05/11/2012

Variable Rate Mortgages Rising Would Be A 'Disaster' - FF

The prospect of standard variable rate mortgages rising to between 5% and 6% over the next few years would be a disaster for hundreds of Waterford families that bank with AIB, according to the Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael J O’Ryan.

Cllr O'Ryan was responding to comments made by the AIB this week suggesting that variable rates could reach 5% to 6% over the medium term.

Cllr O'Ryan commented: "Over the past number of months, the standard variable rate (SVR) charged by AIB has increased by a full percentage to 4%, increasing the monthly repayments for hundreds of Waterford families very significantly. These rate increases have come at a time when the ECB has held its base rate at 0.75%.

"The suggestion that variable rates could reach as much as 6% over the period ahead is a truly frightening one for many Waterford families that are currently in arrears or already struggling to make their existing monthly repayments. AIB has confirmed its cost of funding is 2.79% and the bank is hoping to reduce this further. I cannot see any justification for the bank seeking to increase its variable rate any further.

"The government has been a passive bystander in recent months as the banks have increased their variable rates to the detriment of Waterford mortgage customers. This is not a luxury the government can afford any longer.

"AIB customers have also been hit by closures to bank branches in Kilmacthomas and Tallow. AIB is wholly owned by the Irish people and I find it extraordinary that tax payers are footing the bill for the mismanagement of bank."

(CD/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 October 2011
'Stop Raising Mortgage Rates' Says Elderfield
Banks have been asked to stop raising standard variable rates on mortgages in a bid to relieve the problem of mortgage arrears.
01 June 2015
BoI Slammed For Keeping Standard Variable Rate At 4.5%
The Bank of Ireland (BoI) is being slammed for keeping its standard variable rate at 4.5%. The bank reduced its fixed mortgage rate, however it is refusing to cut its "ridiculous" variable rate and is instead effectively trying to force existing customers to lock in to a two year fixed rate, according to Fianna Fail.
09 October 2008
Bank Of Ireland Agrees To Pass On Savings
The Bank of Ireland has confirmed it will pass on its savings from Wednesday's interest rate cut to its mortgage customers. The cuts will apply to standard variable rate and tracker rate mortgage customers. The new standard variable rate will be effective from Monday, November 3.
10 August 2010
AIB Pay Staff Green Fees Despite Mortgage Hike
It has emerged the Anglo Irish Bank is to raise its variable mortgage rate despite offering to pay employees’ golf club fees and leisure club memberships worth millions of euro per year. In recent months, the bank has faced near closure, an ongoing Gardaí investigation, and required an immense taxpayer subsidy.
12 May 2015
Fianna Fáil 'Dismayed' At Central Bank Position
Fianna Fáil has said that it is "dismayed" at reports that the Central Bank is "siding with the banks and not 300,000 mortgage holders paying variable mortgage rates which are double the euro zone average".