The Five Minute Interview with Matt Cottle, Commercial Director, Y3S Group

By Tony Sanchez 7th March 2012

Y3S Bridging & Commercial’s experienced, dedicated experts offer tailor-made bridging & commercial finance options for clients of their financial intermediaries.

We speak to Commercial Director Matt Cottle:

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

The frenzy of the current market has a real optimism about it so it’s just great to be involved on any level. It’s constantly evolving and keeping abreast of all the changes is not easy.

It’ll be interesting to see where it all leads to in a few years.

What keeps you focused?

Developing our sourcing system, miLoan, to ensure that brokers keep wanting to come back to use it.

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

Ambition, drive, honesty and integrity – the same as everyone else.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

An optimist. Avoid pessimists at all costs – they drag you down.

What did you want to be as a child?

First a weatherman, then a policeman, then a fighter pilot. I’m too short for all but the weatherman.

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

If any new lenders come in, business levels will be diluted further forcing rates down, which I am not sure is good for the industry as a whole.

Longer-term, I think that over-zealous regulation will damage the industry.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Who? Martin Gilsenan of Omni Capital, best one liners ever, very funny man. What? Richard Sexton’s Hawaiian shirt. Hilarious.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

No, I like to relax on a weekend but two days off is more than enough for me. I love heading to the office on a Monday morning with a head full of ideas.

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

There are many things I would change about myself given the opportunity; couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

My wife Victoria. She’s the best cook ever and amazing company. Even better, I have dinner with her almost every night.