Former pilot’s lending business flying high with increased bank backing
A speciality finance company based in Greater Manchester and founded by an ex-airline pilot expects to double its loan book within 12 months after securing three institutional funding lines including an increased facility from Shawbrook Bank – the first institutional lender to back the company in 2019 bridging loan specialist SDKA is aiming to increase the value of its loan book by enhancing its product offering, having recently completed a client’s facility for £1.4m, while expanding its customer base further across England, Wales and Scotland.
The Cheadle based-company, which specialises in providing short-term finance to business borrowers secured on commercial and buy-to-let properties, aims to hire more staff over the next year to support its continued expansion.
The business has seen fast growth since being set up by former property investor and airline pilot, Kunal Mehta, in 2016.
It can provide loans to clients in as little as seven hours, with its fast service leading to 60% of its business coming from returning customers.
Shawbrook Bank has quadrupled an existing facility it provided to support SDKA’s growth plans. Shawbrook was the first institutional lender to back the company with an original facility provided in 2019.
Managing director Kunal said: “Pilots live by a mindset of getting it right first time, while winning repeat business is what makes successful airlines fly.
“These two facets from my flying career underpin our approach at SDKA – we guide our team to provide exceptional customer service that inspires confidence and long-term business relationships.
“We’ve transformed our business via this philosophy over the last five years, building a competitive proposition that combines the traditional relationship aspects of lending with the efficiencies of new technologies, giving us a strong footing to target further growth.
“Throughout our journey so far, Shawbrook’s expertise, consistent support and understanding of our approach has enabled us to expand rapidly.”
Luke Randell, associate director in the Speciality Finance team at Shawbrook Bank, said: “The volume of repeat business that SDKA wins is telling of the high-quality service it provides.
“Its disciplined team is ambitious with its growth plans and their ability to deliver commercial loans in just seven hours is a strong market proposition for customers who are looking to finance deals and investments quickly.
“Our Speciality Finance team has backed SDKA from very early in its journey. We’re proud to continue supporting this fast-growing business as SDKA continues to fly from strength to strength.”
