Mortgage and insurance network, Stonebridge, has announced the addition of Connect for Intermediaries to both its referral and packaging panels.

The new partnership will provide more than 1,000 Stonebridge appointed representative (AR) advisers with an additional option to refer their specialist mortgage cases.

Connect has access to over 170 lenders across a range of sectors including commercial, bridging, development finance, business loans, and mortgages for ex-pats and foreign nationals.

Alongside an additional referral option, Stonebridge ARs can also use Connect’s packaging service for specialist mortgage products, covering complex residential scenarios such as self-employed, adverse credit, and non-standard construction, as well as complex buy-to-let cases including HMOs, multi-unit blocks, student lets, and portfolio landlords.

Earlier this year, the parent company of Stonebridge, MSS Group, announced it had acquired a significant stake in Connect, and the group’s addition to Stonebridge’s existing panels is the first example of the two businesses working together.

“We are very pleased to be starting our strategy to work more closely with Connect, which means even greater choice for our members in helping them meet the specific and complex needs of their clients,” commented Stonebridge chief executive, Rob Clifford.

“As the specialist mortgage market continues to develop and grow, it’s important our network firms and advisers have access to the plethora of services which Connect can offer to even further enhance the service they can offer to their clients.

“A key driver of MSS’s investment was the opportunity it provided for both Stonebridge and Connect to partner for the benefit of the intermediary community and end-customers. We anticipate further announcements for the benefit of our members as we further develop both propositions.”

Connect chief executive, Liz Syms, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Stonebridge and enable their ARs to have the additional option of leveraging Connect's specialist knowledge and expertise in the property market. We look forward to working with the Stonebridge ARs and helping them and their clients achieve their property ambitions by providing the best possible finance solution.

“This marks the first step for the Connect and Stonebridge partnership and by working together we are able to develop and strengthen the already market-leading proposition of both networks and drive significant growth.”

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