Afin Bank has increased its maximum LTV to 95% on its prime and professional mortgages, while also cutting existing rates by up to 100 bps across both ranges. The lender said the changes have been made to help more underserved borrowers, such as the self-employed, professionals and foreign nationals living and working in the UK. As a result, its prime range now starts from 6.39% and 6.49% as a two- and five-year fix respectively, while its professional two- and five-year fixes start from 6.24% and 6.34% respectively, all at 95% LTV.

Shane Wright has been appointed chief technology officer (CTO) at Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG). In the newly created the role, he will focus on driving the group’s technology and data strategy, while accelerating SBG’s transformation. Wright brings more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership to the role, after co-founding two SaaS businesses and leading global engineering teams. He has built platforms processing billons of transactions and developed new revenue streams through product innovation.

Newcastle for Intermediaries has announced reductions of up to 0.30% across its self-employed mortgage range, replacing its existing proposition with products designed specifically to support customers who have been trading for less than two years. The revised range includes two-year fixed rate options up to 80% LTV for both house purchase and remortgage, and introduces a fee-assisted alternative to support borrowers with upfront costs. Newcastle for Intermediaries said that the new products reflect its flexible lending criteria intended to broaden access for self-employed clients while maintaining its commitment to ensuring responsible and sustainable lending.

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