United Trust Bank (UTB) has won two of the most hotly contested categories of the SFI (Specialist Finance Introducer) Awards 2020 by becoming joint Bridging Lender of the Year and Secured Loan Lender of the Year
This year’s SFI Awards were held online due to Covid-19 restrictions and hosted by Mortgage Introducer’s Robyn Hall and Landbay’s Paul Brett live from London’s Sushi Samba. The awards attracted over 20,000 votes from participants in the specialist finance industry leading to a shortlist of 110 finalists. United Trust Bank was also shortlisted for Development Lender of the Year, a title it won in 2019, and UTB BDM Paul Delmonte was shortlisted for Relationship Manager of the Year.
Gavin Diamond, Commercial Director – Bridging, United Trust Bank, commented: “I’m delighted that the industry has recognised the extraordinary efforts of UTB’s Bridging team during what has been a very challenging year. When Covid-19 struck we kept lending. Even with 90% of our staff working from home the Bank made a commitment to keep supporting brokers and make it as easy as possible for them to keep serving their customers. Against the odds this has led to UTB breaking all-time records for new enquiries and loan pay outs, a fantastic achievement at any time but one we’re particularly proud of in the midst of a pandemic.”
Buster Tolfree, Commercial Director – Mortgages, United Trust Bank, commented: “UTB’s Mortgage team pulled out all the stops this year to help brokers write business when many other lenders were pulling down the shutters. Despite having most people working from home, we developed new products, enhanced our criteria and implemented fintech to give brokers greater options when placing cases. I’m extremely proud of the way UTB and the Mortgage team has confronted the Coronavirus crisis and the team thoroughly deserves this award and recognition.”