Scottish Building Society has expanded its mortgage lending across mainland UK, providing brokers in England and Wales access to a wider intermediary offering.

Through its expansion, the society will combine standard mortgages with specialist lending for clients who do not fit conventional criteria.

The move builds on Scottish Building Society’s existing mortgage offering in Scotland and the North of England, and responds to growing broker demand for lenders "willing to take a broader view of affordability", particularly for clients with assets, pensions or accumulated wealth that earned income doesn’t reflect.

Alongside its expansion into England and Wales, the society has also launched a professional mortgage offering of up to six times income for eligible applicants.

It said the product is particularly relevant in London and the South of England, where high property values and demanding affordability tests can leave professional borrowers short of the lending they need.

Chief operating officer at Scottish Building Society, Chris Hunter, stated: "Entering the England and Wales market is a significant step for the Society and reflects growing demand for more flexible mortgage options that help borrowers access the right product for their circumstances.

"Clients do not always fit the boxes lenders build for them. We have built our proposition around giving brokers more choice, backed by nearly two centuries of mutual heritage and mortgage underwriting experience and a market-leading approach to technology, through MSO originations software."

The society’s mortgage channels and platforms lead, Stephen Brown, added: "Assets, pensions and accumulated wealth can tell a fuller story about a client's financial strength than income alone, and that is the gap our specialist lending is designed to fill.

"By taking a more individual view of affordability, we can help brokers support more clients whose circumstances are strong but do not fit a standard lending model."

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