• Afin Bank picks the city be home to its customer service and support teams

One of the UK’s newest banks has picked Birmingham to be the home of its customer service and support teams. Afin Bank, which launched in October and hopes to start offering mortgages and savings next year, has opened an office at Temple Row in Birmingham’s city centre.

Afin Bank has been set up to help customers who struggle to get mortgages from high street banks because of their circumstances, especially people from Africa living and working in the UK who are often turned down because of their visa status or lack of credit history in this country.

The new site will become Afin Bank’s Centre of Excellence and is the bank’s first site outside of London. The choice of Birmingham reflects the bank’s ambitions for growth and its desire to create a diverse and inclusive business that reflects the needs of its customers.

Nicola Tunney, Afin Bank’s Chief People and Operating Officer, who will oversee the new office, said: “We looked at a number of locations around the country to find the right type of property space with good travel links and access to a pool of great candidates to build our new teams and also support our future growth. Birmingham came out tops.

“Birmingham is a fabulous city in its own right. It's bustling, it's dynamic and it's very diverse, which is important to us as we recruit and create an inclusive culture that is at the heart of what Afin Bank stands for. It feels like a place in which we can really grow.”

The new office will be home to Afin Bank’s core operations teams, including customer service and credit and lending support, which Tunney is currently developing. She said that recruiting people from a diverse background was important to ensure an understanding of the barriers that the bank’s customers face, many of whom are from different cultures and communities.

Afin Bank will be based at Runway East, a flexible office space in Temple Row’s Arca building. The location was chosen because if offered the services and flexibility the bank needs in its start up phase, as well as being a comfotable and convenient space for employees.

Tunney explained: “Runway East is a great location, with good transport links for colleagues, close to train, bus and tram stops, as well as being in the vibrant heart of Birmingham. 

“It is a warm and engaging workspace, which is important if you want to attract the best candidates. As a start-up business, particularly in financial services, we want to shake off the dusty old image associated with banks, so Runway East provides a modern, collaborative working environment, with plenty of capacity to support us as we grow.”

Adam Sandford, Regional Lead for Runway East, said Afin Bank was one of a growing number of high-tech businesses establishing a presence in the city. He said: “Birmingham has a rich business heritage, but it is also constantly evolving, which is why it has become a popular choice for new and growing businesses.

“The city has a wonderful community feel, which clearly aligns with the bank’s values and will ensure it’s able to attract the best local talent. We are delighted to have Afin Bank onboard.”

The bank’s latest jobs will be promoted on its LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/afinbank/

Afin Bank has been created to support people who find it difficult to secure funding from mainstream banks and mortgage lenders, particularly those from Africa. It will also offer mortgages to other specialist customers, such as the self-employed and high net worth borrowers. 

The bank is backed by African reinsurance company WAICA Re and received its banking licence Authorisation with Restrictions¹ (AwR) in October. It plans to offer residential and buy-to-let mortgages, as well as a range of savings products, next year².

For more information about Afin Bank visit www.afinbank.com and follow it on @AfinBankUK on X and Instagram.

ENDS

Contact Paul Beadle: Email Paul.Beadle@afinbank.com or Mbl 07801 105001

Notes to editors

¹ In carrying out the regulated activity of accepting deposits, the aggregate amount of deposits held by the firm at any time may not exceed £50,000. ‘Deposit’ has the meaning given in Article 5(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Regulated Activities) Order 2001.

² Subject to regulatory confirmation.

Afin Bank is a new bank supporting one of the UK’s most under-served but vital and growing communities; people from Africa living and working in the UK. People that are doing important jobs, contributing to society, creating wealth and opportunities.

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