Short-term property finance provider Signature Private Finance has reported a trebling of its loan book during the first half of the year.
Boosted by the surge in demand for short term property finance in the run-up to April’s stamp duty changes, the firm enjoyed an even more productive May.
Tony Gilbertson (pictured), interim CEO at Signature Private Finance, said: “Although the figures make good reading and emphasise the attractiveness of our offering, I’m actually more heartened by the early signs for the second-half of the year, which I expect to confirm our continued growth.
“Brokers and clients like what we do and the way we do it. It really is a simple as that. There are no special tricks to hit targets in this market; we are dealing with intelligent, demanding, busy people who want us to deliver on our promises and offer a range of products tailored to their needs.
“From launch in 2013 we have concentrated on developing strong relationships with brokers, investors and property developers, built on our deep and genuine understanding of every aspect of property development, not just the figures in a balance sheet.
“We combine this approach, with a commitment to delivering quick decisions and always working to find ways to lend, rather than reasons to disappoint property investors. It’s not all about the finance, we know we’re in a service business and our success depends on how we make our customers feel.
“Despite the pessimistic views being expressed following the vote for the UK to leave the EU, I’m confident the property market will endure. There is little doubt the London scene may suffer in the short term at least, but the regions in which we are traditionally strong, the Midlands and Wales, I expect to show few signs of distress.
“The property market is not the main focus for most of the high street lenders and if they tighten their lending criteria, I see a real opportunity for short-term property finance specialists like Signature to fill the vacuum and increase our lending in the face of perceived adversity.”