This new relationship allows Paradigm member firms to place business with National Counties through the proposition providing access to the building society’s range of mortgage products including residential fixed, tracker, discount and flexible options for both purchase and remortgage, its current SVR buy-to-let product and commercial mortgages for prime property investment.
National Counties' operates a conservative approach to lending which means every application is individually considered by a trained underwriter, rather than using an automated credit scoring arrangement. The circumstances of each individual applying for a mortgage are taken into account by the building society which has meant it has experienced a low level of default on its mortgages.
Alongside its core mortgage offering Paradigm Mortgage Services also offers its member firms a range of product options and income-generating opportunities including protection, GI, equity release, wills and legal services.
National Counties was born out of the Fourth Post Office Mutual Building Society, which itself was formed in 1896. The Society pioneered the development of investment accounts by post and re-branded as National Counties in 1972 to reflect its nationwide status.
It is the UK's largest single office building society with its headquarters in Epsom, Surrey. As at 31 December 2009 it had reserves of £106 million and assets of £1,246 million.
John Coffield, Head of Paradigm Mortgage Services, commented:
“The UK’s building society sector continues to provide advisers and their clients with a wealth of competitive mortgage products. This is why Paradigm continues to work with distribution partners such as National Counties to ensure their ranges are available to the Paradigm membership base.
"With this addition to our lender panel Paradigm firms can now access all the available mortgage products from the building society and they can be safe in the knowledge they are not only receiving the best rates for their clients National Counties can offer but are also building further value in their businesses through the terms of their membership.
"Paradigm will continue to work with those lenders and providers who can see the benefits of our proposition and the added value we continue to provide. We are also committed to generating value-building opportunities for our membership and offer a range of services alongside our core mortgage offering.
"The addition of National Counties to the panel is a real boost for Paradigm and we believe this is the start of a long and strong relationship between ourselves, our firms and all stakeholders.”
Jessica Harris, Marketing and Communications Officer at National Counties Building Society, said:
“We are looking forward to working with Paradigm Mortgage Services. Our traditional underwriting approach and competitive products are complemented by the high standard of personal service we provide from our Head Office in Epsom and we're very pleased to able to work with Paradigm members for the benefit of their clients.”
