According to the society, the new product gives access to a competitive interest rate which is fixed for five years. A customer must provide a 5% deposit and a family member holds funds in a Saffron Family Support Savings Account, for the first five years of the mortgage. The family contribution also gains interest over the fixed term period before being returned.
A breakdown of the new product is as follows:
The customer provides 5% of the purchase price by way of a deposit (which can be a gifted deposit). A member of their family holds another 5 % of the purchase price in a Saffron Family Support Savings Account linked to the Mortgage. The funds are held in a Saffron Family Support Savings Account for the duration of the five year fixed term of the mortgage. The funds cannot be accessed for the five year fixed term of the mortgage. At the end of the five year term, the funds are returned with interest paid.
Saffron pays for the customers valuation and there is no arrangement fee on the mortgage - cutting down upfront costs.
Anita Arch, Saffron Building Society’s Head of Mortgage Sales said: “Our Members told us that they’d like a way of supporting their families financially in the early years of home ownership but, when they found their feet, to have the money they provided returned. These funds might be needed as part of retirement planning for example. A gifted deposit is often seen as an ideal way to assist, but ‘gifted’ money is not repayable which means it is not always the ideal solution.”
In addition, the family member providing the support receives interest on their funds, at the end of the five year term. We see this as a great way for families to help each other, and is a welcome addition to the ‘gifted deposit’ option we offer on all our mortgages.”
