"There are lots of synergies across the new enlarged business and I know that this move will benefit both brokers and customers."
Under the integration, the Optimum Credit brand is retired and its operations will continue under the Pepper Money brand, with the support and resources of the wider group.
Laurence Morey, CEO at Pepper Money, said: “I am thrilled to announce that today, Pepper Money will be providing second charge mortgages following the successful merger of Pepper Money and Optimum Credit. It's taken over 18 months to plan and execute but we're now primed and ready to help even more customers.
"The combined expertise of our Pepper and Optimum colleagues is a big step forward in delivering a more comprehensive offering and it will open up new opportunities for our business, our intermediary partners and our customers.”
Paul Adams, first charge sales director, commented: “This is a significant milestone in the development of the Pepper Money business. There are lots of synergies across the new enlarged business and I know that this move will benefit both brokers and customers. We have always wanted to offer our brokers a broader range of mortgage services and working alongside my seconds colleagues we can now do just that.”
Caroline Mirakian, sales director for second charge mortgages, added: “Today is an exciting day for Pepper Money and all of the team who previously worked for Optimum Credit. We believe there’s an opportunity to raise the profile of second charge mortgages to expand the market and to reach a wider group of customers.”
