• She will oversee the mortgages and savings operations for the new bank

Rebecca Lewis has been appointed Head of Operations for Afin Bank, the specialist lender and savings provider that launched in October last year. She will oversee the customer-facing functions, including lending operations and customer service, when the bank starts offering products later in the year².

Lewis has huge experience in financial services operations, particularly in the building society sector where she has had roles with Dudley Building Society, Skipton Building Society and most recently as Head of Customer Service at Tipton and Coseley Building Society.

Afin Bank has been created to support underserved customers, such as self-employed and high net worth borrowers, but in particular people from Africa living in the UK who find it difficult to get a mortgage from mainstream borrowers because of their visa status or lack of credit history.

Lewis said it was the opportunity to help an overlooked community of customers that appealed to her when joining Afin Bank. She explained: “We want to understand our customers and build relationships with them, it’s about us creating a bank that customers can trust. My past experience working in Building Societies has shown me how valuable supporting the communities around us can be.

“Customer feedback is important to understand the challenges they are facing, so that we can adapt our processes and products to their needs. Customer service isn’t just about being pleasant on the phone, it’s about finding ways that make managing your finances as straightforward and effortless as possible.”

While people will be able to manage Afin Bank’s savings products via a mobile app, Lewis said she wants to ensure that technology is an enabler of good service, it will not replace conversations with her team when customers need one to one support.

Lewis will be based at Afin Bank’s Centre of Excellence, which opened in the heart of Birmingham at the end of last year. She is currently building the teams and processes to support both Afin Bank’s mortgages and savings propositions, which are on track to launch this year.

Speaking of Lewis’ appointment, Nicola Tunney, Afin Bank’s Chief People and Operating Officer, said: “At the heart of Afin Bank is a desire to help customers who have been let down by mainstream providers, so I really wanted somebody heading up our operations who was passionate about people – not just our customers, but the colleagues supporting them as well.

“Bec has all those qualities as well as huge amounts of experience on the frontline and in developing the systems we need to make our operations world class. I am delighted that she is part of the Afin Bank team.”

Afin Bank, which received its banking licence Authorisation with Restrictions¹ (AwR) in October last year, is backed by African reinsurer WAICA Re, which has committed £62m to setting up the bank. It will offer a range of residential and buy-to-let mortgages next year, for borrowers in the UK as well as borrowers in certain African countries interested in the UK buy-to-let market, alongside an FSCS protected savings proposition. 

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.

Banking can be complex, so we’re making it simple. Our mission is to cut out the complicated stuff to deliver simple products and service excellence to make banking effortless.

If you're planning to buy a home or grow your savings, Afin Bank is here for you to achieve your goals. We’re here for you if you’ve moved to the UK and have a passport from certain countries, or if you live in certain countries and wish to invest in the UK property market.*

We provide a simple and secure banking experience through our app to deliver real value that empowers you.

*Subject to acceptance criteria and ID requirements