Metro Bank announces Scottish expansion

Challenger bank Metro Bank has today announced that from 5 April it will expand its mortgage business into Scotland, both direct — through its seven-day-a-week mortgage helpline — and via brokers.

Scottish homeowners will be able to access the same ranges and rates offered to customers in England and Wales, as well as the bank’s no-hassle switching service and its market-leading approach to rewarding customer loyalty.

Research commissioned by Metro Bank, which currently has no branches in Scotland, into the Scottish mortgage market has found that among Scottish respondents, only one in five (21 per cent) believe lenders are doing enough to help people get on the housing ladder. Additionally, when looking to buy a home, only 18 per cent of Scots would stick with their current bank, while over half (56 per cent) would shop around.

Overseeing the Scottish market will be Neil McLeod, the bank’s business development manager for Scotland. Prior to joining Metro Bank in January, McLeod spent over three years as a BDM at Halifax. He began his career at Bank of Scotland, where he spent five years in the retail and mortgage business.

Craig Donaldson, CEO at Metro Bank said: “Since we launched our mortgage business back in 2011, we have had great success supporting borrowers and brokers across both England and Wales. Our wide range of products, alongside a case-by-case approach to underwriting and unrivalled levels of service has proved to be a winning formula and set us apart from other lenders. With our research showing that over half of Scots would consider switching to another lender, I’m excited about entering the Scottish market.”

The bank said it prides itself on its ability to support brokers and customers with both regular and complex lending requirements.

Its products range from joint-borrower sole-proprietor mortgages, particularly relevant for those looking to get their foot onto the property ladder, to top-slicing for landlords in need of a more flexible approach to assessing income.