A specialist lender to the property market has opened its first office outside of the capital.
Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Group, will be based in Spinninghfields, Manchester processing deals from initial enquiry through to credit and underwriting.
A senior team, including a credit manager, will be moving from the London office complementing an existing team.
The lending criteria in the North will be tailored to the region and Octopus Real Estate will now consider loans from just £75,000.
Octopus said Manchester was chosen due to its transport links and its status as a ‘second city.’
It said the Spinningfields office will provide a hub to serve brokers in the region through dedicated external business development managers.
Chris Timms, head of sales for the North, at Octopus Real Estate, said: “Having worked closely with our loyal broker network in the North for several years we have listened to what they want from a lender.
“We have responded by opening an office in Manchester to fully support them. This has been something we have wanted to do for several years and it’s exciting that our doors are now officially open.
“Both the commercial and residential property markets are moving quickly in the North, and opportunities continue to arise making investment an attractive choice.”
