Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 30 April 2015

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis

Nexus Phase

Mr. Brian Goggin:

The pioneers of 100% mortgages was Ulster Bank through First Active. And we actually ... when the concept of providing 100% mortgages was first raised at a group risk policy committee, my recollection is it was declined and by the time we came to providing 100% mortgages, we were very much as a reluctant follower. It was to protect our franchise and, initially, the offering was to professionals. It was then broadened out to first-time buyers and, by definition, as things transpired, it was going to be a higher risk segment. That's why we didn't want to be in 100% mortgages.