United Trust Bank has launched a new bridging portal for brokers, providing a quicker route to decisions, decisions in principle and completions.

Through the new portal, brokers can generate indicative terms and ESIS documents in minutes, with no paper application forms or wet signatures needed.

Simple case management includes easy document upload, information request notifications and underwriter messaging designed to keep cases moving, with integrated free HomeTrack AVMs and automatic free credit checks via Equifax.

The Equity Release Council has appointed John Godfrey as its new chair.

He brings more than four decades of experience to the role, having held senior leadership positions across financial services, government and public policy, including as head of the No.10 policy unit.

He succeeds David Burrowes, who will step down as chair in October, following nine years in the role.

Specialist Hub has chosen One Mortgage System (OMS) as its customer relationship management (CRM) provider.

The partnership follows an extensive review by Specialist Hub of its systems, and by using OMS as its core CRM platform, it will be able to hold all client information in one place, link data across systems, and support a more streamlined process for customers.

Specialist Hub offers access to a range of solutions, including secured loans, mortgages, bridging finance and commercial finance.

ONP Solicitors has collaborated with iampropery Group and Connells Group, after recently completing a property transaction in six days from receipt of the draft contract pack.

The six-bedroom, five-bathroom terraced property in Swansea was purchase via the iampropery method of auction service, marking the partnership’s fastest completion of a mortgage finance transaction.

ONP acted on behalf of both the purchaser and the mortgage lender, which alone required three days’ notice to release the funds.

---