Afin Bank, the new entrant to the UK mortgage market backed by African reinsurer WAICA Re, has announced a partnership with fintech provider Nivo to support its intermediary communication ahead of its full launch later this year.

The challenger bank, which received its Authorisation with Restrictions (AwR) from the PRA in October 2024, is targeting underserved communities including foreign nationals from Africa and diaspora groups living and working in the UK. Many of these borrowers face barriers to mainstream lending due to issues such as visa status or lack of domestic credit history.

In preparation for its launch, Afin Bank has opted to integrate Nivo’s broker-facing solution to streamline and simplify communication with intermediaries. The system consolidates all messaging, document collection and case tracking into a single channel, aiming to replace traditional email exchanges which can be slow and fragmented.

Alan Davison (pictured), chief commercial officer at Afin Bank, said: “This partnership with Nivo highlights Afin Bank’s commitment to brokers and underserved borrowers. We’re building a lender from the ground up and that means selecting the best technology to support them.

“Nivo’s messaging-first platform means brokers don’t have to learn a new system and it fits neatly with how they already work. It’s fast, intuitive and removes the pain points of traditional portals that make brokers bristle.”

The move reflects a growing trend among specialist lenders to improve broker experience and reduce friction during the mortgage application process. Nivo’s platform facilitates all communication from initial enquiry to full packaging, using a secure, structured messaging interface that is already familiar to many brokers.

Matthew Elliott, founder of Nivo, said: “Brokers don’t want to juggle multiple logins, learn new interfaces, or be forced into using rigid workflows. Email persists because it’s the path of least resistance, but with Nivo, brokers get the best of both worlds; a seamless, structured messaging experience that feels as simple as email but without the inefficiencies.”

Afin Bank will join a network of lenders already using Nivo’s core infrastructure, making it instantly available to hundreds of brokers who use the system daily. The solution includes a shared action list, offering brokers and underwriters a clear overview of document status and outstanding tasks in one place.

While some lenders have introduced proprietary portals to tackle communication bottlenecks, brokers often resist adopting additional platforms that disrupt their existing workflows. Nivo’s approach aims to overcome that resistance by offering a more conversational and adaptable experience.

Davison added: “Our goal is to remove barriers, make processes simpler and deliver an experience that brokers prefer, helping them to help their customers. With Nivo we’re ensuring that brokers can work seamlessly while maintaining security, compliance and efficiency. It’s the best way to enter the market with a broker-friendly proposition.”

WAICA Re, the West African insurance group backing the venture, has committed £62m to the bank’s establishment. Once fully operational, Afin Bank will offer residential and buy-to-let mortgages, along with FSCS-protected savings accounts.