Connect Services Group has ceased trading and will shortly be going into administration.

According to its automated switchboard message, the group, which includes mortgage administration firm Connect Mortgage Group, has appointed Portland Business and Financial Services Ltd as administrators.

In 2008 Legal & General Mortgage Club unveiled an exclusive partnership with Connect Mortgage Group, whereby Connect’s then-membership of over 600 brokers were transferred to Legal & General Mortgage Club from other distributors.

Ben Thompson, director of mortgages at Legal & General, said that the two firms amicably parted company at the end of 2010. He said: “We no longer have an exclusive relationship with them.””