OMS and Step One Finance Launch Bespoke Loan Origination Platform to Streamline Specialist Lending

One Mortgage System (OMS) has deployed a bespoke loan origination platform for specialist lender Step One Finance, marking a significant expansion of its footprint in the second charge lending market. For fintech professionals, this integration highlights the accelerating shift toward end-to-end digital workflows in complex lending sectors where manual processing has historically hindered speed and transparency.

What was announced

Step One Finance has fully adopted "OMS Originations," a platform launched in April 2024 designed to handle the entire mortgage application lifecycle. This move builds upon an existing API integration between the two firms, transitioning the relationship into a deeper technical partnership. The new system is tailored specifically for Step One Finance’s internal requirements and its network of intermediary partners.

The platform includes a customisable dashboard that allows the lender to build specific workflows for various borrowing scenarios without the need for long development cycles. Key technical features integrated into the Step One workflow include instant decisioning capabilities, a dedicated product engine, and bespoke underwriting processing. To meet regulatory requirements, the system also incorporates second and third-line audit functionality, consolidating all compliance data into a single interface.

The breadth of the system is designed to accommodate the complex product suite offered by specialist lenders. This includes semi-commercial loans, self-build projects, Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) arrangements, and buy-to-let mortgages. It also supports niche segments such as retirement interest-only (RIO), right to buy, holiday lets, and mortgages for expatriates or limited companies. By digitising these varied paths, the system aims to provide brokers with greater visibility and faster processing times for non-standard applications.

"This integration is another example of how OMS continues to support specialist lenders with flexible, reliable technology that makes a tangible difference to their day-to-day operations. Step One Finance has a clear focus on improving the customer journey through smart investment in digital infrastructure, and we’re proud to play a key role in supporting this delivery."

Neal Jannels, Managing Director of One Mortgage System.

The companies involved

One Mortgage System (OMS) is a UK-based technology provider specialising in end-to-end digital solutions for the mortgage industry. The firm operates across the lending spectrum, providing platforms for retail banks, building societies, and specialist lenders. OMS has positioned itself as a provider of integrated CRM and origination tools that handle the journey from initial enquiry through to completion. The company has focused on extending its reach by working with a variety of financial institutions to deliver integrated digital solutions.

Step One Finance, established in 2010, is a specialist lender that focuses on providing flexible lending solutions for customers whose circumstances may not fit the criteria of mainstream high-street banks. The firm operates on four core business principles: responsibility, transparency, fairness, and simplicity. As a specialist in the second charge and non-standard mortgage space, Step One Finance relies on intermediary partners to distribute its products. The company has prioritised investment in digital infrastructure to streamline the customer journey while maintaining the rigorous controls required for responsible lending in the specialist sector.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has tracked the steady expansion of One Mortgage System as it secures its position in the UK mortgage technology landscape. The firm was recently highlighted in One Mortgage System Secures Top Spot as UK’s Leading Mortgage CRM in Benchmark Study, reflecting its growing market share. OMS has also been active in expanding its technical capabilities through partnerships, such as when OMS integrates Twenty7tec ADAPT into platform.

The company’s focus on the second charge market was previously evidenced in its work with other lenders, as seen in OMS and Scroll Finance Streamline Second Charge Buy-to-Let via New API Integration. Furthermore, the firm has strengthened its internal leadership to manage this growth, notably when OMS Appoints Simon Tippett as Head of Delivery to oversee its implementation pipelines.

What this means

The specialist lending sector is reaching a digital tipping point. For years, complex products like JBSP and semi-commercial loans were shielded from automation by their inherent friction, but this integration proves that even the most manual corners of the market are now being digitised. Traditional lenders who rely on legacy paperwork are under increasing pressure as specialist firms like Step One Finance adopt "origination-as-a-service" models to slash turnaround times. The move raises a critical question for the industry: as the technical gap between specialist and mainstream lenders closes, will the speed of execution become the primary differentiator in a market where product complexity used to be the only barrier to entry?