Hampshire Trust Bank

Deputy Managing Director, Development Finance 

Octopus Real Estate

My responsibilities included :
- full management of the Development Light & Refurbishment products; 
- training and management of the underwriting team to ensure we maintain high level of knowledge and expertise, deliver great customer service and comply with AML, GDPR and TCF regulations;
-  training and knowledge share with the sales team to deliver superior level of knowledge at the early stages of our encounter with our customers;
- design and definition of both products in line with the funder requirements and market needs;
- approval of AIPs sub £5m;
- completion sign off and payment authorization;
- all the above while adhering to the unique Octopus values: Be Bold, Be Helpful, Be Straightforward.
The products are: 
1) Development Light is covering ground up new build schemes, extensive structural refurbishments and large PD conversions up to £8m GDV; 
2) Refurbishment product is assisting with smaller scale refurbishment schemes.

I am also an Octopus Wellness Ambassador working towards creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where:
- people feel that they can be themselves and they are celebrated for who they are;
- employees are encouraged to realize their full potential while actively looking after their wellbeing; 
- we openly have mental health conversations and employees are not afraid to be vulnerable;
- we provide tools and services required to support Octopus employees on their journey to resilience and superior performance.   

My most successful wellness projects included leading an Endomondo Challenge engaging 400+ Octopus employees in a 3 months fitness competition. The challenge gave us all the much needed boost during lockdown. Men's Mental Health Week where our male employees shared their stories in the most powerful and vulnerable way normalizing mental health conversations.

Head of Development Finance (Light)

This role included:
1) Underwriting development finance deals up to £20m debt size involving complex transactions related to foreign borrowers, overages, non standard loan documents, various procurement methods,  trusts, performance bonds, collateral warranties, mezz and second charge holders involvement and complex source of funds structures.  

2) Delivering regular ongoing training modules on various development finance and refurbishment topics to the main credit and sales teams including specific training/mentoring for development champions within the team. To complement internal training I have facilitated external presentations on:
-Rights of Light, 
-Party Wall Awards
-QS reports;
-How to Read a RoT;
-Valuations;
-Development Appraisals;
-Deeds of Subordination;
-Prime Central London;
-Market Updates from the panel valuers. 

3) Creating Wellness framework for Octopus Real Estate leading the rest of the company to follow our lead in taking care of the mental and physical wellbeing of our staff. I led a small group of 10 wellness champions who each were responsible for various wellness activities including: fitness challenges, mental health webinars, nutrition presentations, organizing terrarium sessions, chair massage sessions,  volunteering together (Food Cycle and other charities), leading environmental projects aiming to reduce our collective impact on environment and more.

Senior Development Finance Underwriter

Credit Manager, Development Finance

Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank

The role included providing full range of property finance solutions to the customers from the initial enquiry all the way to completion, portfolio management and repayment. This included preparation and presentation of the credit papers to credit committee following underwriting, assessment of the risks and deal structuring. The role also includes management of the existing portfolio including annual reviewing of the borrower's position and exposure while ensuring that the existing financial and other covenants are satisfied. Site visits were undertaken on a regular basis including assessment of suitability of the property for lending purposes and bank's risk appetite. The product range included development finance, commercial assets and BTL portfolios.

Property Finance Account Relationship Manager

The role included full management of the Israeli Mortgages Department. The department is responsible for providing finance to UK borrowers against residential property assets in Israel. This requires analysis of the financial circumstances of the borrower including analysis of the assets abroad that are being offered as a security to the bank. The job required liaison with with Head Office in Jerusalem, Israeli solicitors, surveyors and brokers. Coordination of all involved parties was crucial to ensure the deadlines are met despite the physical distance from the mortgaged asset.

Head of Israeli Mortgages Department

ARM in Israeli branch takes care of all the financial needs of individual and small-medium size companies related to the retail banking. This includes credit requirement, investment activity needs and day to day management of the account.

Account Relationship Manager

This role included full management of the mortgages branch in Eilat, Israel. The main focus was on initiation of new deals, completion of the existing deals in the pipeline and daily training of a personnel in the branch. As a branch manager, one has to accept full responsibly for the funds being released to the borrower on the completion of the deal and ensure the process all the way through is in line with the bank's credit policy and manual. The role also included day to day management of the branch, motivation of the team and addressing the client's special requirements or needs.

Branch Manager

An energetic and passionate credit and real estate specialist with over 20 years of experience in underwriting, development finance and credit risk. My style is: "First, invest in your team and help them to become the best version of themselves. Then, trust them to outperform and deliver exceptional results!"

I am currently working in the Development Finance team at Hampshire Trust Bank as the Deputy Managing Director leading a team of talented and driven individuals who all are looking to take the bank to the next level. 

I deeply care about wellness and looking after my team. My main objective is to create a positive and supporting environment providing employees with tools to improve their mental health & help them to look after themselves. 

I am always available to talk, so please reach out by messaging me if you would like to know more about how I or Hampshire Trust Bank can assist.

“I can’t lift it, Isaac. It’s too heavy”

“I know you can, Ullie (he calls me Ullie). Just give me three reps. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and lift.”

I have never thought I will hire a Personal Trainer 🏋️‍♂️

I used to see these bored guys in the gym staring at their phones while their clients do the exercises they are given. Or doing the cheerleading act to encourage their clients to push. I don’t need one of these.

Isaac makes fun of me and chuckles when I say things like “I can’t lift it” or “it’s too heavy”.

He watches my every move and rep like a hawk to ensure my execution is correct and I don’t injure myself.

And he is the most positive person I know.

When he saw this t-shirt he laughed like a little kid. Almost folded on the floor. 

What a legend! 

Love this man!  

He makes me a better person.

#personaldevelopment #goals

Uliana Kuzmis

“Why are you willing to share your underwriting secrets?” - someone asked me after our first Development Finance Masterclass in London. 

I had to think about this one… 

First, these are not “my” secrets. 

Second, this knowledge shouldn’t be a secret. 

Development Finance is a complex business, but it doesn’t have to be. 

End of the day, the more we all as an industry understand development finance, the better we are able to service our clients and borrowers. Who in turn will keep delivering much needed housing for everyone. 

It’s a no brainer, really. 

That is why we are bringing our Development Finance Masterclass to Manchester. 

The registration is still open but not for long. Link is in comments.

This weekend has been nothing but a miracle.

My fiends and family are safe 🙏🏻

And the most remarkable thing happened: Arab countries, UK, USA and France have protected Israel.  

Thank you and I pray this is the turning point on the path to the much needed peace.

THIS 
MAKES 
ME
SO
PROUD
🌟🌟🌟

Being shortlisted for Bridging & Commercial  Awards 2024 is a huge privilege and one that can only be achieved by hard work and dedication. 

Being shortlisted for multiple awards speaks volumes. 

Thank you to everyone who nominated and supported us now and over the years. 

And absolute massive congratulations to all the worthy nominees. This industry is full of great people and great companies. 

Let’s celebrate it in style 🔥

It’s a privilege to be invited to speak at The HS Property Hub on 6 June 2024.

HS was the first ever provider I used for a financial analysis course more than a decade ago. So when they asked if I would like to join the Finance for Property Investment and Development panel, of course, I said “YES”! 

Btw, have you noticed something exceptional about this panel? 

Is that the first in the industry? 

👏👏👏

Link with full details is in the comments.

This is now getting very real and despite having previously done it, I am getting excited all over again. 

Buying my train tickets for the Manchester Development Finance  Masterclass on 8 May. 

The invitations are going out now, keep an eye on your inboxes (and check your spam folders). 

Can’t wait to meet you all in May.

Such a tool! 

On the first warmest Saturday of the year I chose to spend my day 

❄️ indoors 
❄️ in an artificially cooled space ( -6)
❄️ wearing winter clothes 

First indoor skiing slope experience. 

Verdict: well worth it!
Better on a bad weather day 😂

This is the most exciting part of preparation for the Development Finance Masterclass for me.

The content.

I only have one agenda in mind:

🗒️What content will deliver the most value to our brokers?

🗒️ What content will take their dev fin knowledge to the next level?

🗒️ What content will leave them wanting more?

My secret resource is the feedback from the last year’s masterclass when I asked the participants to share what was the most useful part of the training for them.

I am using their feedback to help me design our upcoming masterclass in Manchester. 

Thank you, as always.

Can’t wait for 8 May, Manchester  🔥🔥🔥

Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Our Manchester Development Finance Masterclass is all set. 💥 Registrations are officially closed, and invites have been sent out.
 
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to register for this event. 
 
If you’re one of the lucky invitees, get ready for an insightful session and a day of networking with likeminded professionals.🤓📚
 
For those who missed out this time, keep your eyes peeled for our next class later in the year. 👀

Alex Upton Uliana Kuzmis Neil Leitch Scott Apps Blane Perrotton FRICS MCInstCES Pride Consulting IMS Russell Higgins Colin Ness :Robert Syrett Josh Swaby

🌟 Today’s the day… 

We’re finalists in 6 categories at the Business Moneyfacts Awards 2024 taking place this evening in London.

🏆 Best Service from an Asset Based Finance Provider
🏆 Best Development Finance Provider
🏆 Best Service from a Development Finance Provider
🏆 Best Service from a Buy-to-Let Mortgage Provider
🏆 Best Service from a Specialist Buy-to-Let Mortgage Provider
🏆 Best Specialist Buy-to-Let Mortgage Provider

🎊 Let’s raise a toast to our collective achievements and this incredible community. 🥳

#BusinessMoneyfactsAwards #Finalists

The HS Property Hub is delighted to share the agenda for the 2nd Annual Finance for Property Investment and Development Conference 2024 in London! 🎡💂 https://lnkd.in/eF-qr6hj A big welcome to our speakers from Addleshaw Goddard, Cain International, CREFC Europe, CapitalRise, OakNorth Bank, Hampshire Trust Bank, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd, London Branch, Savills, CBRE UK, Alvarez & Marsal, Gerald Eve, Peritus Group UK, Maslow Capital, JLL, Aon, Studio Moren and more... We're so pleased to have you on board! 😁 And we cannot wait to welcome you on 6th June! 

There is still time to book your place. Register and view the agenda here: https://lnkd.in/e65BtWwx

#realestate #realestatenews #realestateagent #CPD #propertynetworking #propertynews #teamtraining #sustainability #realestateevent #propertyfinance #lender #riskadvisory #propertyvaluation #commercialproperty #residentialproperty #retailproperty #operationalrealestate #capital #lending 

When you walk into a coffee shop, smile, scan your face and get your coffee without saying a word. 

No, it’s not automation.

It's “know your customers” kind of barrista who remembers your order. 

Thank you 🙏🏻

Couple goals 🌟 

I am cycling in Richmond Park today. On a steep hill I run out of steam and push my bike while being overtaken by an elderly plus size lady.  

“What a way to spend Easter Sunday!” - she says. 

And I laughed 😂. 

Later on at the top of the hill I overtake her and she waives me off, now she run out of steam. Her partner in his 80-ies is waiting for her at the top. 

Couple goals ❤️

Happy Easter 🐣

There is a cheeky little shortcut meme going around TikTok, which I find amusing.

Did you know that these little paths that cut corners are called “desire paths”?

I genuinely believe that someone should analyse these paths and use this analysis in creating new neighbourhoods and paths that people will enjoy using. Paths that make sense. 

But, can someone please explain this mystery (see image)?

Instead of cutting a corner it creates a longer path with no obvious reason?

Thoughts  ….

Taplio

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