lovemoney Awards 2013: best mortgage provider

Which mortgage providers have taken the gongs in this year's lovemoney Awards?

First Direct has claimed a hat-trick of victories in the 2013 lovemoney Awards after being voted Best Overall Mortgage Provider by a landslide by lovemoney readers.

The internet bank has also scooped the top prize in the Credit Card and Current Accounts categories. First Direct previously won the mortgage category in 2011. Last year, it was won by ING Direct, which has now been subsumed by Barclays.

Nationwide subsidary The Mortgage Works, which specialises in buy-to-let mortgages, and Lloyds Bank/TSB are this year's runners-up.

Here's how the category was decided.

Fees and charges

Winner: First Direct
Runners-up: Principality Building Society and Co-operative Bank

Fees and charges seem to be on an inexorable march skywards, so kudos to the three lenders who came top here. Having said that, none of their fees and charges are particularly low, but at least they're transparent.

Speed of processing

Winner: First Direct
Runners-up: The Mortgage Works and Lloyds Bank/TSB

Many of us have experienced that agonising wait during a mortgage application for paperwork to be completed. So we salute the people behind the scenes at First Direct, The Mortgage Works and what was Lloyds TSB for making it happen that bit faster.

Value for money

Winner: First Direct
Runners-up: The Mortgage Works and Yorkshire Bank

Another gong for First Direct, which offers a broad range of low-interest rate mortgages with high fees and vice versa.

Customer service

Winner: First Direct
Runners-up: Lloyds Bank/TSB and Yorkshire Building Society

First Direct is really acquiring an unparalleled reputation for its customer service. Good to see one of the 'big boys' is getting it right too at Lloyds/TSB.

See the latest mortgage rates and get expert advice

All the 2013 lovemoney Awards winners

Best insurers

Best current account provider

Best savings provider

Best credit card provider