Stonebridge’s appointed representative (AR) advisers, which number at over 1,000, will have an “additional option” to refer specialist mortgage cases.
The ARs will also be able to use Connect’s full packaging service for specialist mortgage products, as well as access to semi-exclusive and exclusive products from specialist residential and buy-to-let lenders.
Connect has access to over 170 lenders, which cover commercial, bridging, development finance, business loans, and mortgages for expats and foreign nationals.
Earlier this year, MSS Group, which is the parent company of Stonebridge, acquired a significant stake in Connect.
Stonebridge and Connect making a connection
Rob Clifford, chief executive of Stonebridge, said it was pleased to be starting its strategy to work more closely with Connect, which gave “greater choice” to its members for specialist cases.
He added: “We truly believe our members will benefit from the specialist knowledge and expertise the team at Connect has forged over many years.
“As the specialist mortgage market continues to develop and grow, it’s important our network firms and advisers have access to the plethora of services which Connect can offer to even further enhance the service they can offer to their clients.”
Clifford noted that a “key driver” of MSS’ investment was the opportunity it provided for both Stonebridge and Connect to partner, which would benefit the intermediary community and end-customers, and said that further announcements would be made.
Liz Syms, chief executive of Connect for Intermediaries, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Stonebridge and enable their ARs to have the additional option of leveraging Connect’s specialist knowledge and expertise in the property market.
“We look forward to working with the Stonebridge ARs and helping them and their clients achieve their property ambitions by providing the best possible finance solution.
“Connect can provide Stonebridge ARs with referral services for commercial, bridging, development finance, and packaging services for more complex buy-to-let and complex residential cases.”
She added: “This marks the first step for the Connect and Stonebridge partnership and by working together we are able to develop and strengthen the already market-leading proposition of both networks and drive significant growth.”
