Access Financial Services

Access Financial Services, independent mortgage broker in the UK

Access Financial Services is a credit broker authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, with registration number 301173. The company, Access Financial Services Limited, is registered in England and Wales with number 04427489 and its registered office is at Unit 1, Furtho Court, Towcester Road, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK19 6AN. The company presents itself as a group of independent financial experts who work with an unlimited number of lenders to find products potentially suitable for each client.

Its activity focuses on mortgage and financial advice, with particular attention to comparing hundreds of market deals. The firm stresses that it is not a lender, but a credit intermediary that receives commissions from lenders or providers for arranging mortgages, finance or life insurance, and that it details these commissions throughout the process with the client.

Areas of mortgage advice

Its range of mortgage services covers different situations and client profiles. Among the solutions the company states it can handle are:

• Mortgages for first-time buyers.
• Remortgages of existing mortgages.
• Mortgages for moving home.
• Buy to let mortgages (for rental investment).
• Mortgages for clients with poor credit history.
• Zero deposit mortgages and 100% products.
• Equity release, including lifetime mortgage and home reversion plans.

The company also offers an indicative calculator to estimate how much a client or a couple could borrow, although it warns that this is only a guide and that all applications are subject to affordability checks and the applicant's credit status.

Protection and insurance

In addition to mortgage finance, Access Financial Services advises on personal and family protection products. The offering includes:

• Critical illness insurance.
• Family income benefit.
• Income protection insurance.
• Whole of life insurance.
• Private medical insurance.
• Business protection.

Specialist and commercial finance

The firm has brokers specialising in commercial finance and loans for a wide variety of property types and business sectors. Services in this area include:

• Commercial mortgages for owner-occupiers and commercial premises.
• Short term bridging loans.
• Development funding.
• Finance for investment properties.
• Unsecured business loans.
• Commercial insurance.

The FCA does not regulate bridging loans, commercial loans, certain types of buy to let mortgages and some investment mortgage contracts, as the entity itself warns.

Service approach and team

The company states that its aim is to offer clear and understandable advice, compare hundreds of deals and support the client throughout the entire process. Its service principles include honesty, integrity and customer care. The firm was founded by Karl Wilkinson, who has fifteen years of experience in financial services, together with Ali. As well as serving end clients, the company trains new mortgage brokers and maintains a Broker Academy.

Access Financial Services also offers resources for estate agents and industry professionals, such as a free letter template for clients who want to avoid pressure to use an estate agency's in-house broker. The company operates with a variable commission model depending on the lender and product, and provides information about these commissions throughout the client relationship.

Regulatory warnings

The entity reminds that it is a credit broker and not a lender, and that property may be repossessed if payments on a mortgage or any debt secured on it are not maintained. It also states that the information on its website should not be interpreted as advice and that each client should seek professional advice according to their circumstances. Its registration number with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is Z564037X.

Location and contact

Unit 1, Furtho Court, Towcester Road, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK19 6AN