Afin Bank, which rolled out its products on Tuesday, is aimed at borrowers from the African diaspora and other foreign nationals with an overseas passport and a valid visa to work in the UK. 

It says these groups can struggle to get a mortgage from mainstream lenders because of circumstances such as their visa status or lack of UK credit history. 

The bank says the tie-up “will create a key route to market, offering brokers essential support with case placement and packaging for clients who fall outside traditional lending norms”. 

It adds that its “pragmatic, manual underwriting approach ” is designed to help borrowers who fall outside the standard criteria used by many mainstream providers.  

“This includes individuals with limited UK credit history, such as those living and working in the UK via the visa system, and self-employed applicants with one year’s accounts or forecasted income.” 

Afin Bank intermediary sales director James Briggs (pictured) says: “Norton’s long-standing track record in helping clients access specialist finance makes them an ideal launch partner for Afin Bank. 

“Our mission is to support borrowers who contribute to the UK’s economic and social fabric but are often excluded by rigid mortgage criteria. 

“With Norton’s insight and distribution network, we’ll be able to reach the advisers and clients who will benefit most from a lender that looks at the full picture and not just a credit score.” 

Norton Group co-chief executive Paul Stringer says the lender’s “criteria fills a significant gap for clients who often find themselves overlooked by traditional lenders, whether that’s due to their residency status, credit profile or employment set-up. 

“At Norton, we see these cases every day. Clients with good affordability who just need a lender to look beyond the surface.”