Paragon has posted a 12.5% increase in underlying profits which hit £71.9m over the past six months.
New buy-to-let lending reached £823.6m compared to £446.2m at the half-year point in 2015.
The lender said the significant increase reflects the strength of the group’s position in the buy-to-let market and the acceleration of landlord purchasing activity ahead of the stamp duty increase.
John Heron, managing director of Paragon Mortgages, said: “We have had a very good first half, with strong new lending volumes whilst maintaining our high underwriting standards and strong credit profile.
“Demand for private rented property remains strong regardless of the significant policy developments we have seen in recent months.
“The Prudential Regulation Authority proposals, currently in consultation, will introduce a level of discipline to the market that we welcome and in particular require that more complex business is subject to an appropriately robust commercial assessment, similar to that which Paragon already applies to more complex business.
“Paragon is therefore well positioned to deliver solutions for landlords through a period of significant change in the market.
“We have every confidence in the buy-to-let market, with tenant demand continuing to remain high and in some areas increasing, the private rented sector will remain a fundamental part of the UK’s housing market now and in the future.”
