Offa has launched a new bridge-to-let finance service, combining with the firm’s paperless buy-to-let (BTL) product. The Islamic finance firm said that acquiring bridging and BTL finance separately can take months, but by combining them, the process can take weeks, depending on credit rating and risk criteria. Customers avoid double-application fees for bridge and BTL, paying a flat £495 bridge-to-let fee instead, and they save 0.5% on BTL arrangement fees. There is no minimum term on the bridge products. The service is also available to anyone purchasing property in England and Wales aged 18 and over with a minimum income of £18,000 and with a minimum property value of £80,000.

Gatehouse Bank has reduced rates across its two- and five-year fixed BTL purchase plans for UK residents by up to 0.20% The changes apply to all standard and green two- and five-year products for new existing customers, including for those seeking finance for HMOs and MUFBs. On Gatehouse’s 80% LTV BTL two- and five-year products, rate start from 5.64% and 5.90% respectively. Meanwhile, its 75% LTV HMO/MUFB products are available from 5.79% on a two-year fix and 6.04% as a five-year fix.

Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) has appointed David Wright to lead a new exit consulting service to help advisers looking to sell their business. He brings a track record in financial services and merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in particular. He joins SBG from global reinsurance firm, Compre Group, where he held the role of senior M&A associate. He also worked as M&A associate at One Four Nine Group and spent four years with Ernst & Young. His appointment comes as SBG looks to launch a new exit consulting proposition aimed at supporting directly authorised advice firms at every stage of the sales journey.

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