Hope Capital Property Finance has recorded the lowest number of loan defaults in its history as its lending activity has increased.
The specialist lender says it is resolving defaulted loans 30% faster and managing 50% more redemptions than at the same point last year.
The figures follow investment in borrower support and growth in the lender’s capacity through several institutional funding lines.
Hope Capital introduced a dedicated loan support team last year, giving each borrower and broker a point of contact from drawdown to redemption. The team has since grown by 60% alongside the wider business and its lending capacity.
It works with borrowers and brokers on matters including extensions and facility increases. Refurbishment funds are released within 24 hours, while facilities are monitored through to redemption so that potential problems can be identified at an early stage.
A separate resolutions team supports borrowers facing difficulties or delays with their exit strategies, working with them and their brokers to consider possible solutions.
Jemma Wood (main picture), director of portfolio, asset and risk at Hope Capital Property Finance, says: “For us, completion is not the end of the relationship with Hope Capital Property Finance.
From the outset, every borrower and broker is allocated a dedicated point of contact who understands the loan, the project and the intended exit strategy.
“They have someone they know they can simply pick up the phone to throughout the life of the facility.
“That relationship is really important to us because it means we can stay close to our borrowers, understand how their plans are progressing and look at how we can support them as their requirements evolve.
“We are seeing an increasing number of borrowers and brokers return to us for repeat deals, which is a strong endorsement of the service and relationships we have built.
“For us, it is about building long-term relationships, supporting borrowers throughout their property journey and being a lender they can come back to time and again.”
Kate Cowan, chief financial and operating officer at Hope Capital Property Finance, adds: “As we continue to grow, maintaining high service standards remains a key priority for us.
“We know that speed, communication and reliability are important to both brokers and borrowers, which is why we continually look at ways to make the experience of working with Hope Capital as straightforward and efficient as possible.
“That commitment is reflected in the practical support we provide every day, whether that’s releasing refurbishment drawdown funds within 24 hours to help keep projects moving or ensuring procuration fees are paid on the same day as completion, or the next working day for completions after 3.30pm.
“While these may seem like small details, they can make a significant difference to brokers and borrowers.
“They demonstrate our focus on delivering a service that is responsive, dependable and built around helping our customers achieve their objectives.”
