Cardiff-based second charge mortgage lender, Optimum Credit, is celebrating a joint achievement with its parent company, Pepper Money, with the announcement of more than £1bn worth of first and second charge mortgages across the two brands in 2019.

In the first charge market, Pepper Money grew its specialist mortgage business following a number of enhancements to its proposition, while Optimum Credit maintained its position as a leader in the second charge market with another strong year of growth.

Pepper Money purchased Optimum Credit in October 2018 as part of its ambitious growth plans. Since the acquisition, there has been significant investment in Cardiff, with a move to new premises in the Capital Quarter development to accommodate job growth, taking advantage of the thriving financial services industry in the area.

Sam Marshall, Chief Executive Officer at Optimum Credit, commented:

“Reaching £1bn of lending in one year is an important milestone for this business, but it is just one milestone on our journey towards realising the true potential that being part of Pepper Money offers.

“Jointly, we have an exciting roadmap with a number of proposition developments and service enhancements that we will be launching this year. We also have plans to more closely align our first and second charge lending products. We continue to grow the business here in Cardiff, offering exciting career opportunities within the Pepper Money family.”