Furness Building Society has entered into a partnership with residential mortgage lender Gen H in a move designed to broaden access to homeownership for borrowers who often struggle to secure finance through mainstream lenders.

The collaboration is intended to support people facing barriers such as slow-rising or non-traditional incomes, smaller deposits, or affordability constraints, all of which have become more prominent in recent years.

The two lenders said the partnership is built on shared values, with a focus on responsible growth and improving access to the housing market rather than pursuing volume for its own sake.

Simon Broadley (main picture), chief executive of Furness Building Society, said: “We’re really pleased to be partnering with Gen H to help more individuals and families realise their homeownership dreams.

“We’ll be combining our customer-first values with Gen H’s fintech innovation to improve access and choice in the mortgage market.

“This partnership will also enable us to diversify our lending while continuing to deliver excellent value to our members in our North West heartland and across the UK.”

Graham McClelland, chief executive of Gen H, added: “I’m very pleased to announce this partnership because it represents what is possible when mission-aligned lenders collaborate.

“This partnership will enable us to support the borrowers who are too often left behind by the high street and to continue innovating so that we may drive the systemic change we wish to see in the market.

“I look forward to working with the Furness team over the coming years to unlock homeownership for more aspiring homeowners.”