Mortgages should be straightforward — you borrow money to buy a house and pay interest on the loan. But after a few enquiries, you soon realise that it's not so simple after all.
We are here to provide tailored, expert advice on mortgages and insurance protection.
Why First Financial
Our first priority is you
Every person who comes to us is in a position different from the last. We take the time to understand yours, then search the market to find the option that genuinely fits.
Advice built around you
No two clients are the same. We listen first, then tailor our recommendation to your circumstances and goals.
Two friendly branches
Visit us at the Mortgage Advice Shop in Seaham or our Head Office in North Shields — whichever suits you best.
A whole market searched
We compare a comprehensive panel of lenders and providers to secure a competitive deal for your needs.
What we do
How we can help
Mortgages
First-time buyers, remortgages, home movers, Right to Buy and buy-to-let — guidance at every step.
ExploreProtection
Life insurance, critical illness, income protection and more — a safety net for the moments that matter.
ExploreBusiness Protection
Keep your business resilient — cover for key people, loans, shareholders and partnerships.
Explore
A trusted part of the community since 1997
Since opening our doors in 1997, we have been a key part of the Seaham community, offering advice that's genuinely catered to you. Over the years we've stayed proud to support local life, including grassroots youth football in the area. In 2025, we expanded our services to North Shields, where an experienced and friendly team are on hand to help with any queries you may have.
Every person who comes to us will always be in a position that is different from the previous customer. We pride ourselves on spending time getting to know you, because it's important you are presented with the best options available for you.
Rooted in the North East
From the framed shirt on our wall to the heritage photographs lining the office, our home is woven into everything we do. We're a local firm that people can walk in to, sit down with, and trust with one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
Whether it's your first home, a remortgage, or putting protection in place for your family or business, we're here for the long term — not just the transaction.
Meet the team
Friendly, experienced & qualified
Our advisers bring decades of combined experience in mortgage and protection advice — and a genuinely warm welcome.
Services
From buying your first home to protecting your family and your business, our advice spans three core areas. Choose the one that fits where you are right now.
Mortgages
Expert help with moving home, remortgaging or consolidating credit — we identify and arrange a mortgage that best fits your requirements.
View mortgagesProtection
Cover that relieves the financial burden of mortgage debts or unexpected expenses in life's most stressful moments.
View protectionBusiness Protection
Safeguard your company against the loss of a key person, shareholder or partner, and keep loan repayments on track.
View business protectionMortgages
Here at First Financial Services we offer help with the often-stressful experience of moving home, remortgaging or consolidating your existing credit arrangements, with guidance on every step of the process. We can identify and arrange a mortgage which best fits your requirements.
First Time Buyers
Our friendly, experienced team guide you throughout the entire application. Buying your first property can feel overwhelming, so we find the most suitable deal and help you understand each part of the process along the way.
Remortgages
Your existing product may be coming to an end. If there are six months or less until it expires, get in touch so we can secure a more satisfying rate to save you money — or release equity from your property.
Home Movers
If you're looking to move home, there may be a few options on the table — from porting your current mortgage to your new property, to securing a better deal altogether.
Right To Buy
You may be eligible to purchase the council property you currently reside in. This government scheme helps you get onto the property ladder, or simply own a place you call home.
Buy To Let
We help you secure the best rates on your investment by searching a comprehensive list of lenders who offer the most competitive buy-to-let rates on the market.
Protection
We understand these conversations can be a difficult topic — but in the event of you falling ill or passing away, what position would you or your loved ones be in financially? We're here to help you understand why these covers matter and how much they can relieve the financial burden of mortgage debts or surprising expenses in life's most stressful moments.
Life Insurance
In the event of your death, life insurance enables you to leave a lump sum to your loved ones — a financial safety net for your family if you were no longer around.
Critical Illness Cover
A critical illness can happen to anyone, at any time. This cover provides a cash sum if it happens to you — easing the strain if you're unable to work and supporting you and your family during recovery.
Income Protection
If you were unable to work due to a specified illness or injury, you could be supported with a monthly income stream to help cover your financial commitments.
Family Income Benefit
Provides your family with a regular income in the event of your death, replacing lost earnings to help pay ongoing expenses such as household bills or mortgage debt.
Whole of Life
Unlike term life insurance, this cover offers protection no matter when you die. This lump sum payment can help pay towards funeral costs or even leave something to your family.
Business Protection
Protecting the people behind your business is just as important as protecting your own family. We can help you put cover in place that keeps the business resilient if a key individual becomes seriously ill or passes away.
Key Person Protection
Helps protect your business from the financial losses that can arise if a key person becomes terminally ill, suffers a critical illness, or in the event of their death.
Business Loan Protection
This type of cover helps you repay any business loan debts in event that a business partner were to pass away.
Shareholder Protection
This cover is put in place to allow the remaining business owners to buy the deceased directors share interest in the firm in event of death which is paid to the deceased family.
Partnership Protection
Partnership Protection is a business protection insurance which ensures that the remaining partner(s) will have funds readily available to buy out a partner’s shareholding in the event of death or a critical illness, with the proceeds paid to the partner’s family.
Relevant Life Insurance
This is a form of business protection that provides life cover to a relevant staff member or director, which is paid to the family in the event of their death. This benefits employees knowing that their family are covered in event of a death in service.
Executive Income Protection
Executive income protection protects businesses from potential financial impacts that may come across to them in an event that one of the directors were to be off work due to illness or injury. This type of policy will pay up to 80% of any director’s gross income.
Our Process
Six clear steps, from first hello to mortgage offer. Click through each stage below.
From enquiry to completion
Frequently Asked Questions
The Financial Conduct Authority authorises businesses within the UK that offer financial service activities to clients. You can search their register for firms and individuals to see which activities they have permission for, using the link here: register.fca.org.uk.
You can get in touch with us via email at info@firstfinancial.org.uk, or give us a call on either number shown above ( where our friendly team will arrange a time and place best suitable for you. You can also pop into our Seaham branch during opening hours.
A chat with our advisers at initial contact will determine what you aim to achieve and help us get to know each other, so we can provide you with the best service. You can view our process here to get an idea of the journey from initial contact to completion.
We have access to specialist insurance providers who may still be able to offer you a policy. It's always worth a conversation so we can explore the options available to you.
There's no "best time" to arrange protection other than as soon as you have a need for it. We offer different types of protection depending on your situation and the financial commitments you have in place. It's important to talk to us so we can provide the right cover — so that you and your loved ones have one less burden in a stressful moment.
Get in Touch
Head Office
North Shields
First Financial ServicesSuite 15, CAI Building
Coble Dene, North Shields
NE29 6DE
Seaham Branch
Mortgage Advice Shop
First Financial ServicesMortgage Advice Shop
17 Adelaide Row, Seaham
SR7 7EF
· Appointments available Mon–Fri on request
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