Loughborough Building Society has launched a range of new, intermediary-focused affordability calculators, developed in response to broker feedback. The society has teamed up with Provident IT to develop web-based tools offering affordability calculations across its range of residential and buy-to-let mortgages. The calculators were developed in collaboration with selected intermediary partners, ensuring the inclusion of key broker-friendly features and functionalities. The tools respond in real-time, offering immediate affordability assessments, allowing brokers to test hypothetical scenarios before final submission. The calculator includes specialist lending products such as shared ownership, lending in retirement, high-income multiples and self-build, in addition to the lender’s standard residential offerings, while the buy-to-let calculator covers let-to-buy, family buy-to-let and holiday buy-to-let, alongside the society’s standard BTL product. Provident IT is also developing a joint borrower sole proprietor calculator for the society, which is expected to be completed later this year.

Gareth Jones has been appointed as chief risk officer at Atom bank, replacing Chris Sparks, who is retiring after nine years at the bank. Jones joins from Atom bank The Co-Operative Bank, where he worked for 26 years, most recently chief risk officer. Over the course of his career, he has undertaken a range of roles across product, strategy, finance and risk management. As part of the role, Jones will ensure that Atom bank maintains and further enhances its risk management culture, which has been part of the lender’s growth since it launched.

CHL Mortgages has launched a limited edition of two- and five-year fixed rate BTL products. The new range features two-year fixed rates starting from 3.95% and five-year fixed rates starting from 4.99%. The lender said the range is suitable for individual, limited company and HMO/MUFB landlords. All products are available up to 75% LTV, with a choice of 2% or 5%. The lender has also recently announced that it was cutting rates across its entire BTL range to help brokers support even more of its landlord clients in achieving a suitable deal.

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