Fleet Mortgages has announced a series of criteria enhancements designed to support a wider range of landlord borrowers and limited company structures.

Among the changes, Fleet has broadened its buy-to-let (BTL) lending criteria to now consider joint applications involving foreign nationals where at least one applicant is a British passport holder, has indefinite leave to remain or settled status.

In addition, Fleet has expanded its limited company lending criteria and will now accept company group structures registered anywhere in the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Brickflow has added HBI Capital to its lender panel, giving brokers direct access to the specialist lender’s bridging and development finance products.

Through the platform, brokers can now access HBI Capital’s proposition via Brickflow.

This includes bridging, development and auction finance from £100,000 to £2m; privately funded, enabled flexible, individually underwritten lending decisions; free in-house valuations on qualifying loans; dual legal representation; and individually underwritten pricing, with rates starting from 1% per month.

Molo has appointed Lynne French as chief operations officer (COO), as it looks to accelerate growth and expand its distribution capability.

She brings extensive operational expertise across the mortgage sector, most recently serving as director of secured lending operations at Chetwood Bank, where she oversaw both of the bank’s lending brands, CHL Mortgage for Intermediaries and Moda Mortgages. She has also held senior roles at Masthaven Bank, Magellan Home Loans and Fleet Mortgages.

In the newly-created COO role, French will be responsible for scaling Molo’s operation platform to support increasing demand for the lender’s products, while also playing a role in maximising Molo’s recent strategic partnerships with OMS and LMS.

Leeds Building Society has extended its support for first-time buyers (FTBs) with its new start mortgage, which addresses the affordability challenges facing aspirational homeowners.

The society is offering borrowers up to 98% LTV and lending up to five times household income, allowing brokers to support more clients to take their first step onto the property ladder.

Its five-year fix is available at 5.65% at a maximum loan of £500,000, with no fee payable upon completion and a free standard valuation.

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