Paragon Bank promotes Matt Fulford to head of specialist lending

Paragon Bank has announced that it has promoted Matt Fulford to head of specialist lending in its mortgages division, as it focuses on helping brokers place a broader range of buy-to-let business, from straightforward transactions to more complex cases.

Fulford reports to Lisa Steele and will lead the bank’s specialist lending, overseeing the rollout of its newly established Portfolio Relationship Management (PRM) approach.

Drawing on experience in sales and credit, he will work with brokers, customers and colleagues to find solutions for landlords’ changing financing needs, including cases that need a more tailored approach.

Paragon designed the PRM approach to strengthen relationships with portfolio landlords and their brokers. The team will work with customers throughout the life of their borrowing to help Paragon understand landlords’ businesses now and in future. Brokers stay central to the relationship wherever an intermediary is involved.

Fulford joined Paragon 15 years ago as a mortgage underwriter, then moved into the mortgage credit team and later led it. Before Paragon, he spent 18 years in the mortgage industry at Halifax and Skipton Building Society, across lending, relationship management and business development roles.

Matt Fulford, head of specialist lending at Paragon Bank (pictured), said: “As the buy-to-let market continues to evolve, it’s important that we continue to develop our proposition in ways that reflect the increasingly diverse needs of landlords and the brokers who support them.

“The introduction of our Portfolio Relationship Management team is an important part of that strategy. By building stronger, longer-term relationships with landlords and brokers, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of their businesses, future plans and funding requirements, helping us shape our approach around the challenges and opportunities they face.”

Lisa Steele, mortgage lending director at Paragon Bank, said: “This promotion is thoroughly deserved and reflects the contribution Matt makes across our mortgage operations function.

“Having played an important role in several areas of our Mortgages business, Matt brings a valuable perspective to the role, helping ensure we continue to develop our proposition in a way that reflects the changing needs of the buy-to-let market

“Leading the PRM team, Matt will provide brokers and their landlord clients with greater access to expertise and support throughout the mortgage term, rather than only at the point a transaction takes place.”