Connect for Intermediaries has been selected as one of a limited number of mortgage packagers to partner with the newly launched specialist lender, Afin Bank.

The bank, which has now received full regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulatory Authority, enters the market with a range of residential and buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage products aimed at supporting borrowers who often face challenges accessing mainstream finance.

This includes people from diaspora communities, foreign nationals, the self-employed and other clients whose circumstances fall outside traditional lending criteria.

As a result of the partnership, Connect appointed representatives will now have access to Afin’s lending solutions, which include options for first-time buyers, home movers, remortgages and BTL investors.

The lender will consider applicants with as little as six months’ UK residency, accept overseas deposits and allow capital raising for purposes such as debt consolidation, property investment and business use.

BTL mortgages are also available to clients who do not currently own a UK property.

Director of mortgages at Connect for Intermediaries, Jane Benjamin, said: "We’re delighted to be one of the few packagers selected to partner with Afin Bank. This partnership strengthens our proposition for advisers who serve clients with more complex profiles, from visa status and overseas income to self-employment and limited UK credit history. Afin Bank’s lending philosophy aligns with our commitment to providing accessible mortgage solutions that meet real-world needs."

Intermediary sales director at Afin Bank, James Briggs: "We’re excited to be working with Connect – an organisation that shares our belief in supporting borrowers who are too often overlooked by mainstream lenders. We’ve designed our criteria around the needs of real people, not just tick-box applications. By partnering with specialist distributors like Connect, we can ensure our mortgages reach the advisers and clients who will benefit from them most."

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