UTB Mortgages for Intermediaries has announced the appointment of Barry Luhmann as head of buy-to-let as the bank prepares to launch a new suite of products into the buy-to-let sector.

Luhmann will head up a new buy-to-let team, as an extension of the Bank’s existing residential mortgage and second charge loan offering.

Luhmann has held senior positions with lenders including Trussle Lab, Lloyds Banking Group and BlackRock European Mortgage Strategies. Most recently he was an independent consultant working with various clients in the mortgage space to develop and deliver new technology, processes and offerings.

This move comes as UTB continues to develop its Mortgages for Intermediaries proposition with buy-to-let joining the established residential mortgage and second charge loan products, aimed at customers who aren’t best served by mainstream lenders.

Buster Tolfree, director of mortgages, United Trust Bank, said: “We’ve really shaken up the specialist end of the Mortgage market with our first and second charge residential products and launching into the buy-to-let market is a natural next move. Barry brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience to the team, and I’m delighted to have him on board.

“The new buy-to-let products will be typical of UTB; common sense underwriting and accessible criteria packaged up in a digital first process. We’ll utilise our existing application platform offering cutting edge digital processes supported by skilled and knowledgeable staff dedicated to ensuring applications are processed quickly and smoothly. We will continue to work closely with our valued Introducers about the things we can do to help them write more buy-to-let and other mortgage business and you can expect more exciting news from UTB Mortgages throughout 2022.”

Luhmann added: “UTB has established a strong reputation for offering great products with outstanding service and technology providing first class speed and ease of interaction. I’m looking forward to leading UTB Mortgages for Intermediaries into the buy-to-let market whilst upholding those same very high standards. I’ll be making team appointment announcements in due course and sharing product details as we approach launch. Watch this space.”