Hope Capital and Brightstar Financial have joined the Mortgage Market Alliance, a new body which aims to promote the finance options available to consumers.

The Alliance was founded last February “to drive business to the mortgage market through a programme of consumer information and education”.

Liverpool-based Hope Capital says it plans “to contribute to education campaigns about the availability of property finance, including bridging finance, and its uses for a diverse range of consumers”.

The bridging loan specialist adds: “The call to action for these campaigns will always be that consumers should seek professional advice with the hope this will help to grow the potential of the intermediary market.”

Hope Capital chief executive Jonathan Sealey says: “Educating brokers and borrowers about the specialist finance market is essential, especially at a time where the industry is maturing and growing to help those looking to access fast finance.”

Billericay-based specialist distributor Brightstar Financial, which covers such areas as later life lending, buy-to-let and development finance, hopes the new body will widen finance options in the industry.

Brightstar Financial head of marketing Michelle Westley says: “Joining the Mortgage Market Alliance was a natural choice for Brightstar as we have campaigned for years about the diverse options available for consumers and the importance of professional advice.

“By collaborating with other businesses, we will have a louder voice and will hopefully help even more consumers to access the most appropriate lending for their circumstances and objectives.”

Mortgage Market Alliance director Rob Griffiths says: “We’ve received a huge amount of interest from new members in recent weeks and we are working hard on a programme of research, reports and events that ensure we deliver a collaborative and ongoing campaign of consumer PR and education.”

Last month, Castle Trust Bank joined the Mortgage Market Alliance as a founder member. The bank, which began as a specialist lender in 2012, offers loans for a variety of investments, including holiday lets, portfolio loans and property refurbishment.

The Mortgage Market Alliance was founded by Griffiths and Alex Hammond who have both have worked in public relations for mortgage firms for over a decade.

The pair insist that the Alliance is not a trade body, but will seek to “promote the UK mortgage industry, raise awareness and understanding among consumers about the range of options available, and highlight the importance of advice”.