First direct has announced it will resume selling mortgages to non customers after temporarily stopping offering mortgages to new customers on 1 April after receiving five times its normal number of applications.

first direct’s aim was to restore service to the standard people expect from the bank while continuing to meet the mortgage needs of existing customers. It has now cleared the backlog of mortgage application approvals from 1 April and earlier.

Since April’s move, first direct has continued to receive huge interest in it’s home loans from existing customers, with applications running at twice the normal level.

Chris Pilling, first direct’s chief executive, said: “Last month we took the bold decision to withdraw from mortgage sales to non customers to allow us to process the huge number of enquiries we had received and focus on the excellent service we want to provide for our customers. We’ve now assessed all the loan applications outstanding from 1 April and earlier and let everyone know the outcome. We’ve honoured the fixed interest rates available when people first contacted us about their mortgage.

“I’d like to thank customers for their patience during recent weeks and also to pay tribute to our team at first direct who have burned the midnight oil to complete a year’s worth of mortgages in just three months.”

From 19 May first direct is offering the following offset mortgages to new and existing customers:

* 2 year fixed rate at 5.76% (6.3% APR); £499 booking fee and £1,499 arrangement fee
* 2 year fixed rate at 5.99% (6.2% APR); £99 booking fee and £399 arrangement fee
* 5 year fixed rate at 5.98% (6.2% APR); £299 booking fee and £299 arrangement fee
* 10 year fixed rate at 5.99% (6.2% APR); £299 booking fee and £299 arrangement fee

All mortgages are subject to first direct’s normal maximum loan to value (LTV) of 80 per cent. They revert to the bank’s standard variable rate, currently 6.00%, at the end of the fixed term.

Consumers should call 0800 24 48 24 or visit firstdirect.com for more information.