Smiths Financial

Smiths Financial, mortgage brokerage in Frinton on Sea

Smiths Financial is the trading name of Smiths Financial Solutions Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 13002554 and registered office at 21 Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea, Essex. It operates as a mortgage intermediary directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with number 1056790 on the financial services register. The firm presents itself as specialising in mortgages and in finding solutions for profiles that conventional lenders tend to reject.

From first purchase to specialist mortgages

The range of services covers both standard transactions and more complex situations. Among the types the firm states it arranges are:

• Mortgages for first-time buyers and for those moving home.
• Agreement in Principle.
• Remortgaging of existing mortgages.
• Buy to let mortgages for rental investment.
• Specialist mortgages for clients with adverse credit history, debts or defaults.
• Mortgages for self-employed workers and for limited company directors.
• Joint mortgages with negative credit history.
• Bridging loans.
• Equity release and lifetime mortgages.
• Mortgages for holiday lets.
• Mortgages for shared ownership properties.
• Mortgages for older borrowers and for properties in retirement areas.
• Second charge loans.
• Financing for self-build, auction purchases and right-to-buy.

Personalised advice and working process

The firm describes its method as individual support: the adviser holds an initial interview or Fact Find to gather information on income, available deposit and the desired loan amount. From that data, it studies the affordability criteria of multiple lenders and, through a process of elimination, proposes the option that best fits the client's preferences. Smiths Financial stresses that it does not limit its search to a small panel of lenders and that each client has a dedicated adviser, with no referrals to third parties, as well as its own online portal to track the application and store documents and messages.

Adviser profile and regulation

The firm's advisers hold the CeMAP qualification, a recognised UK qualification for mortgage advice. The company operates under the direct authorisation of the FCA, which entails supervision of its activity and compliance with the conduct rules of the UK regulator. The firm states it has experience in finding mortgages for professionals, self-employed people, shared owners and company directors, as well as solutions for clients with adverse credit.

Complementary services: protection, conveyancing and reports

In addition to mortgage intermediation, Smiths Financial offers protection insurance, such as critical illness cover, to deal with unforeseen events such as illness or unemployment. It also facilitates conveyancing services (legal management of the sale and purchase) and obtaining credit reports. Throughout the process, the firm states it works alongside solicitors and estate agents so that the transaction proceeds without issues.

Geographic coverage and customer service

The company presents itself as a mortgage brokerage in Essex and in specific locations such as Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester and Frinton & Walton. It serves its clients in person, by phone, email or whichever channel is most convenient, and continuously monitors the market to inform of possible opportunities. The firm publishes client testimonials on its website, although it does not detail specific figures or ratings.

Location and contact

21 Connaught Avenue, Frinton on Sea, Essex, CO13 9PN · Phone: 0800 001 6515