By Francis Chan

HOMEBUYERS can now expect better and clearer information from OCBC Bank when they apply for a housing loan.

The bank announced yesterday that it has enhanced the way it markets mortgages in the light of recent scrutiny of financial institutions and their sales tactics.

Key changes include boosting the certification standards of staff, especially mortgage specialists, and providing easy-to-understand information so customers can make better-informed decisions.

Mr Gregory Chan, OCBC head of secured lending, said last year's events have changed the banking landscape, especially the way financial institutions market their products and services. 'While OCBC Bank had successfully avoided selling toxic products, we have taken it upon ourselves to review the marketing strategies and processes for all our products and services and understand how we can instil greater customer confidence and trust,' said Mr Chan.

The enhancements are part of a review of the way loan and investment products are sold, which started last September after the collapse of United States investment bank Lehman Brothers. Thousands of retail investors here suffered huge losses and many complained that they were mis-sold investment products linked to the US bank.

The outcry led to a shake-up initiated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to weed out shoddy and aggressive merchants in the financial services sector.

In March, the MAS released a draft consultation paper on what is acceptable practice and what crosses the line into mis-selling and deception. Key findings of the White Paper are expected to be released from the second half of the year, industry sources said.

In the meantime, many financial institutions have initiated reviews of sales processes and staff behaviour.

OCBC is believed to be the first local bank to introduce a new blueprint on how it deals with bank customers, starting with its home loans. Only staff who have completed a stringent in-house certification course will be permitted to advise clients on home financing options.

Customers will also need to undergo a thorough financial needs analysis by an OCBC mortgage specialist before a loan application is accepted.

After this analysis, the customer will receive a summary giving details of key information such as the interest rates, payment schedules and proposed loan structures to help them decide.

Mr Chan believes the enhancements will help customers better understand the financial impact of their decision instead of just appealing to them with lower interest for loans. 'The idea is guidance and transparency...rates alone don't tell you the whole story,' he added.

Mr Chan said OCBC will soon introduce other enhancements in the 'highly-watched' investment products space. These will include changes to its sales compensation structure that are expected to be in line with MAS recommendations.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.