Pepper writes 600 NZ loans in first year

The non-bank giant made its first steps into New Zealand in May last year, bolstering its ranks with NZ hires and forming a distribution partnership deal with adviser group Astute Financial.

The group launched its white label Ascenteon product a year ago this week, through Astute. It has since widened its offering to advisers across the country.

On the anniversary of the launch, Aaron Milburn, Pepper's head of New Zealand, told TMM Online the firm has supported "over 600 Kiwi families", with all of the loans distributed through the adviser channel.

Milburn said the first year had been "very successful", and added the firm would look to expand to "other asset classes" in the years ahead. In Australia, Pepper offers personal loans, car finance, and commercial lending.