Paragon Bank has promoted Matt Fulford to head of specialist lending in its mortgages division, with responsibility for developing its approach to complex buy-to-let cases and overseeing a new portfolio relationship management team.
Fulford (pictured), who has worked at Paragon for 15 years, will report to Lisa Steele, mortgage lending director, and lead the bank’s specialist lending proposition.
A central part of his remit will be the introduction of Paragon’s Portfolio Relationship Management (PRM) approach, which aims to provide portfolio landlords and their brokers with ongoing support beyond individual mortgage transactions.
The new team will maintain relationships with landlords throughout the life of their borrowing, building a fuller understanding of their property portfolios, investment plans and future financing requirements.
Paragon said brokers will remain central to these relationships where customers have used an intermediary.
Fulford’s appointment brings together his experience in mortgage underwriting, credit management and intermediary relationships. He joined Paragon as a mortgage underwriter before moving into the mortgage credit team, which he subsequently went on to lead.
Before joining the bank, he spent 18 years with Halifax and Skipton Building Society in lending, relationship management and business development positions.
Fulford 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.”
Steele 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.”
