Woolwich Launch Buy To Let 'fix And Track' Mortgage To Beat Swap Rate Volatility

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun 29, 2007 -
Woolwich have announced the launch of a new buy to let 'fix and track' mortgage created to beat the problems caused by swap rate volatility.

Andy Gray, head of mortgages for the Woolwich (http://www.woolwich.co.uk/ ), said: “Swap rates have reached their highest levels since 2000 over the last two weeks as the chances of base rates increasing over the next couple of months become reality. Most forecasters in the short term expect at least one more rise of 0.25 per cent in base rates, and some expect two, before stabilising or falling back in 2008. Therefore the one year fix and track will give buy to let (http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?ta... ) investors the stability they need over the next year whilst allowing them to take full advantage of any fall in interest rates with a competitively priced follow-on lifetime tracker.”

The new product will also offer a ‘drop and lock’ facility whereby customers will be able to switch into another Woolwich capped or fixed rate mortgage (http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?ta... ) after the first year without incurring an early repayment charge.

Product details on the Buy to Let ‘Fix and Track’:

- 1 year fixed at 5.99 per cent reverts to lifetime tracker (http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?ta... ) (base +0.69 per cent)
- Arrangement fee of £595
- Drop and lock facility which kicks in after the first year
- Rate available for mortgages up to 85 per cent of the purchase price/valuation
- Early repayment charge of six months interest at the buy to let SVR or fixed rate whichever is higher until 2 October 2010. This is not payable if the drop lock facility is utilised from year two.
- For customers switching from another lender Woolwich will cover legal and survey fees under the Switch & Save option
- Mortgage fully portable

Woolwich, which launched the short term fix and track on its residential range, is also introducing this innovative approach on its buy to let range to get around the short term hike in swap rates.  The new fix and track will initially offer a 1 year fixed rate at 5.99 per cent to buy to let investors, after the first year the rate will revert to a lifetime tracker at 0.69 per cent above base.

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Barclays Bank PLC authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Barclays Bank PLC represents only the Legal and General Marketing Group of companies for life assurance, pensions and unit trusts
Registered in England. Registered No: 10226167. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP

Customers can find out more about all the new and existing Woolwich and Barclays mortgages (http://www.barclays.co.uk/mortgages/ ) by contacting their local Barclays or Woolwich branch, via the internet on www.woolwich.co.uk or www.barclays.com or by phoning 0845 607 1111.

For more Barclays Woolwich PR information contact

Emma Austin
Retail Banking PR Manager
The Woolwich
Watling Street
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7RR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7116 6145
http://www.woolwich.co.uk/