Dunfermline Building Society Mortgages

Advantages: local branches and getting to speak to that branch on the telephone
Disadvantages: only available in scotland although do provide telephone banking

...wow what can i say, i had to recently open a new bank account and didnt want to wait two weeks for an apointment with the usual high street banks so i popped into my local dunfermline branch. i was greeted with very friendly staff, given an appointment with their account opening person(she had a title but i cant remember what it was) within 10 minutes of me entering the building, i had a cup of tea, some friendly chat and advice on the right account for me, with no pressure for extra sales i might add! i wish the bigger banks were as friendly and helpful as this and it was nice not to get hassled for additional business(i.e. have a loan, credit card etc etc.) i've been into the branch regularly since opening the account (my wages go in their) and its been consistantly friendly with no pressure to take out additional services... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Very efficient and helpful
Disadvantages: No branches in London

...The Newcastle Building Society is great for mortgages. We have never had any problems with them and the service when I have phoned up with queries is very good. We have had our mortgage with the Newcastle Building Society for about 5 years (taken out via a broker) and have re-mortgaged with them twice since the mortgage was originally taken out. We live in London and there aren't any branches of the Newcastle Building Society here but this hasn't been a problem since the call centre is so good. The mortgage rates from the Newcastle Building Society are very competitive. When we took the original mortgage deal out everything was dealt with very efficiently and the paperwork was done quickly. Since then when we have re-mortgaged, again all paperwork was done very quickly and efficiently. I would definitely recommend... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good personal service and good rates
Disadvantages: No branch in my hometown of Walsall

...About four years ago I received the annual statement from Sun Life Assurance regarding my mortgage endowment and, being an accountant, I did a few calculations to see roughly what the final figure would be at the end of the term. I was horrified by what appeared to be quite a shortfall in endowment to mortgage outstanding! Since the returns from the policy were not going to be enough to pay off the mortgage at the end of the term I had a choice to either take out a further policy or change my mortgage. I decided to change my mortgage from an endowment mortgage to a repayment mortgage. I shopped around and found that the best deal would be with the Britannia Building Society, as they would give me a discounted interest rate whilst I remained a member of my trade union, Unison. I have also continued paying my policy with Sun Life... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful