IMLA welcomes three building societies as new members

Association membership up to 64

IMLA welcomes three building societies as new members

The Cumberland Building Society, Saffron Building Society, and Melton Building Society have become the latest members of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA).

The IMLA is a trade association that represents the views and interests of UK mortgage lenders involved in the generation of mortgage business through professional financial intermediaries.

The Cumberland, founded in 1850, offers residential and commercial mortgages across mainland UK. It also specialises in areas such as holiday lets and other hospitality lending industries. Saffron Building Society, a mutual society founded in 1849, provides a range of residential and buy-to-let products. Meanwhile, founded in 1875, Melton Building Society serves over 40,000 members with mortgage, insurance and savings services.

The addition of the three building societies means IMLA now has a total of 50 full and 14 associate members, including banks, building societies, and specialist lenders.

David Robinson, head of intermediary lending, will be Cumberland’s appointed IMLA representative, along with Tony Hall, head of mortgage Sales at Saffron, and Dan Atkinson, head of intermediaries at Melton Mowbray.

“We are delighted to be joining IMLA as members. We recognise the value IMLA brings to its members, and it will provide us with significant opportunities to collaborate with the industry, especially as we expand our distribution in the intermediary market,” Robinson said. “We look forward to taking part in engagements, and meeting with its wider membership over the coming months.”

Meanwhile, Hall said that as Saffron is a lender that is wholly reliant on mortgage intermediaries for its distribution, it is important that it remains connected and engaged with the constantly changing market.

“Joining IMLA – as a trusted trade body representing the views and interests of UK mortgage lenders operating in the UK mortgage intermediary market – was an obvious choice for the society and will help us to future proof our services in partnership with our peers and trusted advisors,” Hall explained.

Atkinson also stressed Melton’s commitment to supporting the intermediary market.

“We relish the opportunity to collaborate with the members of IMLA to collectively make a difference in the industry. Melton Building Society has a range of niche products, and we look forward to bringing a new voice to the table,” Atkinson said.

Kate Davies, executive director at IMLA, welcomed the addition of the three building societies to the association.

“We are delighted to welcome The Cumberland Building Society, Saffron Building Society and Melton Building Society into membership and look forward to hearing more from their teams at our upcoming engagements. All three building societies have an enduring reputation in the lending industry, and the association will no doubt benefit from their extensive knowledge,” Davies said.