Retailers in the home improvement industry are now able to offer their customers a consumer credit facility that is not only readily available in the current financial market but also outperforms many of the more traditional borrowing packages.

Mortgage Buster – introduced by independent finance specialists Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS) – currently provides the lowest unsecured loan rate in the UK. It is available to all sizes of retailers and offers an impressive 5.9% APR with a repayment term available up to 15 years.

The company has introduced this package at a time when it is much harder for consumers to borrow money and many mortgage products have been withdrawn from the market. Mortgage Buster also carries none of the massive set-up fees now associated with standard mortgage packages and is not dependent on house prices or equity.

Peter Nicholson, Partner at CCS, explains why the new finance package is so appealing. “In many ways we are going against the current market trend by offering a product that still provides a realistic way for most consumers to fund those larger home improvement projects.

“Mortgage Buster is significantly cheaper than most standard mortgage rates and has none of the associated set-up costs that are seen elsewhere in the market. Therefore, for what is often a relatively small monthly instalment, people can access greater amounts of finance than they might initially have budgeted for.”

Using the unsecured Mortgage Buster facility, for example, a customer could borrow £10,000 over 15 years, which would give a re-payment cost of £83 per month with a total amount payable of £14,949. Figures for £20,000 would be £166 per month with a total amount of £29,880.

Mortgage Buster has also been well received by retailers because it is easy to set up and only requires them to make a modest subsidy contribution – much cheaper for instance than with traditional interest free credit.

Derrick McClaren, Sales Director at Paramount Home Improvements, is confident that the new credit facility, which offers enormous cost savings to the customer, will have a positive impact on sales.

“Mortgage Buster has an excellent repayment rate and is the most competitive deal on the market. It also offers a better option than re-mortgaging because customers can pay off the loan over a period of up to 15 years rather than being locked into the duration of their existing mortgage,” he said.

CCS is able to offer such advantageous unsecured loan terms because of its considerable market experience in the home improvement sector and high volume turnover with some of the UK's leading credit and finance houses. This enables the company to secure the best possible finance deals for its clients, which they in turn can offer to their own clients.

As well as arranging individual finance deals, CCS also offers home improvement clients a comprehensive support package, including ongoing account management, advice on how to promote the available credit products, advertising, sales training and on-site training on the completion and processing of credit applications.

CCS which has offices in Leyland, Lancashire and Birmingham, currently manages an annual credit managed programme in excess of £150million and has a client portfolio ranging from independent retailers through to national players such as Zenith Staybrite, Amdega, Anglian, Hammonds, Betta Bedrooms and Appeal Conservatory Blinds.

Retailers wanting to find out more about Mortgage Buster and CCS's other credit services should visit www.creditsolutionsgroup.co.uk or call 0845 120 6666.

PHOTO CAPTION: Credit cruncher: Peter Nicholson, Partner at Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS), is offering retailers the lowest unsecured loan rate in the UK to fund those larger home improvement projects.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS)

• Established in 1998, Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS) operates exclusively within the home improvement market providing point of sale finance plans in conjunction with a panel of 'blue chip' lending partners.

• CCS is a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and is part of the Credit Solutions Group, which also incorporates sister company Consumer Finance Solutions (CFS). The Group employs 15 members of staff and has headquarters in Leyland, Lancashire, and Birmingham.

• CCS is a licensed credit broker and operates on a partnership basis with many of the UK's leading credit and finance houses. The company provides a total credit management service including business advice and training in sales and completion of credit applications.

• CCS has a wide customer base ranging from independent local businesses through to regional or multi-national organisations. Clients include: Anglian, Zenith Staybrite, Amdega, Betta Bedrooms, Hammonds and Appeal Conservatory Blinds.

For more information, please contact:

Jackie Mackenzie or Helga Pearson Press Officers for Consumer Credit Solutions Tel: 01748 826091; Mobile: 07971 214776 Email: helga@jmapublicrelations.com