to measure progress made in its aims of “promoting the highest ethical business conduct in banking” and “driving continuous improvement in culture across the Irish banking industry”. Staff at the five banks will also participate in two UCD-accredited culture programmes.

The Central Bank is hoping that the new requirements in relation to mortgage switching will bring increased competitiveness to the market, with better rate offers from banks who will not want customers to switch to another lender.

For more information on switching your mortgage, see the advice on the CPPC website.