The Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL) has recruited new member Market Financial Solutions.

This takes the ASTL’s membership to 29, just one away from its target of 30 full members, set this time last year, at the beginning of the ASTL’s financial year.

During that time the ASTL has expanded from 23 members to its current membership of 29.

Market Financial Solutions (MFS) provides a range of funding solutions for high net worth individuals, partnerships, SMEs, corporates, professionals, commercial investors, residential developers and institutional backed projects.

MFS funds a range of products including: commercial mortgages, investment property, bridging loans, short term loans, development funding (both commercial loans and residential subdivision loans), land development loans, land loans, joint equity-venture debt and equity financing.

Benson Hersch (pictured), chief executive of the ASTL, said: “Market Financial Solutions is a reputable lender which lends in a number of different areas with a professional approach and a focus on business. Its membership will add to the diversity of the ASTL which is helping to make it such a thriving trade body.

“Our aim continues to be to add value to our members while raising the standards of the bridging industry. All of our members sign up to a Code of Conduct and a Value Charter which should give confidence to brokers and borrowers that they are dealing with a responsible and ethical lender and we welcome other lenders who are willing to operate to these high standards.”

Paresh Raja, CEO of Market Financial Solutions, added: “We have operated in the bridging market for seven years so it was a logical step to join the ASTL as a member to prove to the advisers and borrowers that we deal with that we are a professional and responsible company.

“We value the growing role that the ASTL plays in terms of promoting bridging lending and working with the regulator and the Treasury to help protect all lenders in this sector.”