News that AIB has agreed 100 deals with mortgage holders which have involved some form of debt write off has brought into sharp focus the need for greater consistency in how mortgage arrears cases are handled across the different banks, according to Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath.

Deputy McGrath said if you are in mortgage arrears, the outcome you will get from your bank seems to be akin to Russian roulette.

Deputy McGrath commented: "At present, there is a distinct lack of consistency across the different banks between the deals being achieved by borrowers in mortgage arrears.

-- Advertisement --

"For example, the decision of AIB to grant some form of mortgage write off to at least 100 borrowers contrasts sharply with the policy of the other pillar bank – Bank of Ireland – which does not support debt forgiveness of any kind.

"One bank's sustainable solution could be another bank's unsustainable mortgage leading to repossession proceedings. For borrowers in difficulty with their mortgage, whether or not they are allowed to keep their home really shouldn't come down to a game of poker in this way.

"This lack of consistency is facilitated by the Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) which requires the banks to simply explore a list of alternative repayment arrangements without reference to any standardised criteria.

"Ultimately, no clear direction has been given by the Central Bank as to circumstances in which each alternative repayment arrangement is suitable. This has led to the situation we have today – of vastly different approaches being adopted by banks and of borrowers not knowing what to expect when they contact their bank with an arrears problem."

(CD/JP)