Website: HSBC
Phone: 0800 494 999
The HSBC mortgage service is good for general clients and first time buyers; less impressive for those with special needs. All mortgages are flexible, CAT marked, and offer daily interest calculation.
As one of the Big Five banks, it's not hard to get advice on an HSBC mortgage. The full range of repayment options is available (subject to status) including standard capital repayment, interest only, endowment (if you have an existing policy) and the rarer but potentially tax-efficient pension mortgage. A unique Home-Start first-time buyer's mortgage gives you three years capital-free borrowing, reducing payments for those early years when you need to spend most on your home.
HSBC are proud to offer mortgages which comply with the government's CAT rating. This means they're fair and accessible; but don't read too much into this- CAT marks for investments were a shambles, and didn't necessarily offer the best rates (that's not HSBC's fault- but shop around). Special products are available for buy-to-let and properties in France.
An HSBC mortgage will always feature daily interest charges (reducing the 'stepping' fee) and a guarantee to track the base rate within one month. On the downside, rates and fees are not shown on-site, so be sure to ring up and shop around first.
