The increase, calculated in numbers of successful mortgage applications, was measured in the twelve months since April 2003. Commented Operations Director Julie Hamilton: “This is a direct result of Amity’s expansion over the last year which has seen us open five processing centres throughout the UK, from Edinburgh to the South East. Intermediaries clearly appreciate our policy of local service backed up by strong central administration.”
The company has opened a second centre opposite its Darlington Headquarters, to house its entire central processing staff. Twenty new staff have been recruited to cope with the increase in business.
Amity Direct’s results showed that re-mortgage applications doubled during March and April – a result of the springtime boom in home improvements, which is an expected annual increase. But there has also been an unexpected buoyancy in the Buy-To-Let market, which is consistent throughout the UK. Says Hamilton: “Buy To Let has not abated at all – and we were expecting to take a hit on that market because of uncertainty over returns, particularly in the South East. But Buy To Let mortgages have proved remarkably resilient.”
