The Five Minute Interview with Craig Reiselson, Lending Manager, Market Financial Solutions

By Tony Sanchez 11th December 2019

Market Financial Solutions is an award winning independent bridging finance provider that deals with a range of bespoke bridging solutions that are fast and flexible for all their intermediaries and clients.

We speak to lending manager, Craig Reiselson:

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

Generally, it is the good feeling you get when you are genuinely helping people.

For example, enabling borrowers to complete on auction purchases within 28 days, knowing they could lose a substantial amount of money if they do not complete.

What keeps you focused?

Knowing that MFS has built a serious reputation for speed and service in the bridging market means that I am motivated to stay 100% focused, and therefore maintain the positive relationships we have built up with our brokers, borrowers and partners over the years.

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

The key ones are being a fast learner, working well within a team, looking at problems from different angles and most importantly being able to communicate well over the phone.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Having worked in the bridging sector for 3 years, I would say I am realist and an opportunist.

What did you want to be as a child?

It was a between being a professional wrestler and a dentist which is admittedly quite a mismatch, and both unfortunately never materialised.

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

The two most obvious challenges are the uncertainty within the property market and the number of lenders offering similar products.

I also consider the P2P sector as a reputational challenge, as many of these lenders have been entering administration which does not reflect well on the industry.

Who or what makes you laugh?

I mean, we are currently getting a lot of entertainment from the politicians in Westminster with the way the Brexit situation has been handled over the last three years!

Do you dread Monday mornings?

I wouldn’t say dread, they have their challenges! The main one being just getting out of bed. Once I am in the office though, and having great conversations with our brokers, I am happy.

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

I would love to be fluent in another language.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

Anthony Bourdain, unfortunately he is no longer with us. However, he had the greatest job ever, visiting the most unknown parts of the world, trying various cuisines.

He was also a fantastic writer and was passionate about Brazilian Ju Jitsu so we would have a lot to talk about.