The PUMA for Intermediaries platform — released following a successful pilot — will allow brokers to submit, upload and track all new applications online to enhance efficiency and turnaround times.

Once a case has been uploaded on the portal, users receive automated updates and can track progress in real time.

The bank has emailed its brokers an activation link to access the portal.

Lisa Crane, operations director at HTB (pictured above), said: “Following a hugely successful trial with a number of our introducers, I’m pleased to be able to invite all our brokers to register to use the portal.

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“PUMA for Intermediaries has been created from scratch internally within HTB during the pandemic — nothing stops us in our drive to improve the service we provide to our brokers. 

“I would like to give a shout out and a huge thank you to all the developers, analysts and testers who have worked tirelessly from their bedrooms and kitchen tables to get us to this point.”

Marcus Dussard, sales director at HTB, added: “Our way of doing business is very much about a personalised approach; it’s how we’ve earned our reputation for being a truly specialist and award-winning lender. 

"While the new portal is, of course, a great facilitator to even better turnaround and service, I want our brokers to know that the full team of BDMs, lending managers, lending assessors, underwriters and completions officers are just as accessible as before to discuss and support each case."

Phil Jay, director at Complete FS — a brokerage that was part of the pilot — commented: “We’ve been very impressed with the new portal, how easy it was to set up and use, the quality of the support and documentation, and the way it has enabled us to streamline doing business with HTB.”