About us
Winstree Financial Services is an independent mortgage and protection consultancy based in Colchester, Essex. We work exclusively for you and provide you with advised recommendations to achieve your goals. Not only will we provide you with suitable recommendations, but we’ll also take care of all the hard work and process the application on your behalf, right through to completion.
Who regulates Winstree Financial Services?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is an independent watchdog that regulates financial services within the UK. This document contains key information that we believe you should be aware of when considering engaging in our services. This information includes our level of authorization, exposure to the market, and details of remuneration. Both the FCA and Winstree Financial Services encourage you to read and understand this document prior to accepting any financial advice.
Our level of authorization Winstree Financial Services is proud to be directly authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can find further information about our authorization by searching on the FCA’s website; https://register.fca.org.uk/ or calling 0800 111 6768. Our FCA register number is 810624. Which mortgage products do we offer?
Winstree Financial Services provides professional advice in relation to residential mortgages, consumer Buy to Let mortgages, and non-regulated Buy to Let mortgages. We offer a comprehensive range of mortgages from across the UK mortgage market.
Where many mortgage brokers are only able to advise on a limited selection of lenders, we have access to the whole of the UK mortgage market and are completely independent. We can also inform you of direct lender products which you can only obtain by going direct to a lender, in which case we cannot arrange them for you. We do, however, have access to many broker exclusive products, which are not available in the branch.
As well as mortgage products, we have access to alternative finance options such as product switches with your existing lender, further advanced products with your existing lender, and second charge regulated mortgages. We also make suitable recommendations for commercial mortgages and bridging finance. Which insurance products do we offer?
It is our duty to make appropriate recommendations on suitable non-investment life insurance, critical illness, and income protection policies. We offer a comprehensive range of insurance products by carrying out a fair and personal analysis of the market. Consultancy fees For our residential remortgage, residential purchase and Buy to Let mortgages we charge a fee of up to £495. If a fee is charged it is payable upon completion of your new mortgage. We will advise you whether there is a fee when we make a recommendation. Our insurance intermediary services are free, we simply receive a commission from the relevant provider. provider.
Lender arrangement fees and valuation fees may be payable from time to time. Full details on these fees and the level of the commission we receive will be detailed on the Key Facts Illustration which is always issued upon recommendation. With regards to secured loans, commercial mortgages and bridging products, we will charge a broker fee of up to 1% of the net loan.
On occasion, there are services that we can provide for which we won’t receive a commission. In this instance, a fee of £199 will be payable on completion of the transaction. This is generally applicable to Transfers of Equity, Further Advances and some product switches. We will advise you whether there is a fee when we make a recommendation Refunds No refunds are offered once a case has completed. Treating customers fairly As a firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we support the ‘Treating Customers Fairly’ initiative.
The fair treatment of customers is at the heart of our business model. It is essential that you receive a service from us of the highest standard, from initial discussion to the post-completion services we provide. At the end of each process, we will provide you with a customer feedback form enables you to offer an honest assessment of your experience with Winstree Financial Services.
How do you make a comment or complaint?
If you wish to register a comment or complaint, please contact the Complaints Officer in writing to; Winstree Financial Services, Wellington House, 90-92 Butt Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3DA. Or please contact us by telephone by calling; 01206 982 828
We will endeavour to resolve any issues in a timely manner. If we cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Are we covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?
We are covered by the FSCS, which means you may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we cannot meet our obligations. Under the FSCS, for mortgage advising and arranging, you are covered up to a maximum of £50,000. For insurance advising and arranging, 90% of your claim is covered, with no upper limit.
Please refer to www.fscs.org.uk for more information.
How do we protect your data?
Of course, the nature of our interactions with you will require us to obtain specific and personal information which will allow us to review circumstances and assist you with our advice. At all times, all information is treated with the utmost confidence and client confidentiality is key to our service to you.
Once we have obtained the necessary information to complete our fact find, we store and process your data lawfully. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a privacy and data protection regulation in the European Union (EU) and came in to force in May 2018. GDPR places new obligations on organisations that control or process personal data and provides new rights and control for EU data subjects.
Additional information on how Winstree Financial Services process and protect your data is included in our GDPR statement. How can you contact us? Winstree Financial Services always look forward to hearing from you! Here’s how you can get in touch; Telephone – 01206 982 828 Post – Winstree Financial Services, Wellington House, 90-92 Butt Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3DA. Email – office@winstreemortgages.co.uk Website – www.winstreefinancial.co.uk
Winstree Financial Services Terms of Business
Terms of Business This document sets out the terms of business between Winstree Financial Services and its clients.
These Terms of Business apply until further notice. Either Winstree Financial Services or you can end them at any time, without penalty and this action will not affect any outstanding transactions being carried out on your behalf. Advice and Recommendations Any independent advice given to you by your consultant will be based on the initial information provided and your stated goals and objectives.
We always confirm your objectives and the justifications behind the recommendations in “Your mortgage document” (YMD). This document will be issued to you upon submission of your mortgage application. Any independent advice given to you by your consultant with regards to protection products (non-investment life insurance, critical illness cover and/or income protection) will be a result of our initial discussion and your stated desired level of protection. We always confirm your desired level of protection and the justifications behind your protection products in “Your protected document” (YPD).
This document will be issued to you upon submission of your protection policies. Client Classification Winstree Financial Services classify each individual client as ‘retail’ customer. As a retail customer, you have rights under the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). We have internal complaint handling procedures, please ask the ‘Complaints Officer’ if you would like a copy.
Acting in your Best Interests Winstree Financial Services are committed to your best interests at every stage of your experience with us. If, at any time, a material interest or conflict of interest should arise in business that we are arranging for you, we will let you know and ask for your consent before we carry out your instructions. We strongly recommend that if purchasing a property not to put down any deposits until you are satisfied that the mortgage is suitably agreed. Winstree Financial Services will not accept any responsibility for lost deposits associated with this and will not be held liable Your Duty of Disclosure It is your responsibility to provide complete and accurate information.
Please be aware that misinformation may result in a recommendation which may not pass an initial or full mortgage lending agreement. We strongly recommend that the information you provide is as accurate as possible. If you are uncertain please feel free to check and provide us with subsequent information at any time.
Please note that it is your responsibility to answer any questions during your medical questionnaire truthfully and honestly. Non-disclosure of any pre-existing health conditions may result in the insurer not paying out upon a submitted claim.
Our Promise to you Once you instruct Winstree Financial Services to work exclusively on your behalf, you can expect the following;
- An experienced mortgage and protection consultant to make the appropriate recommendation.
- Consistent case updates via your preferred method of communication.
- Regular contact with your mortgage lender, estate agent, solicitor or protection provider to ensure applications are proceeding in a timely manner.
- Confirmation of completion of mortgage and/or confirmation of any protection policies going live.
- A regular point of contact post-completion, for all mortgage and protection questions you may have.
