Bridging & Commercial caught up with Debra Lazare, Marketing Director of Mint Bridging, to find out more about the lender’s expansion plans.
What does your role consist of and what roles/experience have you had in the past?
I handle the marketing for Mint Bridging, making sure that all collateral sent out has the same core values with brand consistency. We have produced some really innovative mailers in the past year, from sending waffles for Waffle Day and Pizza Friday to our loyal brokers. It’s about moving the marketing forward for an industry that is rate led and can lack innovation.
Did you always want to work in finance?
My background has always been marketing and advertising. I have worked for all the big boys from Y&R, McCann Erickson and TBWA. I’ve always worked on the agency side of the business and when Andrew Lazare (my husband) set up Mint, it seemed a great opportunity to work together and for me to use my marketing background in our business.
What impact is Brexit likely to have on the bridging market?
We are seeing the impact daily. We have had brokers come to us with deals that have been pulled by other lenders and while there are no issues with the loans, some lenders are becoming nervous on deals that actually fit their criteria.
I think we have all come out of this a bit more cautious, but we really have to be “business as usual”. There is always an opportunity to strengthen our market position in times of uncertainty and we are getting some really good deals from brokers who trust us to deliver.
What one thing would you change about the bridging industry?
It’s pretty much the same issues in bridging pre-Brexit and post-Brexit; the perceived time it takes to complete on a loan versus the actually time it takes to do it. We have seen valuers who are looking at property differently, so for the next few months it may take them a bit more time to get back with adjusted figures. Brokers have to understand that we lend our own money and that of our investors, so we need to ensure that we are all protected.
In such a crowded market, what qualities does a bridging lender need to have to stand out?
As with most companies our biggest asset is our people. We respect each other and we all work together for the good of the business. On the morning of the vote we had most employees in at 6am asking Andrew (who had been in from 4am) what we needed to do, and what did we need to look at in terms of deals to complete that day. There was a real camaraderie about the team and it showed that as a tight-knit business, we have a family that really cares. We understand that everyone has an invisible sign around their neck that says “make me feel important”, from brokers to investors to staff. And that’s what Mint is renowned for; hand holding clients from start to finish.
What exciting projects does Mint Bridging have this year?
Mint is still looking at expansion, even in the face of Brexit. We are continually looking at our systems and processes to streamline them, making the buying experience easier and more efficient.
What is the biggest challenge for the bridging market this year?
It has to be the flux in the market and just the sheer uncertainty of the current climate. It is going take new leadership, new negotiations and a bit of strength to get through the coming months. We can offer the strength to brokers, but we need the government to help us out with the rest.
Explain the most interesting deal you have seen at Mint Bridging.
On a daily basis, deals come in and loans go out. I am still amazed, after two years, of the sheer volume we work with. We had one man who inherited some money and thought he could develop the property, he actually had no experience.
Instead of producing a great renovation, he ran out of money and didn’t know what to do. He called Mint and we visited him, spoke to him, guided him to get the project back on track and helped him sell it. We don’t want to be in the business of financial ruin. Sometimes, people need help and expertise, [and the knowledge that] a company is looking out for them as an individual.
What is your favourite part about the bridging industry?
Working with my husband daily! No really, we argue, we laugh and we disagree, but ultimately it’s for us to make it work and we both have the vision of the company in our sights.
Who is your idol and why?
Probably Kiefer Sutherland, who once helped me find a Nina Simone record in Amoeba Music in Los Angeles. He walked me though the very busy store to the right section. I actually felt the safest I have ever felt.
What does your role consist of and what roles/experience have you had in the past?
I handle the marketing for Mint Bridging, making sure that all collateral sent out has the same core values with brand consistency. We have produced some really innovative mailers in the past year, from sending waffles for Waffle Day and Pizza Friday to our loyal brokers. It’s about moving the marketing forward for an industry that is rate led and can lack innovation.
Did you always want to work in finance?
My background has always been marketing and advertising. I have worked for all the big boys from Y&R, McCann Erickson and TBWA. I’ve always worked on the agency side of the business and when Andrew Lazare (my husband) set up Mint, it seemed a great opportunity to work together and for me to use my marketing background in our business.
What impact is Brexit likely to have on the bridging market?
We are seeing the impact daily. We have had brokers come to us with deals that have been pulled by other lenders and while there are no issues with the loans, some lenders are becoming nervous on deals that actually fit their criteria.
I think we have all come out of this a bit more cautious, but we really have to be “business as usual”. There is always an opportunity to strengthen our market position in times of uncertainty and we are getting some really good deals from brokers who trust us to deliver.
I think we have all come out of this a bit more cautious, but we really have to be “business as usual”. There is always an opportunity to strengthen our market position in times of uncertainty and we are getting some really good deals from brokers who trust us to deliver.
What one thing would you change about the bridging industry?
It’s pretty much the same issues in bridging pre-Brexit and post-Brexit; the perceived time it takes to complete on a loan versus the actually time it takes to do it. We have seen valuers who are looking at property differently, so for the next few months it may take them a bit more time to get back with adjusted figures. Brokers have to understand that we lend our own money and that of our investors, so we need to ensure that we are all protected.
In such a crowded market, what qualities does a bridging lender need to have to stand out?
As with most companies our biggest asset is our people. We respect each other and we all work together for the good of the business. On the morning of the vote we had most employees in at 6am asking Andrew (who had been in from 4am) what we needed to do, and what did we need to look at in terms of deals to complete that day. There was a real camaraderie about the team and it showed that as a tight-knit business, we have a family that really cares. We understand that everyone has an invisible sign around their neck that says “make me feel important”, from brokers to investors to staff. And that’s what Mint is renowned for; hand holding clients from start to finish.
What exciting projects does Mint Bridging have this year?
Mint is still looking at expansion, even in the face of Brexit. We are continually looking at our systems and processes to streamline them, making the buying experience easier and more efficient.
What is the biggest challenge for the bridging market this year?
It has to be the flux in the market and just the sheer uncertainty of the current climate. It is going take new leadership, new negotiations and a bit of strength to get through the coming months. We can offer the strength to brokers, but we need the government to help us out with the rest.
Explain the most interesting deal you have seen at Mint Bridging.
On a daily basis, deals come in and loans go out. I am still amazed, after two years, of the sheer volume we work with. We had one man who inherited some money and thought he could develop the property, he actually had no experience.
Instead of producing a great renovation, he ran out of money and didn’t know what to do. He called Mint and we visited him, spoke to him, guided him to get the project back on track and helped him sell it. We don’t want to be in the business of financial ruin. Sometimes, people need help and expertise, [and the knowledge that] a company is looking out for them as an individual.
Instead of producing a great renovation, he ran out of money and didn’t know what to do. He called Mint and we visited him, spoke to him, guided him to get the project back on track and helped him sell it. We don’t want to be in the business of financial ruin. Sometimes, people need help and expertise, [and the knowledge that] a company is looking out for them as an individual.
What is your favourite part about the bridging industry?
Working with my husband daily! No really, we argue, we laugh and we disagree, but ultimately it’s for us to make it work and we both have the vision of the company in our sights.
Who is your idol and why?
Probably Kiefer Sutherland, who once helped me find a Nina Simone record in Amoeba Music in Los Angeles. He walked me though the very busy store to the right section. I actually felt the safest I have ever felt.
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