Some of the UK’s biggest lenders will offer "mortgage holidays" to flood-stricken customers.

RBS, HSBC and Santander will suspend mortgage repayments for customers hit by the floods that have swept Britain since before Christmas, as well as additional measures including storm funds and overdraft extensions.

On 12 February Santander said it would give customers repayment holidays or a period of interest-only payments on a case-by-case basis.

Ana Botín, chief executive of Santander UK, said: "We are already working with our customers to find personalised solutions that can help alleviate any financial stress caused by the recent floods, to allow them to concentrate on what matters right now.

"Once this vital work is further advanced, Santander wants to work to help communities recover, and as such is establishing a £100,000 dedicated fund to help provide funding for community projects in the impacted areas."

The Spanish bank will also offer loan agreements to farmers for up to a year and small businesses for six months.

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.

Customer overdrafts for personal banking or business customers will also be extended without fees.

RBS, meanwhile, has increased the amount of cash customers can withdraw from ATMs from £300 ($499) to £500, along with providing a £250m UK Storm Business Fund.

The fund was created last month to provide short-term, interest-free loans to flood-stricken businesses, whether or not they bank with RBS or NatWest.

RBS chief executive Ross McEwan said: "Thousands of families and businesses will battle short-term financial difficulties as they work to recover from the floods. RBS will stand by our customers and help them in any way we can.

"I hope the steps we are taking will make a meaningful difference to the communities that are working so hard to manage through the floods and then recover from them."

HSBC said it would offer a mortgage repayment holiday of up three months to customers on a case-by-case basis.

The lender will also provide fast-track credit acceptance, loan and overdraft extensions and consider waiving or reducing arrangement fees on loans and overdrafts.

Antonio Simoes, head of HSBC in the UK, commented: "We understand the huge strain the floods are placing on our business and personal customers in affected areas and we want to make sure we are providing the support that they need now and in the future.

"We recognise that the consequences of the floods will be long lasting and we will continue to provide the financial support and flexibility our customers need."

All measures put in place by HSBC also apply to M&S and First Direct and all those implemented by RBS also apply to NatWest.

 

Related articles:

Sainsbury’s Bank plans to enter mortgage business, create more jobs: Report

KBC Bank Ireland to expand mortgage business in 2014: Reports

Co-operative Bank raises interest rates for mortgage borrowers