Mortgage specialists on offer at the Post Office

Mortgage specialists will be available in main branches in Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall, Luton and Norwich, before being rolled out on a larger scale in the coming months. The online and phone service will continue to serve mortgage customers who don't live or work near these locations.

Mike Cook, head of Post Office mortgages, said: "We understand that taking out a mortgage is one of the most important financial decisions you have to make. Finding the right one can be a complex process and this is one of the reasons why we have introduced our specially trained mortgage specialists to assist our customers through the process.

"We are one of the fastest growing financial services providers in the UK and we are constantly looking at ways to offer new services to our customers. By introducing mortgage specialists in our branches, we are taking the next step in fulfilling our ambition to become one of the best providers in the market place and to be a genuine alternative to the established high street providers."

The move will change the way mortgages are sold throughout the network and is the PO says it's the next step in giving customers a "genuine alternative" to major high street banks as well as becoming a top ten mortgage provider.

First-time buyers, those wishing to move or customers looking to switch to a better deal will be able to book a free, no-obligation appointment in selected branches.

The mortgage specialists will be able to discuss each individual's needs and answer questions to help customers make an informed decision about the suitability of the products.

The Post Office's mortgage software will enable customers to find out how much they could borrow and view product features and repayments on screen.

Within a few minutes customers can be provided with a printed Approval in Principle or have the opportunity to submit a full mortgage application.

The introduction of specialists follows feedback from customers who felt they would welcome the opportunity to discuss their requirements face to face before committing to such a large investment.