Secure Trust Bank launches new division to fund specialist lenders

Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance has launched a dedicated speciality finance division targeting UK non-bank specialist lenders.

Headed up by newly appointed Mike Knox (pictured), the division will focus on providing funding solutions to established specialist lenders operating in real estate finance, SME finance and consumer finance sectors.

Mike, who joined the team earlier this year, comes with over 20 years’ experience in finance, spanning real estate, restructuring and financial institutions. He joined from Cynergy Bank where he set up its speciality finance offering.

The division will build out a full team by the end of the year, following the recent appointment of Talal Malghani as head of credit. Talal joins from ThinCats, where he was senior director of capital markets, playing a key role in the firm’s growth and its eventual sale to Shawbrook. Prior to this, he held roles at NatWest. In his new role, Talal will lead on credit and underwriting for speciality finance.

Mike Knox said: “The specialist lending market has really matured over recent years, with a number of well-established lenders with strong origination capability and proven credit performance creating a multi-billion pound market. However, many of these lenders are either over-reliant on a single funding line, operating facilities that don’t fit their collateral, or are leaving growth on the table. This is where the opportunity lies for us to provide a more tailored solution for specialist lenders, becoming a true capital partner.

“Secure Trust Bank sits in the sweet spot for specialist lenders in this market. We’re not as big and restrictive as larger banks, but we still have the institutional capital and process discipline needed to bring the scale and long-term commitment needed by specialist lenders. It’s an area we’ve already built credibility in, and this is the next step in building an enduring presence in the market.”