Citri, which was set up 12 months ago and is one of the largest mortgage broker brands in the country, chose Halifax as the site for its first high-street branch.

The launch event was held at the new office in Cow Green.

Chief executive Keith Atkinson said the success of the company – which has 250 brokers across the country – is due to its innovative use of technology, modern methods and experienced mortgage advisers.

He said: "We have got an extremely low-cost, efficient business.

"There is no filing cabinet – it's paperless.

"Instead, all the technology is backed up off-site by using secure data banks.

"It's also down to our branding and marketing.

"We have a very forward-thinking brand, using more futuristic methods than the traditional."

Mr Atkinson said the paperless approach and the fact brokers were based in small offices across the country, meant costs had been kept down to a minimum – giving them an edge on competitors.

"So far the market has worked to our advantage because some of our competitors have struggled.

"These are difficult trading conditions and because of this our efficiencies have become even more exaggerated so it's made a bigger difference," he said.

The company has enjoyed month-on-month growth since its birth last year and Mr Atkinson said things could only get better with the Government's long-awaited interest rate cuts announcement.

Mr Atkinson said four new branches are due to open across the country within the next four months and as many as 30 to 35 branches by this time next year.

He said: "It's been a fantastic 12 months.

"I have worked 20 years right across the financial sector and I saw this gap in the market – there was no national brand for mortgage advisers."