The amendments, which are effective from today, include a refresh of the look and feel of the Introducer Internet which Santander hopes will make completing Applications in Principle (AIPs) and Full Mortgage Applications (FMAs) simpler and more user friendly. Case tracking will also be fully integrated to improve how advisers view cases, upload documents and notes.
Users will now be able to access the website from tablet devices and more web browsers which are: Internet Explorer 10 and above, Chrome and Firefox on desktop/laptop and Safari and Chrome on tablet.
In addition, Santander has also updated the way change in circumstances are processed and how affordability declarations are completed.
For change in circumstances, a new mandatory question has been added to Santander’s FMA > Regulation section, requiring advisers to confirm if there are any known updates to the client’s circumstances that could affect affordability. Brokers will need to select from the list and provide an explanation as to how this has been considered and reflected in the affordability calculation. For customers with no difference in circumstance, advisers can select ‘none’.
A new question has also been added to the same section for residential customers with affordability declarations.
Advisers will be asked to provide a declaration where any part of an applicant’s income is made up of:
- Child benefit
- Child tax credit
- Maintenance
- Investments
- Long-term mortgage allowance and subsidies
If applicable, Santander requires intermediaries to confirm that the mortgage will remain affordable when the benefits end and how.
