Paragon Bank has appointed Louisa Sedgwick to the role of managing director of its mortgage division. She has worked since the bank since April 2023, having most recently worked as commercial director of mortgages, overseeing the restructuring of the mortgages sales function and product offering, bolstering its focus on networks and clubs. Sedgwick brings over 30 years’ experience to the role and has worked at firms including Hampshire Trust Bank, Vida, Leeds Building Society and Bradford & Bingley.

Atom bank has made a number of improvements to its maximum loan-to-income (LTI) ratio and loan-to-value (LTV) limits in a move which aims to deliver greater support to aspiring homeowners. The rate of house price growth in recent years has made getting onto the housing ladder ever more challenging for first-time buyers, as incomes have not increased at the same pace. To address this, Atom has increased maximum LTIs for employed applicants with an annual income of £75,000 or more. For loans at 90% LTV or less, the bank will now lend up to six times the applicant’s income, while for those looking to borrow at above 90% LTV, Atom will lend up to 5.5 times the applicant’s income.

Buy to Let by Foundation has announced a full product range reprice including rate reductions by up to 30 bps. These price cuts cover a wide range of core products. These include two and five-year EPC saver products, which come with a free EPC plus document detailing key information on the property, plus £1,000 cashback, which have been recued by 10 bps, now starting at 5.84% up to 75% LTV. The lender’s five-year fee-assisted remortgage-only products now start from 5.84% up to 75% LTV and comes with a £1,295 fee and £500 cashback. The limited edition five-year product now starts at 5.69% and comes with a £4,995 fee, while its holiday let two- and five-year fixed rates are available from 6.34% up to 70% LTV with a 2% fee.

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