Afin Bank has promoted Rob Lankey to chief commercial officer, with responsibility for the specialist lender’s lending strategy and sales team.
Lankey (pictured) joined Afin as director of credit during its launch phase last year, before becoming national sales director at the start of this year as the bank expanded its sales team with the appointment of several business development managers.
In his new role, Lankey will help shape the bank’s growth strategy as it seeks to support borrowers who may not fit mainstream lending criteria, including the self-employed, workers with multiple incomes, qualified professionals, high-net-worth clients and foreign nationals working in the UK.
Lankey said: “Afin Bank is needed more now than ever as the bigger providers become even more restrictive with their affordability criteria, leaving many customers struggling to find a lender that understands their circumstances and can offer them the kind of mortgage they need.
“This is the perfect opportunity to bring all my experience and expertise together to help brokers support their clients by offering the right mortgage products, personalised underwriting and high standards of customer service.”
Lankey has more than 35 years’ experience in credit, operations and commercial roles in the mortgage industry, with a particular focus on the intermediary market.
He has been involved in the start-up or early stages of six banks and lenders, including Aldermore, and has served as chief executive of the NACFB.
Jason Oakley, chief executive officer at Afin Bank, said: “Rob’s knowledge of mortgage lending and his understanding of the needs of both our broker partners and our customers has been vital in helping get Afin to where we are today.
“I am delighted that he has been promoted to chief commercial officer because it reflects his hard work so far and means he will continue to help shape the bank and drive our lending forward as Afin continues to grow.”
