According to new data from Evaluate Technologies, the Government-owned banks were the most competitive lenders ranked by the number of mortgages in the best buy lists from Evaluate, hopefully signalling a greater willingness to lend.
Evaluate Technologies ranks mortgage deals across all product categories and each time a lender appeared in the top 10 in the three months from June 1st, they were awarded a point with the lender with the most points ranked as offering consistently good value.
RBS and NatWest topped the list with 20 appearances, narrowly ahead of HSBC with 19 and First Direct with 14. HSBC's high score does not take account of the bank's latest 1.99 per cent tracker deal which was launched at the start of September.
Amongst the other top performers were major mortgage lenders such as Britannia Building Society, Woolwich and Abbey. Regional building societies are also competitive with a number appearing amongst the best buys and Hinckley & Rugby Building Society even managed to equal bailed-out lender Halifax. Coventry, Furness, Leeds and Yorkshire Building Societies all scored in the top 20.
Julie Speed, National Accounts Director at Evaluate Technologies said: "RBS and NatWest are clearly leading the way particularly when it comes to Britain's bailed out banks most of which failed to make the best buy list. While RBS and NatWest have offered a strong set of products those who fail to qualify for the market-leading deals may find competitive alternatives hard to come by.
"HSBC's drive to capture the super-prime market has seen the lender score well with their competitive range which has been strengthened even further with a 1.99 per cent tracker."
