Smart Money People Logo

Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society: Mortgages reviews

4.65
Based on 104 reviews, last reviewed 18th Jun 2025
No new 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
100% decrease in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
86%
See only 4 star reviews
4%
See only 3 star reviews
2%
See only 2 star reviews
3%
See only 1 star reviews
5%

Latest highest rating:

5

SBS just make my life easier. SBS just make my life easier. Every communication I have them is explained so easily and straightforward. Always helpful in every way . I just sp... Read more Reviewed on: 18th June 2025
Gerry's avatar
Gerry

Latest lowest rating:

1

Incompetent, frustrating and time-wasters Utterly incompetent. Took 2 months to event get our re-mortgage application processed (costing time, and money) and then every single thing we put was... Read more Reviewed on: 13th March 2025
Clare R's avatar
Clare R

About this product

Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society Mortgages reviews (104)

Review of the Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society, Mortgages:

Beware false promises from this lender!

1
We were pre-approved for a loan, which was a 35% loan to value purchase. With our large down payment and small loan we felt comfortable making an offer on a home we liked and expected a fairly simple closing process. Then we were told the parameters of our loan had changed despite already being pre-approved. We agreed to the change, though it put a bit of strain on us. Now, we believed we could proceed, but after foot dragging by the lender, once again they changed the terms, and once again we reluctantly found a way to make it work. And then, after all our capitulations, we found out that our loan was denied on a technicality we had never been made aware of. So we have a contract with no lending secured after weeks thinking that approval was already somewhat assured. We feel deceived and cheated out of precious time which might result in us losing our contract on our purchase and out the fees we incurred from this lender and our solicitors. Reviewed on: 12th August 2024
Reply from Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society Hi Valerie, we are sorry that our services have not met your expectations. Please can you get in touch with us on [email protected] or 0330 123 0723 so we can discuss the matter further with you. Response date: 19th August 2024
Suffolk Building Society Logo
Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society

Additional borrowing applIcation

4
The product was just what we were looking for and the application and approval process was straight forward. We were kept up to date through out. Reviewed on: 18th October 2023

Charter information advice and set up

5
Stacey Jarram spoke with me today about me considering making use of the charter to enable me to have interest only mortgage payments for six months. Stacey clearly had robust knowledge about the product, how it could benefit me and what would need to be done before it could be authorised. Stacey was clear and professional throughout. I received an excellent service. Thanks Stacey! Reviewed on: 15th August 2023

Advice regarding temporary interest only payments

5
I spoke with Jodie Allum. She was polite professional and so helpful. I was a little nervous about calling but she helped me to feel at ease and she provided information that I needed before I asked the questions! Jodie delivered and she was a pleasure to speak with. Thank you Jodie. Reviewed on: 10th August 2023

Absolutely fantastic

5
I have a Mortage with Suffolk building society and the staff have been so incredibly helpful, nothing has been too much trouble. I highly recommend them to everyone Reviewed on: 9th August 2023

Such a support

5
I am going through a very challenging divorce with a joint variable rate mortgage the monthly payments have been spiraling out of control as interest rates continue to increase. My divorce settlement timescale have been moving further and further away as my husband refuses to provide any information to the court. I spoke to odie Allum, one of the collections officers at Suffolk Building Society , who was a tremendous help, kind, informative, and helpful. She helped me navigate to some potential options and is there for me when I need support. I can not thank her enough. Of all of the people who I thought could help me in this difficult time I never expected it to be my building society. Well Done Jodie and well done Suffolk Building Society. I'm not out of the woods yet but I certainly feel there is a path I can follow. Reviewed on: 20th June 2023

a very happy customer

5
Suffolk Building Society, now known as the Ipswich Building Society, have been my mortgagees for over 15 years. They have recently helped me through some very difficult personal times, -ill health, divorce, bereavement, court hearings, financial hardship, retirement - and they have been readily accessible by telephone, I had a case worker Stacey who dealt with all my queries, was extremely careful to check all the details, very professional, and very sympathetic to my unusual circumstances. She was able to help me overcome my difficult times, and keep my home. Longer term this building society have some very competitive products, have good channels of communication with their members, and have a caring attitude towards their members. My thanks to everyone from the bottom of my heart. Reviewed on: 4th April 2023

All spot on

5
Our mortgage was agreed without issue (not that we expected any) and processed efficiently. Also, the refund of a previous penalty payment was handled with no questions. All in all, very efficient. Reviewed on: 19th March 2023

Expat Landlord Mortgage made easy!

5
My job has taken us to Austria for a few years and we needed to rent out our home whilst we are away. We really struggled to find a expat landlord mortgage, and many of those we found had unhelpful conditions e.g. must hold a bank account with the provider with 25k in it! Thankfully the SBS were able to help and the process was straight forward. The product also allowed over-payment to a set amount, which has been really helpful as we think about our return to the UK and looking for new jobs. Reviewed on: 14th February 2023

Innovative , helpful and clear

5
As an older buyer I was looking for a small mortgage when moving house a couple of years ago . I was over an age at which most Building Societies would consider an applicant , or if they did they would impose very tight limits on the period of time over which any mortgage product could be taken . The Ipswich Building Society as it was at the time were the leading providor of the product I was looking for , a mortgage aimed at the older customer available over a time frame of up to 30 years making repayments highly affordable all of which was the ideal solution for myself . Why more Building Societies do not offer such products is always a mystery to me , I would be representative of a large group of potential customers who have stable income , backed by large cash reserves giving a low loan to value ratio so in many ways representing a sound investment for a mortgage company. Throughout the initial discussion and application period the society was extremely clear in its communication and the staff were always polite and accessable when questions arose . The on line portals for paperwork worked very smoothly and access to them secure yet straightforward , overall a very smooth process at what can be a stressful time if all elements dont go as planned . I would without doubt recommend the society to anyone looking for a mortgage and strongly suggest that they at least have a conversation with them to see how they may be able to help in a potential property purchase . Reviewed on: 10th February 2023

Very helpful Self Build

5
We were looking for a Self Build mortgage and approached several lenders who purported to offer this. Iinvariably after jumping through several hoops there was always an issue of one sort or another. Tried Ipswich / Suffolk and they were exteremly helpful and helped us secure our mortgage. The people we dealt with were always very friendly and helpful and I would definitely recommend them. Reviewed on: 9th February 2023

Do you have a different Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society product?

Share your experiences with products to help others make smarter financial decisions and learn more about different products available. Write a review

Want to see more from Suffolk Building Society, formerly Ipswich Building Society?

    View all products