Afin Bank expands underwriting team with three hires
James Hollinshead, Jude Miranda and Sanjay Patel have joined the specialist lender, bringing experience in manual underwriting and specialist finance.
Afin Bank has appointed three underwriters to support its continued growth across residential, buy-to-let (BTL) and regulated bridging lending.
James Hollinshead, Jude Miranda and Sanjay Patel have joined the specialist lender, bringing experience in manual underwriting and specialist finance.
Hollinshead has more than 25 years of financial services experience, including first and second line risk roles and commercial underwriting positions at The Co-operative Bank, Yorkshire Building Society and Principality Building Society.
He said: “What appealed to me is that Afin is a small but growing organisation, so there’s an opportunity to build something new and exciting while supporting the provision of niche segments which are typically under-served.
“Lots of lenders are moving to automated approaches to underwriting, necessitating putting everyone and criteria into boxes, but that means a large chunk of the market is not being served properly.
“Joining Afin Bank provides an opportunity to shape a growing lender, work with intermediaries and provide lending products to a diversified customer base.”
Miranda joins from GB Bank and has a 30-year career spanning residential and commercial lending, including roles at Shawbrook Bank, Hampshire Trust Bank, Masthaven Bank and Platform Home Loans.
He said: “There are lots of lenders out there, but they all tend to do the same thing. What stood out for me with Afin is that it is doing something different by filling those criteria gaps – mortgages for foreign nationals, high-net-worth mortgages and 80% LTV regulated bridging.
“The technology is all new as well, so there are no legacy systems that we have to try and make work, so we can create a truly frictionless journey for brokers and their customers. I am looking forward to bringing my experience and know-how as the Bank grows.”
Patel joins from Precise Mortgages, where he worked as an underwriter for more than nine years across residential and buy-to-let mortgages.
He said: “I was very excited to see this role for a specialist underwriter in a bank that still does manual underwriting.
“A lot of customer applications are not simple, so that’s where we need to delve into deeper, to understand their situation and try to find a solution.
“I also liked that Afin is a start-up, so I get to work with brokers and be an important part of the customer journey.”
Jason Oakley, CEO at Afin Bank, added: “I am delighted to welcome three such talented and experienced underwriters to the Afin family.
“Their expertise, knowledge of different lending situations and a real passion for brokers and borrowers will help us deliver on our promise of supporting the growing number of under-served borrowers in the UK.”
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