Envelop has reported a “substantial” uplift in the amount of longer-term specialist business written over the past 12 months as it celebrates the first anniversary of its rebrand from First 4 Bridging (F4B).

During this trading period, the packager has noted a 37% increase in specialist buy-to-let business, a 31% rise in commercial mortgages and an 18% growth in secured loans. Focusing on the specialist buy-to-let uplift, within this, a high number of applications have emerged from first-time buyers/first-time landlords and for HMOs.

Envelop has also remained active in the bridging and development finance sectors over this period.

The rebrand to Envelop from F4B in September 2022 reflected its growing level of enquiries involving complex residential transactions, buy-to-let, second charge, commercial term loans and development finance.

Donna Wells (pictured), managing director at Envelop, said: “The specialist mortgage market has dominated purchase and refinancing activity so far in 2023 and it comes as no surprise to see such an uplift in those longer-term specialist products. A turbulent economic climate has resulted in a variety of borrowing scenarios becoming even more complex and mainstream lenders continue to demonstrate that they don’t have the risk appetite, capacity and/or inclination to meet these changing needs.”

“These growing business volumes demonstrate just how vital it is for brokers to be comfortable advising on many differing, and often multifaceted, forms of finance. Or at the very least have a trusted packaging partner in place to deliver the solutions that can make a real difference for both new and existing clients.

“The past 12 months have seen our core introducers fully embrace the new brand and it has also worked to attract many new intermediary partners who had not worked with us before but who have swiftly become a regular fixture. Our goal for the next year is to build on this momentum and deliver some ambitious growth targets that we have in place for the business.”