JustUs plans October IFISA launch after gaining HMRC approval

JUSTUS has been approved as an ISA manager by HMRC and said it is “just weeks away” from launching its Innovative Finance ISA.

The peer-to-peer lender, which is backed by advertising veteran Sir John Hegarty, gained full authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority earlier this month.

“We are really gathering momentum,” said founder and chief executive Lee Birkett.

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“Ahead of the launch of the ISA in October there has been a really great level of interest with nearly 150 lenders pre-registering to open an account, which is all the more pleasing given we’ve done no marketing!”

The Cheshire-based lender plans to offer a range of products, including bridging loans, unsecured loans, guarantor loans and buy-to-let mortgages, at borrowing rates it says are below the market average.

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JustUs launched as eMoneyHub in July 2012 and its backers include Sir John Hegarty, co-founder of well-known ad agency BBH, who has backed the firm via his start-up incubator The Garage Soho.