Following support from the Welsh Government, Optimum Credit is lined up to create more than 40 jobs.

Second charge lender, Optimum Credit, has recently opened its new headquarters in Cardiff, where it has been given £600,000 from the Welsh Government to create 44 jobs, including senior roles, within the next five years.

The lender, backed by Patron Capital Advisors, only launched earlier this month, however it has already created 20 jobs.

Commenting on the quick growth of the new firm, Jonny Jones, Finance and Risk Director at Optimum Credit, said: “These are exciting times for Optimum Credit Ltd – we are in advanced negotiations for significant funding from one of the major high street banks and have the backing of Patron Capital Partners which illustrates a high level of confidence in our business.

“Our management team is probably the most experienced in the UK. We will be bringing some unique ideas to the market and our technology platform is already significantly more sophisticated than the systems used by our competitors.

“We fully expect to rapidly become a major player in our marketplace.”

Jonny added: “The second charge loan market is growing at a fast rate and Welsh Government support has been invaluable in enabling us to get up and running quite rapidly to maximise these opportunities.

“Cardiff is a great place to base our business as the availability of high quality, experienced people in our sector is probably greater here than in any other city in the UK. Strong transport links between Cardiff and London were also a key factor in our decision to set up in Cardiff as we have easy access to the world’s most liquid capital market in the City of London.”

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “I am delighted Optimum Credit Ltd has chosen Cardiff as its headquarters where it will grow the business and create highly skilled jobs in financial services – one of our priority sectors.

“Cardiff is becoming recognised as the location of choice for the financial and professional services sector which is backed by a competitive and compelling proposition offering businesses a skilled workforce, first class infrastructure and support.”