The group offers training, support and compliance services to firms which offer financial advice and credit facilities and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

It also supports over 850 firms new to regulation under both Consumer Credit and the Mortgage Credit Directive.

David Golder, Manging Director of The Consumer Credit Centre, part of the SimplyBiz Group, said: “Since our inception in 2002, we have continued to grow exponentially year-on-year and we now support more than 30% of the directly authorised marketplace and over 5,000 financial advisers across some 2,500 firms.

“The group’s ethos of always putting the customers’ needs at the heart of all that we do and increasing the diversity of knowledge of our members and supporting them, mirrors the ASTL’s philosophy of honesty and integrity.

“Therefore, becoming an associate member was the next natural step and we look forward to exchanging knowledge and sharing ideas and best practice in order to continue influencing the short-term lending market for the benefit of our growing membership”

Benson Hersch, Chief Executive of the ASTL, added: “Growing the reputation of the bridging market is of paramount importance and this latest addition not only contributes to the association’s diversity and knowledge but allows us to take yet another step forward to providing a truly balanced voice of the short-term lending market.”

The total number of full and associate members of the ASTL is now 55.