The Five Minute Interview with Daniel Tannenbaum, Founder, Bridging Loan Hub

By Tony Sanchez 19th July 2017

Daniel Tannenbaum is the Founder of Bridging Loan Hub, an introducer specialising in bridging and development finance.

Daniel has background in digital marketing and was nominated for The Drum’s Rising Star Award earlier this year.

What is the best thing about being in the bridging finance business?

It’s an industry with a good name. I am used to working in the unsecured loan industry and a lot of lenders have a bad name (especially in the payday sector).

There also seems to be a great level of camaraderie between lenders and brokers. Everyone seems to know everyone, but in a good way.

Despite being a growing sector there is still enough business for several firms and individuals to be successful, which is rare.

A nice touch is having all bridging and mortgage publications who are there to celebrate any partnership or achievement.

This is something quite unique that you don’t see in other industries. Could you imagine there being a press to celebrate everything that happened to a payday lender?

What keeps you focused?

I’ve always been determined and focused from a young age. I was the youngest in the year so always felt I had to work harder in everything to make a name.

I always did well academically but when you leave school and university, it becomes a level playing field.

A lot of my ex-classmates are doing big things with start-ups and running their own businesses – so there is a feeling of healthy competition and a real drive to be the best you can.

What qualities do you look for in your employees or colleagues?

I look for ambitious people – those that can almost do the job of two or three people on a daily basis. I have found good people like that.

They must also be sociable and appreciate that when you work hard, you must also enjoy yourself too and spend time with your family and friends.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimist, every day of the week. You have to have good energy because it rubs off on other people around you and can make your entire surroundings very pleasant.

I am also optimist in work because I realise that nothing is permanent and can always be changed or rectified.

What did you want to be as a child?

As an avid Spurs fan, being a footballer was always the dream (and still is!!).

I also considered being a Pet Detective because I loved Ace Ventura – but quite an unconventional career path.

What will be the greatest challenge facing the bridging finance industry in the coming months?

There is always the risk of the industry becoming too saturated, with more lenders and brokers popping up every day.

This could also drive down margins as companies try to be more competitive with pricing.

Who or what makes you laugh?

A big fan of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I love the humour and how the funniest things come from awkward personal situations.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Never, I always have way too much to do and I have a good work life balance. I go to the gym most days and go see my family nearby – so I try to not to conform to the regular 9 to 5.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would love to be more patient. I always have a go-go-go attitude and cannot wait around for others to get things done.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

Having dinner with someone like Elon Musk or Richard Branson could be a pretty powerful interaction. An hour with one of those guys could change your life forever.

Otherwise, would love to shoot the breeze with Jerry Seinfeld.