Tesco Bank has poured
cold water on press reports that it has been forced to delay the
launch of its first mortgage products.

A Tesco Bank spokesman stressed to
RBI that its discussions with the regulator were ongoing
and constructive.

He added:

We are
making good progress with our mortgage launch plans. We’re
confident that our initial entry into the mortgage market will see
us offer a great value product with the convenience and simplicity
that Tesco customers expect.  

“We are in the advanced
stages of the regulatory process and will be in position to provide
details of the launch soon.”

Tesco Bank’s
expansion into mortgages and current accounts – in particular,
account switching incentives it may have in mind and its pricing
strategy – have been the source of much discussion in the
sector.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In May, Tesco Bank CEO Benny Higgins told RBI
that plans to launch the bank’s first mortgage and current account
products were well advanced.

Higgins
said:

“The strategy
of some of the high street banks to gain market share has been
crazy. This is not our strategy. Nor will we use mortgage brokers
in an attempt to win market share.

“We are
setting up a product architecture to serve customers well. We want
Tesco to create a large-scale product strategy, but if in two or
three years’ time the mortgages market is bad, we will stop
offering mortgages.”

For the 12
months to 26 February, Tesco Bank posted a trading profit of £264m,
increased revenues by 6.9% to £919m and has a Core Tier 1 capital
ratio of 15.9%.

Customer
numbers in active credit cards grew by 11%, personal loans by
17%.