Hi. We're first direct.
If you're thinking about taking out a mortgage with us, here are a few things you need to know.
In this video we'll run through all the mortgage services we offer, from helping you with your borrowing plans to protecting all your most important things.
Ready? Let's go.
first direct is a division of HSBC UK Bank plc which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. You may be entitled to compensation from the Scheme if we cannot meet our obligations.
Got all that?
Great. Now let's talk mortgages.
We only offer mortgages from first direct.
We only offer mortgages secured by a first legal charge. If your home is in Scotland, the mortgage will be secured by a first ranking standard security. Your solicitor or conveyancer will explain the legal effect of this.
Once we understand your financial position and what your requirements are, we'll give you our advice at no charge.
That's right. The advice is completely free.
You'll receive an illustration which will tell you about any costs relating to a particular mortgage product. You can request an illustration for any mortgage product you are eligible for...
Our rates can change at any time and we can only provide advice on what's available at the time. If you want, you can ask us to review our advice if your circumstances change.
If you are thinking about taking out additional secured borrowing, you might wish to consider alternative finance options first. You can find out more about your options in a document called "Key facts about our mortgage services" - and as always, if you've got any questions, we'll be happy to help.
As well as helping you with your mortgage, we will also offer you a quote for life insurance on a non-advised basis. You don't have to take this out with us, although you will need building insurance for your mortgage.
If you're interested in additional insurance, you can get advice on products such as life cover, income protection and critical illness cover through other members of the HSBC Group.
So we can make a suitable recommendation, we will need to know more about your current personal and financial situation.
Your adviser will collect and record this information, which will be treated as private and confidential and processed in accordance with data privacy requirements.
If you're applying for a mortgage with someone else, you'll need to have their permission before telling us their personal details. If we offer you a mortgage, all the conditions of the offer - including details of any outstanding debts that may need to be repaid - will be accessible to all applicants.
To help us with your mortgage application, we may need proof of your identity, income and outgoings. You'll need to provide evidence of these things using certain documents ahead of your mortgage appointment.
This is easily done using our online mortgage document uploader service, which will make sure your advisor has all the right information in front of them.
That should speed things along a bit.
To make sure that you're able to meet your financial commitments, we might need to have a look at your credit history. We may also share details of how you manage any borrowing from us with credit reference agencies.
Things like making lots of applications for credit in a short period of time might affect the offer we make you, so make sure you practice good habits to keep your score in shape.
We'll keep you up to date on how your application is going through our handy text messaging service.
We're looking forward to helping you with your mortgage, and we hope you'll be happy with our service.
And if you're not, we want to hear about how we can do better. You can write to us, send an email or give us a call - just don't bottle it up.
You can find more details about making a complaint on our website, as well as in the application documents we send you. We are also covered by the Financial Ombudsman service.
Once you're clear on everything, here's what you need to do before your mortgage appointment:
Submit any required documents using our Online Mortgage Document Uploader.
Let us know if you have any special requirements.
Any questions? Just let your advisor know.
Happy mortgaging.