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TELUS partners with INVIS and Basis100 to become first Internet Service
Provider in Canada to offer live, integrated mortgage services
BURNABY, BC and TORONTO, ON, July 11 /CNW/ - Consumers can now use the
convenience of the Internet and Web-enabled cell phones to plan and purchase
their mortgage through the TELUS portals myBC.com, Alberta.com and myTO.com.
TELUS is the first Internet Service Provider in Canada to offer live,
integrated mortgage services on its portals, free of charge.
Applying for a mortgage through the TELUS online mortgage centres
(www.mybc.com/mortgages, www.Alberta.com/mortgages and www.myto.com/mortgages)
saves consumers the time and hassle of making multiple bank visits to compare
offers and fill out applications. The sites, built on Basis100 technology and
supported by INVIS Financial Group's mortgage consultants, enable consumers to
submit one application and have a mortgage consultant shop for the best
possible rates from more than 30 Canadian lenders.
Consumers can also search for low mortgage rates and calculate their
monthly mortgage payments as they shop for a house through the wireless TELUS
portals on their Web-enabled cell phones. In the near future, TELUS online
mortgage centre applicants will receive alerts letting them know the status of
their application through short message service (SMS) notification or e-mail
to their Web-enabled phones.
A growing number of consumers are turning to the Internet to find
mortgage information or apply for a mortgage online. This trend is evidenced
by surveys conducted by the Canadian Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders
(CIMBL) that reveal that consumer confidence in the Web-based mortgage
business has grown to 32 percent from 25 percent during the past year.
Significant driving factors in the consumers' decisions to explore online
options are attributed to multiple mortgage choices, a quick response and
approval process, and personal assistance.
"The TELUS mortgage centres are an example of how TELUS is building
smart, integrated solutions through the convergence of financial data, IP and
wireless," said Mark Schnarr, executive vice-president, TELUS Ventures. "We're
eliminating the stress of mortgage shopping and qualifying by providing
flexible Internet and wireless mortgage services to customers."
The mortgage centres at www.myBC.com/mortgages, www.Alberta.com/mortgages
and www.myTO.com/mortgages provide several mortgage-related services so
Internet users can:
- Sit back and relax while their mortgage is negotiated on their behalf
- Obtain competitive mortgage rate quotes from more than 30 major lenders
across Canada
- Calculate different payment scenarios to plan their mortgage
- Shop for legal packages and mortgage insurance premiums
- Determine the mortgage amount for which they may qualify
- Receive efficient and personal service by phone or in person
- Receive advice designed specifically for first-time home buyers
- Renew or refinance their existing mortgage
"This partnership offers an innovative solution to mortgage lending that
marries technology with personal service to provide a more complete customer
service experience," said John Bargis, Vice-President, Product Development and
Marketing for INVIS. "We've built strong relationships with Canadian lenders,
earning INVIS a solid position when negotiating on behalf of the Canadian
consumer."
Bargis added, "Through our affiliate and referrals program, INVIS
mortgage consultants will also help find the best rates on legal costs and
mortgage life insurance."
Online mortgage application filing, rate negotiation and processing
through the TELUS portals is secure, private and available at no cost to the
consumer.
"Our arrangement with TELUS increases the reach of our technology, as
well as ensures a more personally guided mortgage process," said Basis100
Chairman and CEO Gary Bartholomew. "We know that consumers are turning to the
Internet to research mortgages and apply online, but it's partnerships like
this one that connect the steps throughout the process that are going to be
successful in fulfilling these online applications."
About TELUS
TELUS Corporation (TSE: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is one of Canada's leading
telecommunications companies providing a full range of telecommunications
products and services that connect Canadians to the world. The company is the
leading service provider in Western Canada and provides data, Internet
Protocol, voice and wireless services to Central and Eastern Canada. TELUS
operates an online and wireless portal network that includes myBC.com,
Alberta.com, myTO.com and the online French-language TELUS Québec portals,
Globetrotter.net and Bizznys.com. As popular Web sites featuring news, sports,
entertainment and communication services, these portals generate traffic to
support local merchant advertising and e-commerce. For more information about
TELUS, visit www.telus.com.
About INVIS
INVIS is the largest independent national mortgage broker firm in Canada.
Since its inception, Invis has been the catalyst of change in the mortgage
broker industry, integrating a quality mobile sales force with the increasing
demand for online mortgage services. Invis continues to lead the evolution of
the mortgage industry by establishing numerous strategic affinity
relationships with related service providers and launching tactical marketing
campaigns designed to raise awareness of the Invis brand and the value
proposition of its Mortgage Consultants. For more information, please visit
www.invis.ca.
About Basis
100 Basis100 (BAS:TSE) is a leading e-commerce technology solution
provider for financial institutions and service providers enabling them to
build, distribute, buy and sell their products and services in new ways.
Basis100 is focused on the mortgage origination, consumer credit, fixed income
trading, and service vendor markets across North America. For more information
about Basis100, visit www.basis100.com. |
