LiveMore Capital has announced that it has set up a social bond framework as part of its ESG strategy. Social bonds are used to finance projects which address social issues, providing investors with the opportunity to invest in positive social change. LiveMore said its social bond framework has been developed based on the rules of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), which promotes the sustainable development of the international capital and securities markets. The framework is supported by a second-party opinion by ISS Corporate Solutions Limited, certifying that LiveMore’s mortgage portfolio is a socially sustainable investment.

Spring Finance has announced the appointment of Wayne Fitzpatrick as a senior underwriter within the bridging team. Fitzpatrick is joining the firm from Market Financial Solutions and has particular experience within the non-regulated bridging space. Since launching into bridging last year, Spring now has a range of specialist bridging products which includes regulated and non-regulated loans, first and second charges, complex credit, heavy renovation and light development. The firm has reported increasing demand for non-regulated loans in particular and said that Fitzpatrick can add “strong support” to this growing area.

Accord Mortgages has announced more rate reductions to its buy-to-let mortgage range. The intermediary-only lender has cut rates across its range by up to 0.24% to support landlords who are struggling to maintain affordability and rental yields in the current volatile market environment. The lender is now offering a two-year fixed rate at 5.71%, which is down from 5.93%, up to 75% LTV, as well as a five-year fix at 5.00%, down from was 5.24%, up to 65% LTV.

Foundation Home Loans has announced price reductions across its owner-occupier and buy-to-let (BTL) product ranges. In its owner-occupier range, the specialist lender has made rate reductions of up to 150 basis points to its core fixed rate offering. The lender has also improved the rate on its owner-occupier green ABC+ product for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C and above. This is now priced at 6.44%, having previously been 7.89%. Foundation suggested this change was to provide a further saving for homeowners who were seeking to finance or refinance qualifying properties. On its BTL offering, Foundation has also made rate reductions of up to 180 basis points across its current five-year green product range – again for properties with an EPC rating of C and above.

OSB Group has announced that Louise Halliwell has joined the specialist bank in a new role as group savings director. Halliwell has over 25 years’ experience within the financial services sector and is joining OSB Group from Bank North, where she had worked as savings director since October 2021. She will have responsibility for all savings propositions and will report into Jon Hall, whose role has been broadened to become group managing director, mortgages and savings.

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