Platform said 'Click Decision', which has been established following research, provides intermediaries with 'a binding automated decision in minutes'.
The research revealed that intermediaries wanted an online decision system to comprise a number of key elements including being simple to use, giving a binding decision and using cascade underwriting enabling the broker to only have to submit a decision once.
The facility is now active on Platform's website and features a log-in process using e-mail addresses for usernames and sharing of data between online KFI and online decision to minimise data entry duplication.
Guy Batchelor, sales and marketing director at Platform, said: "You might say we've been slow to come to market but this has given us the opportunity to look at other lenders' online decisioning systems. Our aim is to improve on the systems already out there, creating a 'best of breed' online facility."
Alan Cleary, head of sales at BM Solutions, commented: "It is pleasing to see that other lenders are committing the time and investment necessary to ensure they too offer brokers up-to-date online support."
Platform's updated product range includes the launch of Almost Prime and Near Prime non-conforming products, an increase in its self-cert LTV to 90 per cent and the dropping of its higher lending charge from all conforming products up to 90 per cent LTV.
It has also increased its buy-to-let lending limits to £3 million and 25 properties, and reduced the buy-to-let rental assessment to use pay rates of three years or more.
Batchelor added: "Our new products are very competitive. We believe that this is the strongest Platform offering we've ever launched to the market. We currently have about 4,500 brokers who have used us since the merger with Verso. I would like to deal with another 5,000 brokers in the next 12 months."
Simon Chalk, mortgage planner at Mortgage Portfolio Services, said: "The three-year fixed rate at 4.79 per cent seems like a very attractive product. The 85 per cent max LTV is a figure that we want to be getting close to so that is good to see.
This deal would allow people to consider a larger mortgage. However, the 1.5 per cent arrangement fee seems quite high. On the whole though Platform's service is very good."
