Mortgage and protection brokerage, Access Financial Services (Access FS), has announced a semi-exclusive distribution partnership with Afin Bank, a new lender set to launch later this year.

The move will see Access FS distribute mortgage loans on behalf of Afin Bank, targeting under-served African and other foreign national diaspora communities in the UK.

Afin Bank will provide residential mortgages for first-time buyers, home movers and remortgages, as well as buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages for UK-based borrowers investing in UK property.

“It’s fantastic to be working alongside Access FS to bring accessible, high-quality mortgage products to the African and other diaspora communities, as well as other specialist borrowers,” intermediary sales director at Afin Bank, James Briggs, commented.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to addressing the financial barriers faced by these communities, offering them the opportunity to achieve homeownership or invest in the UK property market.

“Afin Bank’s launch will mark a significant step toward inclusive lending, with Access FS at the forefront of delivering these vital financial services to clients across the UK.”

Access FS mortgage sales and marketing director, Nick Jones, added: “Many professional Africans in the UK, working in the in sectors such as health or finance, for example, don’t get the support they need from mainstream lenders when they’re trying to buy a home. Nearly nine in 10 Africans in the UK say they have been turned down for a mortgage.

“By partnering with [Afin Bank], combining their lending and our distribution – we even have protection advisers who work for the NHS – we’re going to help more Africans turn homeownership dreams into reality.”

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