The Co-operative Bank for Intermediaries is shortening its product transfer window, while Barclays is improving the way it calculates fees for existing customers who are refinancing.

Co-op says that from Friday, borrowers will be able to secure a new product transfer rate up to four months before their current deal ends, down from six months.

This aligns the approach to that of Coventry Building Society, which took over Co-op Bank last year.

Other lenders including Halifax and HSBC have previously reduced the window.

From today, Barclays says that when borrowers choose to add product fees to their mortgage upon switching to a new deal, the fee will now be added when the new rate kicks in rather than before.

The lender says it is making the change in response to feedback.

In an email to brokers it explains: “Interest on the product fee will only start accruing from the date the new rate begins.

“Your clients won’t pay interest on a product fee before they start benefiting from their new mortgage product.”

This means that if a product transfer is cancelled before the new rate takes effect borrowers will not be charged a fee or any interest.