Pepper Money has introduced enhancements to its customer and broker journey by introducing a paperless application journey for second charge mortgages. The changes are in response to feedback from customers and partners, with the aim of streamlining the process of a “smoother” application experience. Previously, customers were required to print, complete, sign and return an application form and I&E upon submission, which created delays in the application journey. To speed things up, Pepper has replaced the application form and I&E form with a new application summary and declaration, with customers no longer required to sign and return any documents prior to offer.

The OneFamily Group has appointed Holly Ewing to the role of distribution director for its Beagle Street and OneFamily brands. She will join the mutual on 29 July, subject to regulatory approval. As part of the role, Ewing will be responsible for widening the company’s intermediary distribution and driving new business to support the group’s focus on growth in the protection space. She joins from Aviva, where she worked as head of intermediary distribution, and has also previously worked as head of intermediary sales at AIG.

Skipton Building Society has reduced rates across its mortgage product range. Changes include reductions across the lender’s 60% and 75% LTV fixed rate residential purchase and remortgage products. The biggest reduction has been made to Skipton’s two-year fixed purchase 60% LTV no fee product, which has been cut by 0.33%, now starting at 4.99%. Furthermore, the lender has cut its five-year remortgage 75% LTV product, with a £1,295 fee, by 0.12% to 4.59%, while the two-year fixed remortgage 60% LTV product with a £495 fee starts from 4.99%, having been cut by 0.20%.

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