SMARTR UPGRADES
This fortnight's release brings you some upgrades, improvements, and fixes.
Remortgage Emails
We have improved the way Remortgage emails are sent! Until now, Remortgage emails have been sent in batches one the same date each month and were linked to the completed case which means you cannot edit the Remortgage Contact Date field.
The emails now send on the 'Remortgage Contact Date', which is also changeable if you feel the date needs to be different.
Experian
For those of you who use our Experian Integration, we have improved the usage information so you can clearly see how many have been used, and how many remaining.
For those of you who do not use our Experian Integration: Reach out Support who can start the process of getting you signed up!
There also updates to the input fields to support Halifax full mortgage applications via SmartrConnect as well as a number of bug fixes. For more information, you can find the latest update on Smartr. See below for how to find it:
1) Click Icon bottom right
2) Then messages –You can also see updates on any tickets here too
stress impacts our lives and take proactive steps toward better well-being. Shockingly, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point in the last year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope (Mental Health Foundation). Whether due to work pressures, personal challenges, or unexpected life events, stress affects us all.
Your Wellbeing Programme: Health Assured
We’re proud to partner with Health Assured, providing confidential support to help you manage stress and other challenges. Their services include:
✔ 24/7 helpline – Immediate support from trained professionals.
✔ Counselling services – Short-term therapy to help with emotional concerns.
✔ Financial & legal guidance – Support on money matters and legal questions.
✔ Well-being resources – Self-help tools, webinars, and more.
How You Can Help Yourself & Others
Stress is a shared experience, but together, we can create a supportive environment. Here’s how:
Look after yourself – Take breaks, get fresh air, and use Wellbeing Assistance Programme resources. Check in on colleagues, friends and family – A simple “How are you?” can make a difference. Encourage conversations – Reduce stigma by talking openly about stress.
Take a moment for your well-being—support is always available.
PROTECTION USER GUIDE
In case you missed it last week, the new Protection User Guides for Smartr/Concert is available now! The guides are designed to walk you through the step-by-step process of submitting a protection case. An email with the guide has already been sent, and you can also find it available on the shared drive. A special thanks to Catherine Tomlinson for her hard work in putting these guides together.
Catherine has also created a detailed Q&A document that covers all the questions and answers from the session. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates and further guides.
Links to guides:
Protection Guide
Walkthr
Guardian announces biggest cover upgrad yet is coming soon
Existing customers will also benefit with Guardian’s cover upgrade promise.
5 new definitions being added and 24 definitions improved
Policyholder’s partner’s children now covered on children’s cover 16 neutral wording changes and 3 clarifications for increased certainty
New cover upgrade promise checker tool makes keeping track of definitions easy
Guardian has announced that its biggest cover upgrade yet –across both adult and children’s critical illness cover – will take place later this month.
The upgrade will include the addition of 5 new critical illness definitions (3 for adult’s cover and 2 for children’s cover), 24 definition improvements (13 for adult cover and 11 for children’s cover). It has also improved its children’s critical illness cover to now include the policyholder’s partner’s children. Alongside the improvements, there’ll be 16 neutral wording changes and 3 clarifications to its definitions to increase customer certainty about when they can claim
Latest news from Skipton Building Society
for Intermediaries
The Skipton Group Home Affordability Index reveals that nearly 90% of potential first time buyers can’t afford to buy a home in their local area based on their personal financial situation. It’s a stark reality for those without financial support from family and friends.
With a selection of products and offers, their first time buyer range is designed to make home ownership more achievable.
Currently, Skipton have really strong SLA’s with the following timescales:
Process documents in 24 hours.
Complete DIP referrals within 2 hours
Barclays: Mortgage completions surged 50 per cent in March amid race to avoid higher stamp duty
Barclays Property Insights data shows rent and mortgage spending increased 5.4 per cent year-on-year in March, down from 7.7 per cent in February, following a fall in the Bank of England base rate.
However, budgets continue to be stretched by rising bills, contributing to a dip in confidence in both household finances and among renters looking to purchase their first home.
March saw highest volume of mortgage completions recorded since September 2021
Homebuyers report now needing an additional £13,530 on top of the property price to cover taxes and fees
Three in four have seen housing costs rise, up £126 on average per month
Despite the rush for completion, the increase in stamp duty has delayed some prospective first-time buyers from getting on the property ladder, with 14 per cent reporting that the recent band adjustments have impacted their ability to buy a home.
Fees add an extra £13,530 to the property price tag
Find out more from Barclays here
HSBC reduce their stress rates
Great news – as of Tuesday 22nd April HSBC have made reductions to the stress rates used in their residential affordability calculations, for both purchase and remortgage applications.
Stress rates are an integral part of ensuring affordability for your customers mortgage applications, and by amending the affordability rate at which the mortgage is calculated, HSBC can now support more customers in meeting the affordability criteria and potentially increase their borrowing amounts.
Further information – Talk to HSBC using their Chat with us facility, call our Broker Support Team on 0345 600 5847 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or contact your local BDM.
A new experience with The Exeter
From the 28th of April you will now have a dedicated contact with The Exeter who will oversee all of your new business applications – giving them the same care and attention you do. With one single point of contact, you can expect more personalized support and a better understanding of your business and processes. From the moment you hit apply, to the policy going live – your named contact is there to help. And for anything else, your Account Manager will still be on hand. From product education to identifying new opportunities – they’ll be there every step of the way.
Look out for an email coming your way with details of your dedicated team!
New to The Exeter?
Speak to one of The Exeter’s Account Managers to get started.
Following the success of the Income Prot webinars where we learned about the bri Child cover or the Pay my Mortgage facil of requests for Critical illness and Busine
I am delighted to say LV are now offering two product sessions in May with optional dates/times. Please see the invite links below and save a space by registering for your preferred session:
Join to explore how our comprehensive LV= Enhanced Critical Illness plan can support your clients through life’s unexpected challengers:
Wednesday 7 May at 12:00th
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c9a0c6c4-1c3349c3-b0e8-d5e1f30fbc42@22f4f236-661f-44f2-9c85d472ecfe6ce0
Friday 16 May at 10:00https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/21a438ff-518c48f9-a0eb-55679924c906@22f4f236-661f-44f2-9c85d472ecfe6ce0 th
Join to explore how LV= Relevant Life Cover and Executive Income Protection can support your client’s lifestyle and family in a tax efficient way:
th
Tuesday 13 May at 12:00https://events.teams.microsoft .com/event/a32d5ad2-270849ed-9d5183aa96c35849@22f4f236-661f44f2-9c85-d472ecfe6ce0
nd
Thursday 22 May at 10:00https://events.teams.microsoft .com/event/3f09d9ba-29fe435c-b3e13d7d2e330e8f@22f4f236-661f44f2-9c85-d472ecfe6ce0
