The Five Minute Interview with Paul Weitzkorn, Sales Director, Funding 365

By Tony Sanchez 19th September 2016

Funding 365 is a fast-growing bridging lender with integrity who’s shaking up the industry – combining the lowest rates offered by the bigger lenders with the bespoke service and quick processing capabilities of a smaller firm.

We speak to sales director, Paul Weitzkorn:

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

In my banking career I was always one step removed from the lending business.

So it’s great to now be on the front line of lending – underwriting deals and engaging with brokers – whilst still thinking about what’s going on in the wider UK property market and economy.

What keeps you focused?

My children! I have 2 kids, including one teenager. Making sure that my wife and I give them the best start in life keeps me going every day.

It’s a very competitive world out there and I want to make sure they have the opportunities to do something good with their lives.

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

Teamwork is one of the most important aspects of working in 2016. If your colleagues don’t get on, productivity goes downhill quickly and it makes for an unpleasant experience.

I’ve always made sure that teams I’ve been a part of get on, have fun and are productive. That’s probably the reason I’m working with Mike Strange for the third time in my career!

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Always an optimist. I’m a glass half full guy. We live in an uncertain world and in uncertain times, so I always think that it’s best to be as positive as possible.

I’m a firm believer that a positive mindset and thought process can help to achieve great things!

What did you want to be as a child?

Once the realisation set in that I wasn’t going to play for Arsenal and given that I liked numbers and playing Monopoly, I knew I would be involved in the finance world in some way!

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

With some bridging lenders having post-Brexit funding concerns and property prices currently having an uncertain direction, the challenge will be for the industry to maintain lending standards and act responsibly.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My children – every day they bring tears to my eyes (ok, not always for funny reasons!). Otherwise being with old friends, reminiscing about the stupid things we did at school or watching re-runs of Friends.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Not in the slightest! I look forward to Mondays because it brings new challenges, new deals and new people to talk to.

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

Apart from my footballing skills…. my wife tells me I should learn to listen more!

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

There’s only one answer to that – Dennis Bergkamp. Arsenal signed him just as I finished university and I took a season ticket at Highbury.

He was the iceman who was totally dedicated to what he did for a living and brought joy to so many people (including non-Arsenal fans).

I would spend time asking him about his incredible work ethic, attitude and selflessness…. all qualities I admire!