Specialist buy-to-let (BTL) lender Paragon Bank has just released its annual figures which reveal that after a difficult few years lending levels and confidence are rising.

During the past twelve months the bank saw a 27% hike in annual profits, a 4.4% increase in its buy-to-let mortgages loan book all of which increased its share price by 3.3% to 772p.

Improving customer sentiment, robust year-end pipelines, and our strategic focus on specialist markets, gives us confidence as we enter the new financial year.”

Paragon chief executive Nigel Terrington says: “We have seen accelerating momentum throughout the year, with new lending levels reaching the upper range of our expectations and strong customer retention.

“Improving customer sentiment, robust year-end pipelines, and our strategic focus on specialist markets, gives us confidence as we enter the new financial year.”

MD Louisa Sedgwick (main image) adds: “We are delighted to announce a 4.4% increase in our buy-to-let mortgages loan book in challenging market conditions.

Lending accelerated

“New lending accelerated in the second half of the financial year, and we enter the new year with great momentum, with our new business pipeline 48% higher.”

She added: “2025 promises to be an exciting year for Paragon. We are launching our new, bespoke mortgage originations platform, making it quicker and easier for intermediaries to submit cases, which will reduce the time from application to offer.”

Paragon recently reported that strong tenant demand, an increasing population and rising house prices are driving ambitious landlords to build their property portfolios.

Read more about buy to let market.