It has announced it will be launching a webchat through its broker portal and creating additional criteria to improve the process for brokers helping professional contractors.

UTB is also offering a limited edition second charge product which will assist customers with historic payments on unsecured credit items.

These come just after the bank revealed the first elements of its #BrokerSummerSupportPackage campaign in July – a move to help brokers write more business during these challenging times.

It increased the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) from 65% to 75% for self-employed borrowers and allowed 50% of regular additional income to be included in calculations.

Mike Walters, sales director- property intermediaries at United Trust Bank said: “We’ve had a tremendously positive response from brokers to our #BrokerSummerSupportPackage.

“The increase of our maximum LTV for self-employed applicants certainly caused a stir in the marketplace and we’re hoping that these latest criteria and technology enhancements will be equally well received.”

He added: “We know how important choice, speed and simplicity can be when placing specialist mortgage cases so we’re constantly reviewing our lending criteria and pushing boundaries with our implementation of smart FinTech solutions.

“Brokers are vital to the growth and success of the specialist mortgage market and we will do all we can to support them as they try to turn around a very challenging year.”

Webchat for real-time broker

The latest digital enhancement from UTB is the launch of webchat function within its existing broker portal.

It will allow any registered mortgage brokers to submit new enquiries to the bank online in real-time with immediate access to mandated underwriters.

The system also enables brokers to discuss existing cases and supply information to UTB which would usually be passed by phone or email.

Specific criteria for professional contractors

UTB has introduced specific mortgage lending criteria for professional contractors working in industries such as IT, healthcare, business management and other sectors where six , 12, and 18-month contracts are common.

Previously UTB included these types of roles within ‘self-employed’ criteria but the bank expects this move will give brokers more clarity when advising and recommending a UTB product for professional contractors.

 ‘Limited Edition’ second charge product

UTB has also launched a ‘limited edition’ near prime second charge product for customers with historic unsecured payment ‘blips’ providing that the debts concerned are consolidated in the new loan.