Welcome to our property finance newsletter
In the ever-changing landscape of the property market, we understand the challenges posed by fluctuating conditions. However, amidst this uncertainty, we stand firm in our commitment to reliability and dependability.
We're excited to share that we've recently expanded our frontline team, bringing on board seasoned professionals dedicated to serving you better. We've been listening closely to the feedback from our brokers and customers, understanding their needs and preferences. As a result, we're shaping deals that are tailored to meet the unique requirements of all parties involved.
Our business development managers are at the forefront, fully accessible and eager to work closely with our brokers to build strong, long-term relationships. We believe that collaboration is key to success, and we're committed to fostering partnerships that stand the test of time.
Behind the scenes, our team is hard at work crafting new products and solutions. We're particularly focused on addressing the needs of under-represented groups within the market. While we can't reveal all the details just yet, rest assured that we're dedicated to creating opportunities that promote inclusivity and accessibility.
As we move forward, we're excited about the prospect of continuing to build and strengthen our relationships with you, our valued partners. Together, we can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
Warmest regards,
Jayne Follows
Head of Real Estate Finance
The team is expanding
We are pleased to announce the newest addition to our leadership team, Scott Barber (pictured left), who joined us in January as the Regional Director, to lead our team in the North. Scott will head our initiatives to expand and solidify our presence in the North-West region.
Tim Lucas joined as Head of Product & Proposition role. Continued evolution and development of our products and distribution channels is a key focus for 2024, and Tim will be responsible for the products we have across savings & lending and ensuring that these are reflective of the current and future needs of our target customers.
Lewis Ashford has joined as Senior Business Development Manager in the South West region and Emma Harris as Relationship Manager in Yorkshire. Both bring strong market knowledge and experience with them which will complement our existing skills in order to seize the opportunities we have to better support our customers, as well as develop and deepen our broker relationships.
Growing our own
Sally Martin and Karen Crooks have both secured promotions as Relationship Managers and Stephen Parr has been promoted to Senior Business Development Manager, with a focus on continuing our presence in London.
Matthew Lindley has graduated into the role of Lending Officer and Marco Brice has been promoted to head up our newly formed Direct Business team, where we have exciting plans to develop an enhanced proposition and service for smaller loan sizes.
Welcome to all our new recruits and warmest congratulations to the individuals embarking on their newly appointed roles.
Increased investment in new initiatives
We're committed to continuing to enhance your journey with us through transformative change. The key is to combine the benefits that technology can bring whilst maintaining our personal approach to supporting you throughout the journey. Below, you can see a summary of our ongoing initiatives:
Seamless experiences with real estate lending
Building on the pioneering new CRM technology that we introduced last year, we are further transforming our real estate lending journey for smoother transactions and faster fulfilment timelines.
Driving asset finance growth
We are in the process of exploring new initiatives and digital innovation to make streamlined process improvements and enhance the application journey to support sustainable, long-term growth. Alongside the due diligence and compliance changes that we have in course this should provide a material shift in experience for our AF Brokers.
Lending standards board
In our mission to adopt, embed and uphold lending standards, we have pledged to ensure essential protection for SMEs by embedding the Standards of Lending Practice.
Enhancing the customer onboarding journey
We have recently changed the way we assess our due diligence and compliance checks and are in the process of making further significant improvements to this critical part of the journey. We will shortly be introducing greater digital capability and a more streamlined, cohesive customer journey.
Streamlining business savings
We’re improving the customer online application journey, with a series of enhanced developments to leverage digital capability and the removal of paper from the application process.
Help your clients stay ahead with EPC improvements
With a refurbishment loan, your clients can get more from their renovation project. Introducing sustainable energy improvements during a refurbishment not only future proofs the property against potential regulation changes but also positions it favourably in the market.
Unlike many lenders, our customers have the option to convert their refurbishment loan into a term loan. We offer loans of up to £2.5m for experienced landlords and property investors, and we'll make the process as smooth as we possibly can. Smaller deals don't usually require a Building Surveyor.
One of the largest lending deals of past 12 months
A professional property investor has successfully acquired four fully tenanted, purpose-built modern office blocks in Milton Keynes with £9.5 million in debt funding. Completed at the end of December, the deal was one of the bank’s largest single loans of 2023 and underscored our ongoing commitment to professional real estate investors and demand for its specialist lending solutions.
The professional investor and developer has purchased the freehold of each of the low-rise office buildings as part of a wider investment plan across the entire business park in Milton Keynes.
The sponsor has particular expertise in redeveloping office buildings and working closely with stakeholders such as councils to meet the needs of local tenants and residents.
River Tilt Park expands holiday facilities
The picturesque River Tilt Park is set to enhance its holiday facilities with our support. The finance package includes a six-figure refurbishment loan, a dedicated product aimed at supporting property investors and developers looking to enhance the value of assets through light redevelopment and refurbishment programmes.
Located 30 miles north of Perth in Scotland, River Tilt Park has been owned by family-run Richardson & Others since 1981. South of the Cairngorm National Park, an area of outstanding beauty which hosts over 1.5 million visitors each year, River Tilt Park offers 52 lodges and 64 static caravan pitches as well as a variety of utility buildings and a leisure club with swimming pool, gym, and restaurant.
This expansion aims to elevate the guest experience, offering more amenities and accommodations to visitors seeking the natural beauty and tranquillity of Perthshire. The funding will support the refurbishment and upgrade of on-site cottages, bar, restaurant, and leisure centre.
Barry Rodger, Senior Relationship Manager, Cambridge & Counties Bank, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to support the team at Richardson & Others with a bespoke lending package, including our refurbishment solution, as they look to invest in their business and grow.”
We enter interim registration to the Lending Standards Board
Cambridge & Counties Bank has set an industry precedent by simultaneously entering interim registration for both the Lending Standards Board's (LSB) Business Standards and the Business Standards for Asset Finance.
The registration marks the first time a financial institution has signed up to both the business Standards and Standards for asset finance at the same time, and signals Cambridge & Counties Bank’s long-term commitment to delivering fair customer outcomes, industry best practice and transparency.
Sarah Barker, Chief Commercial Officer at Cambridge & Counties Bank, says:
“We have always promoted good lending practices, and we are proud to be the first firm to register to both the business and asset finance Standards at the same time. Working towards full registration will assure our customers that they are dealing with a bank that prioritises the highest level of conduct across its operations – not just in line with industry best practices but leading at the forefront. Signing up signals our intention to ensure all our customers experience the same high standards of service.”
Out and about over the coming months
We have a busy year ahead attending exhibitions, awards ceremonies and industry events up and down the country. Here are a few of the upcoming events and we look forward to seeing you there!
- 18th April: Business Moneyfacts awards, Evolution London
- 18th April: Insider South West Residential Property Awards Sandy Park
- 26th June: NACFB, NEC Birmingham
Get in touch with our experienced team
For properties in Scotland, our minimum loan size is currently £500k, while for the rest of the country, it is £250k. We understand the unique financial landscape in Scotland and, subject to our standard lending criteria (which can be found on our website), we are open to discussions on tailoring finance solutions to meet specific requirements. For enquiries, please send us a message using the form below.
For general enquiries please contact:
Existing customers please contact: