MS Lending Group secures £50m funding line from Pollen Street Capital

By David Craik 23rd August 2022

Northwest based MS Lending has secured an initial £ 50 million senior-secured facility with Pollen Street Capital to keep business buzzing.

The bridging lender, which has financed over £55 million since it began trading in January 2021, with over half of that amount lent in the first half of 2022, said the three-year deal would further boost its ability to provide finance and funding solutions across the market.

London and New York based Pollen Street is a fast growing and purpose led alternative investment asset manager, investing in credit and private equity strategies focusing on the real estate, financial and business services sectors.

“This partnership with Pollen Street and the injection of funds means we can remain agile in the market – not only with speed and ease for our customers, but also the hands-on, hassle-free service which is what we’re known for,” said Michael Stratton, CEO and Founder of MS Lending Group.

“With uncertainty around interest rates increasing, this is a huge statement from us as a lender to show our customers and brokers they can rely on us, knowing the security of our funding partners and that we have a fixed facility in place.”

Stratton added that Pollen Street had quickly understood and acknowledged its unique offering in the marketplace and enabled it to tailor the funding line around its specific needs.

“They work with us as a strategic partner, and not just a provider of capital. They did not seek to put barriers into place which would alter how we already do things, and why our customers come back time after time,” Stratton said.

“It has been refreshing to work with like-minded individuals at Pollen Street who understand and support our business ambitions and growth plans, plus it’s a huge credit to the MS team that we’re at this stage after only 18 months of trading.

We are really looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Pollen Street.”

Ben Jackson, Investment Manager at Pollen Street Capital, commented:

“Pollen Street Capital is delighted to have supported MS Lending Group in such a pivotal milestone for the business.

Our real estate strategy is built on selective partnerships with real estate lending platforms. This new facility with MS Lending Group fits well with our strategy and our aims to maintain liquidity in the short-term bridge lending market.

We are thrilled to be working with Michael Stratton and [Managing Director] Robert Goodall who bring over 40 years’ experience in the industry to MS Lending Group.”