GB Bank has enhanced its bridging refurbishment finance proposition, designed to help investors and developers unlock the potential of residential and mixed-use assets through flexible funding solutions.

The offering, which provides refurbishment rates from 0.79%, builds on the bank’s bridging proposition and provides funding for light and medium refurbishment projects.

GB Bank can now provide funding for up to 100% of refurbishment costs, subject to criteria, alongside flexible staged drawdowns that align funding with project milestones.

LMS has appointed Ian Robinson as its new CEO on a permanent basis.

He has been with LMS for more than 20 years, and assumed the role of interim CEO when Nick Chadbourne stepped down from the position in June.

Formerly chief operating officer, Robinson is LMS’s longest-serving director, having joined the business in 2006 from Santander. In his previous role, he was responsible for the recruitment, management and operational delivery of law firms, and led the team that manages general conveyancing, supporting 50-plus lenders.

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has completed £9.8m of lending across a 40-property portfolio in the North West, refinancing existing debt and releasing capital to support further acquisitions.

The specialist bank provided two facilities of £7.7m and £2.1m across separate borrowing entities, with the portfolio comprising buy-to-let, semi-commercial and commercial assets, with the majority located in Bolton and Manchester.

With two borrowing entities and a broad mix of assets, the facilities needed to be considered together rather than as standalone applications. HTB worked with the broker ahead of submission to establish the proposed structure and how the wider portfolio would be assessed.

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