‘Our customers and brokers are at the heart of absolutely everything we do’

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Michael Street, lending manager at MS Lending Group.

Michael is responsible for managing, overseeing and approving new business enquiries.

He has a vast amount of bridging finance experience, dealing with both direct and broker clients. Michael truly encompasses MS Lending Group’s core business values.

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

I am confident that across the industry the most common answer to this question is that every day is different.

It’s true, but I’d go one step further, actually, and say that every call of every day is different.

One minute you can be talking about a bigger ticket, complex, multi-asset case and the very next call could be a two up, two down 60% residential purchase.

And the beauty is that the two are as equally important as each other to me and the rest of the MS Lending team.

What keeps you focused?

Our customers and brokers are at the heart of absolutely everything we do at MS Lending Group so from the very first enquiry, to completing on a loan, to working on exit strategy’s.

Making sure that our customers (and brokers) journey throughout is impeccable. We are a new business, and are very much still learning so communication is key to that journey.

It’s fantastic to be able to say that we, as colleagues and customers are shaping the way in which the business operates and engaging with our audience is key to that journey – it really is fantastic.

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

Whilst finding the right people isn’t always simple, the answer to this questions for me is.

The qualities that we are looking for amongst colleagues is a willingness to learn, to want to muck in when it’s needed and to be part of a growing business where every colleagues opinion not only holds weight, but is welcomed.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

An optimist. I’m very much a glass half full kind of guy and for all those who know me well, know that I tend to only deal in solutions, not problems.

What did you want to be as a child?

Successful.

Which is interesting, isn’t it?

A concept that I have toyed with lots throughout the years. For now, I’m settled on the idea of success being the smiles on my son, Ellis, and daughter, Eden’s faces.

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

The challenges and difficulties surveyors are facing relative to the specialist finance market.

Most specifically the restrictions within PII cover renewals is having on the ability of surveyors to provide services to our sector.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My soul-mate and girlfriend, Jasmine – I’ve never laughed as much with anybody as I do with Jas.

I think it may be because she is as daft as me (which I never thought possible).

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Definitely not – I am, and always have been a bit of a workaholic. I struggled through the lockdown period with depression and anxiety due to having no structure in my life.

Being back at work and having a focus is great for me and every day, including Mondays are a blessing and more welcome than ever.

Plus, it helps when you are able to class your colleagues as extended members of family as I can with the team at MS Lending.

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

Absolutely nothing.

As Maya Angelou said, if you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

JFK.

I am secretly obsessed with the conspiracy behind who shot JFK and have spent more time than I would care to admit on trying to conjure my own conclusion!

He was a man of strong values and wasn’t afraid to challenge ‘social norms’. I’d love to pick his brains.

FOLLOW ON GOOGLE NEWS