Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has appointed Joseph Lethbridge as a new business development manager (BDM). In his new role, Lethbridge will join BDM for the City of London and West End, Danny Kiely, to further enhance broker relationships as well as introduce new intermediaries to HTB’s proposition. He joins from Shawbrook Bank, where he was internal BDM. He also has experience as a case manager and lending officer, bringing and understanding of complex mortgage cases to the new role. HTB said that the appointment reaffirms its commitment to delivering the “highest possible standards” of support to intermediaries.

Aspen Bridging has completed a £4.65m residential purchase bridge for a foreign national on a super-prime property in Chelsea Harbour. Completed at 55% LTV, the lender utilised its remote signing and witnessing agreements for international clients, as well as a translator, to ensure the funds were available on the day required for the high-net-worth overseas applicant. The property is a luxury triplex penthouse apartment covering 5,000 sq ft over floors eight, nine and 10 of a modern new-build tower, with five bedrooms and five terraces measuring 2,000 sq ft overlooking the River Thames, Albert Bridge and the City of London. The deal was completed on Aspen’s flat rate at 0.92% per month over 12 months and the exit will be via a buy-to-let mortgage.

Virgin Money has launched a range of new BTL product transfer fixed rate deals. The product includes two-year fixed rates from 4.84% at 60% LTV and 5.14% at 75% LTV, while five-year products are priced at 4.61% and 4.81%. All these products come with a £3,995 fee. New BTL product transfer tracker deals have also been launched with two-year fixed rates starting at 5.79% up to 60% LTV and 6.21% at 75% LTV, both with a £1,995 fee. Virgin has also increased selected rates across its existing residential range, with rates now starting from 4.38% on selected product transfers, while remortgage products have increased by 0.10% to 4.79%.

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