United Trust Bank (UTB) has announced the promotion of Fran Arnold to the role of Business Development Manager (BDM) for the North and Scotland. She steps into the position following her tenure as team manager in the bank’s underwriting division for the region.
Transition from Underwriting to Business Development
Arnold’s move to business development marks a strategic shift for UTB as it looks to strengthen its presence across the North of England and Scotland.
She brings with her years of experience in underwriting, a skillset that is expected to add value to mortgage intermediaries she will be working with in her new role. Her previous role saw her leading underwriting operations for the northern region, making her well-versed in the market’s challenges and opportunities.
Arnold’s appointment follows Chris Pedlar’s promotion to Head of Sales – Mortgages, which took place in November. With these internal movements, UTB continues to focus on strengthening its sales and development operations in key markets.
Strengthening Mortgage Support Across the Region
In her new role, Arnold will be responsible for supporting mortgage intermediaries and expanding awareness of UTB’s specialist mortgage products, which include:
- Residential mortgages
- Buy-to-let loans
- Second charge lending
Her experience in underwriting is expected to provide brokers with valuable insights, streamlining the mortgage application process and enhancing lender-broker relationships. UTB sees this as a key advantage in its growth strategy.
A Wealth of Industry Experience
Arnold has been with United Trust Bank for three years, during which she has built a strong reputation within the company. Prior to joining UTB, she spent over two-and-a-half years at Aldermore, where she worked as a mortgage underwriter. Her background in underwriting equips her with deep technical knowledge, which is likely to prove beneficial in her transition to a sales-focused role.
Caroline Mirakian, Sales & Marketing Director – Mortgages at UTB, expressed her confidence in Arnold’s new role, stating:
“Fran is an excellent addition to the mortgage sales team, and the knowledge she brings from her former role in underwriting is going to be a huge benefit to brokers.”
Expanding Opportunities in the North and Scotland
The North of England and Scotland have become increasingly important markets for UTB, with strong demand for specialist mortgage products.
Mirakian highlighted the potential for growth, noting:
- The property markets in these regions have shown resilience.
- Homebuyers and investors continue to find attractive opportunities.
- The demand for specialist lending is increasing.
With these factors in play, UTB’s mortgage team is positioned for further expansion, with Arnold taking a leading role in driving new business and strengthening broker partnerships in the area.
