The newly-formed F4B Network has added Metro Bank to its lending panel.

It gives the network’s members access to the challenger bank’s range of residential and buy-to-let mortgages. 

The group was set up by specialist distributor First 4 Bridging in February due to “demand from intermediary introducers”. 

It aims to provide members with full compliance support and a tech package, which includes remote file checking, research tools and access to a CRM system. 

The network says it will “continue to assemble a wide-ranging lending panel consisting of mainstream, buy-to-let, specialist and short-term finance lenders, plus an array of protection and general insurance providers”. 

Metro Bank has extended its operations this year, including partnering with Churchill Expert to offer small business insurance in February, launching a near-prime mortgage range in March and extending its 95% product range to include remortgages in May. 

The lender has also tripled its buy-to-let assured shorthold tenancy to 36 months and increased income multiples for its professional and high earner borrowers to 5.5 times income. 

F4B Network commercial director Steve Swyny says: “Metro Bank has been one of the most active lenders over the past 12 to 18 months in terms of broadening its intermediary proposition and diversifying its product range.

“As a relatively new network offering, it’s vital for us to offer our members access to the type of lenders and service values which can add real value to their clients and their business. 

“Metro Bank has made significant advances from a technology perspective and the strength of its support network will prove crucial for our advisers in the second half of 2021 and beyond.”

Metro Bank head of corporate relationships Jeremy Cook adds that tie-up will offer “more brokers and their customers access to Metro Bank’s growing range of mortgage products.”