Nationwide has expanded its scam checker service with a new call checker feature that tells customers they are speaking to them and not a fraudster. The call checker service comes as research from the building society found that the average Brit receives eight scam calls a month. Call checker is designed to give customers confidence that they are speaking to a genuine Nationwide colleague and compliments its existing scam checker service, which is used by 100,000 people and prevents £300,000 a month from being lost. The new feature enables customers to instantly confirm whether the call they’re on is genuine through Nationwide’s banking app.

Hargreaves Lansdown has appointed Matt Benchener as chief executive officer (CEO), starting in July subject to regulatory approval. He will join the financial services firm in March for a handover period, working alongside existing interim CEO, Richard Flint. Benchener joins from Vanguard, where he serves as managing director and head of the firm’s US retail direct business, Vanguard Personal Investor. During his time at the firm, he has led a large-scale operational turnaround, has transformed Personal Investor’s technology and digital platforms, and has launched a disruptive cash and savings offer. Upon Benchener taking up the CEO role on a full-time business, Flint will move to a new role on the board as deputy chair.

CHL Mortgages has unveiled a collection of limited-edition free valuation HMO and MUFB products. The collection of 10 products is suitable for properties with up to six bedrooms or units and features rates starting from 2.44% for two-year fixes and 4.54% for five-year fixed rates. Products are available up to 75% LTV, with landlords having the choice of between no fee, 2%, 3.5%, 5% and 7% fee options. Furthermore, the lender has also cut ates by 5 bps across its standard buy-to-let ranges with rates starting from 2.19% for two-year fixed rates and 4.41% on five-year fixes.

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