The Cardiff-based network arm of specialist mortgage provider, Next Generation Mortgages, will roll out the Charter next month to its existing portfolio of ARs – and the growing army of intermediaries that it’s currently in negotiations with.
So far the network has signed up 90 individuals and organisations on an interim contract basis – a figure that takes it close to its overall first phase goal of recruiting 100 AR members by September 2004. Advanced talks are underway with over 100 other organisations.
The new Service Charter will emphasise the minimum standards AR members can expect when they sign-up to networkone. This includes:
- A commitment to deliver the highest standards of servicing for members. Typically, this will mean that ARs can expect specialist mortgage cases to proceed to a formal Offer within 10 working days.
- An assurance that the network will offer market-leading commissions to AR partners.
- A comprehensive complaints procedure aimed at addressing AR and client concerns speedily and effectively should they arise.
“Every intermediary who has made the decision to join a network as an AR is stepping into the unknown,” commented networkone managing director Terry Markham. “Nonetheless, organisations such as my own have a responsibility to offer certain guarantees to all our members.
“This is why we’ve opted to launch our Service Charter now. It clearly demonstrates what the substance of our offering is – and emphasises what the minimum standards are that we set ourselves.
“Some people may think it’s a brave thing for us to be doing. We simply believe that a member should sign-up to a relationship with a Principal network with their eyes wide open. The Charter will go a long way to achieving this goal. It’s also a great demonstration of our long-term commitment to the AR community.”
The networkone proposition includes free membership if an AR hits an agreed quota of monthly mortgage cases, free PI cover, on-going business consultancy support and the provision of free computer software and hardware.
“Potential network members have a right to expect an offering that represents minimum risk and maximum value. In everything we do we try to meet this need,” added Terry Markham.
