The Right Mortgage & Protection Network has appointed Abigail Carr as its new head of customer service. As part of the role, she will be directing and managing all activities related to the delivery of customer service to the network’s appointed representative (AR) firms and advisers. Alongside this, Carr will be the point of contact for all customer services issues, liaising with other department heads across the organisation, implementing and maintaining effective methods for gathering customer (adviser) satisfaction data, developing plans and targets for the customer service team, managing and maintaining long-lasting relationships with advisers, organising training and facilitating the development of a customer service team.

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has expanded its specialist mortgages sales team by appointing Lee Isherwood to the role of business development manager (BDM) for the North East. He will be responsible for nuturing existing relationships with brokers in the North East of England, as well as introducing other brokers in the region to HTB’s specialist mortgages. Isherwood has experience in working with mortgage brokers, having worked as a case manager, desk-based BDM and BDM for reputable mortgage brokers. This has provided him with insights into how to support brokers with complex buy-to-let (BTL) cases, as well as the standards of service required in order to deliver for advisers and their clients.

Buy to Let by Foundation has announced a refresh of both core and special BTL products, with the introduction of a 4.99% five-year fixed-rate mortgage for portfolio landlords. Within the core range, Foundation has reduced rates on its F1 five-year fixed rates by up to 50 bps, with rates starting from 5.74%. It has also reduced on its F2 standard five-year fixes by 45 bps, with rates starting from 5.94% and its F2 standard HMO five-year fixes by 20 bps, with rates starting from 6.29%. In its specials range, the lender has reintroduced its portfolio landlord only five-year fixed rate, available up to 75% LTV, with rates starting by 4.99%, with a 6% product fee. Rates have also been reduced on F1 standard two-year fixes, as well as F2 HMO special two- and five-year fixes, starting from 5.34% and 5.39% respectively.

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