The specialist bank, which focuses on supporting UK based small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has appointed Colin Bell (pictured) as managing director of commercial mortgages and Anna Lewis as head of production.

Mark Sismey-Durrant, chief executive officer at Hampshire Trust Bank, said: “We believe there are a wealth of opportunities available to us in the commercial and buy-to-let mortgage sectors.

“As a new challenger bank, we do not have the legacy issues experienced by some of the older banks, [and] we are able to offer the flexible financing solutions and specialist expertise that British businesses and buy-to-let investors need in order to grow,” he said.

The mortgage range is set to launch later this year.

Bell has 20 years’ experience in the mortgage sector and has worked for OneSavings Bank Group and InterBay Commercial, which he also founded.

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He said he ‘relished’ the opportunity to join Hampshire Trust Bank as the SME lending market remains underserved by true specialist lenders.

Lewis has been in the industry for 13 years, and also joins the challenger bank from Interbay Commercial.

“This is a great time to join and be part of a successful specialist bank, with the opportunity to set up and grow the commercial and buy-to-let department,” she said.