Remortgaging through First Direct - Painful experience?

SonOf

So you think asking people questions on the phone is better than looking at actual financial history data they have access to??

Looking at a bank statement tells you very little to be honest.

You would be surprised at how little information is available to bank staff when dealing with people they do not actually know.

You seem to be missing the point a bit: I am already a customer! I have already been "cherry picked"! I am moving to a lower risk mortgage!

They already have underwritten the risks for the existing mortgage. You are asking them to underwrite the risks again going forward. They dont know if your circumstances have changed since you first took the mortgage out. They may be looking at this as an opportunity to not offer a deal and get rid of you if they feel you are not up to standard.

Personally, I do think what some banks do on rate switches is too much. However, I do understand why they may have come to that decision.