NatWest launches new broker site

9 December 2011 | By Natalie Thomas

There are a number of new features that have been developed as a result of input from intermediaries.

• Application form –the questions on the application form have been streamlined to remove duplication and reduce the need for further information requests once an application has been submitted. The form uses intelligent technology which means that brokers will only be asked the questions relevant to the specific application they are making.
• Buy-to-let AIP –the website will have the capability to generate a buy-to-let AIP online.
• Applicant electronic identity verification–for full mortgage applications, the site will automatically attempt to verify the identity of the applicant. Intermediaries will be advised of a successful identity verification in the Decision in Principle and should not be required to send in any further identity documentation.
• Application pre-population –details that are entered when requesting a KFI will automatically pre-populate the application form.
• Product pre-selection –to make it easier for advisers to choose the right product for their clients, products will be pre-selected based on the criteria entered, so they won’t need to trawl through a long list to find the mortgage they are looking for.
• Autosave –whenever details are entered into one of the form fields it will be automatically saved, so if a broker logs out or gets timed out their work will be saved.
• Mortgage reference number –for a full mortgage application, a mortgage reference number will be allocated to a client’s status field.
• Real time updating of personal details –brokers will be able to update their personal details such as phone numbers and address on the site, whenever they need to.

In addition, NatWest has harmonised the integration between its web site and MTE. This has resulted in changes being made to the AIP and full mortgage application forms and the introduction of a specific buy-to-let AIP.

Graham Felstead, head of intermediary channel, NatWest Intermediary Solutions, says: “I am delighted to be able to unveil the new web site as it marks a real step-change in our online proposition. We took soundings from our business partners on the priority features they wanted to see and we have delivered on these.

“Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for intermediaries to do business with us, so we have focused our energies on things like streamlining our application forms, introducing pre-population and autosave and putting in place electronic identification. Overall, this should mean that intermediaries will need to spend less time and effort submitting an application to us.”

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