FLAC: Banks should not increase calls to customers in mortgage arrears

The Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) is objecting to a proposed change to the code of conduct on mortgage arrears that would allow banks to increase the number of calls they make to distressed customers.

FLAC will today make its submission to the Central Bank, which is in the process of revising the code.

Currently banks are not allowed to call customers who are in mortgage arrears more than three times a month. However, that limit is understood to be under review.

Director of FLAC Noeleen Blackwell said the new code should put pressure on lenders as well as borrowers.

"A lot of the code suggests that borrowers have to cooperate all of the time", she said. "We would like to see lenders having an obligation to engage with borrowers in a particular way".