Afin Bank adds three underwriters across resi, BTL and bridging
Afin Bank has recruited three underwriters to its team to cover residential, buy-to-let (BTL) and bridging business.
Each hire brings experience in specialist lending and manual underwriting, which Afin said was integral to its strategy of supporting underserved customers.
James Hollinshead has been appointed, bringing 25 years of experience in financial services to the role, including first and second line risk roles where he specialised in commercial underwriting at The Co-operative Bank, Yorkshire Building Society and Principality Building Society.
He said he was drawn to Afin as a “small but growing organisation” with an opportunity to build something new while supporting the niche segments of the market.
Hollinshead said: “Lots of lenders are moving to automated approaches to underwriting, necessitating putting everyone and criteria into boxes, but that means a large chunk of the market is not being served properly. Joining Afin Bank provides an opportunity to shape a growing lender, work with intermediaries and provide lending products to a diversified customer base.”
Jude Miranda has worked in the sector for 30 years and joins from GB Bank. He has experience across residential and commercial loans, having also worked in lending and underwriting positions at Shawbrook Bank, Hampshire Trust Bank, Masthaven Bank and over nine years at Platform Home Loans.
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He said: “There are lots of lenders out there, but they all tend to do the same thing. What stood out for me with Afin is that it is doing something different by filling those criteria gaps – mortgages for foreign nationals, high-net-worth mortgages and 80% loan to value regulated bridging.
“The technology is all new as well, so there are no legacy systems that we have to try and make work, so we can create a truly frictionless journey for brokers and their customers. I am looking forward to bringing my experience and know-how as the Bank grows.”
Sanjay Patel joins from Precise Mortgages, where he was an underwriter for more than nine years, with experience of residential and BTL mortgages.
Patel said he was “very excited” to come across a specialist underwriter role for a bank that still did manual underwriting.
He added: “A lot of customer applications are not simple, so that’s where we need to delve into deeper, to understand their situation and try to find a solution. I also liked that Afin is a start-up, so I get to work with brokers and be an important part of the customer journey.”
Jason Oakley, CEO, Afin Bank, added: “I am delighted to welcome three such talented and experienced underwriters to the Afin family. Their expertise, knowledge of different lending situations and a real passion for brokers and borrowers will help us deliver on our promise of supporting the growing number of under-served borrowers in the UK.”
