Fake subsidiary, Aldermore International, also known as AI International, is believed to have been targeting UK customers looking for investment advice and deals. The clone firm was not authorised by the regulator and was not listed in Companies House.
By contrast, the real Aldermore Bank is authorised by the FCA and has become a significant intermediary mortgage lender since it was established in 2009.
Aldermore Mortgages managing director Charles Haresnape said: “We became aware of a website that purported to be linked to Aldermore but in fact had no such connection.
“As part of the process of protecting consumers we have sites such as this removed and we inform our regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who in turn publish a notice.
“As the FCA notice makes clear this website is using a similar name to Aldermore’s authorised name, but has no association whatsoever with Aldermore.”
Aldermore Bank is named after the Alder tree, known to thrive where others fail.
The owner of the clone firm’s website, aldermoreinternational.com, has now removed it. However, Mortgage Solutions uncovered a previous copy of the homepage offering advice on wealth management among other services.
