Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has unveiled plans to expand into commercial mortgages and has recruited Colin Bell as Managing Director of the division.

Colin, the former Product & New Business Director of One Savings Bank has almost 20 years’ experience in the mortgage sector and was Director of Products and New Business for Kent Reliance, InterBay Commercial and Prestige, which are all part of the OneSavings Bank Group. Colin acted as CEO of InterBay for 10 years.

In the meantime, Anna Lewis, who also worked at Interbay as Sales Manager, has joined Hampshire Trust Bank as Head of Production.

While the challenger bank currently offers SME finance, it will expand into commercial and buy-to-let mortgages later this year, with other specialist mortgages lending lines to follow.

“We believe there are a wealth of opportunities available to us in the commercial and buy-to-let mortgage sectors,” commented Mark Sismey-Durrant, Chief Executive Officer at Hampshire Trust Bank.

“As a new challenger bank, we do not have the legacy issues experienced by some of the older banks, 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.

“We are delighted to welcome Colin and Anna on board and are looking forward to continuing to grow the commercial mortgage team over the coming year and beyond.”

Talking about why he decided to join Hampshire Trust Bank, Colin said: “I am delighted to be joining HTB to set up and run the commercial mortgage division at such an exciting time for the bank.

“I found the business culture, attitude and approach an ideal fit and am looking forward to developing the products, teams and distribution channels to ensure we have a successful launch and provide a positive contribution to the already successful bank.”

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

“I am also delighted to be back working alongside Colin, who I have worked with for many years. We are both looking forward to the challenge and are ready to hit the ground running.”