Crystal Specialist Finance welcomes ‘undisclosed’ investment into advice business – exclusive

The firm said the undisclosed sum will be used in conjunction with its capital reserves to fund its own acquisition strategy and growth plans.

Pagos Holdings Limited lists Michael Angelo Berger as a director and Martine Francesco Moser as a private individual with significant control via a passive minority shareholding in the company.

Crystal is a specialist finance distributor providing commercial finance, bridging loans, second-charge mortgages, development finance, specialist residential and buy-to-let mortgages.

It said strategic acquisitions will include companies that complement Crystal’s current offering which serves mortgage brokers and professional introducers.

It said it is currently in advanced negotiations with a number of specific companies it is seeking to bring on board and will make further announcements on potential deals as they progress.

Jason Berry (pictured), group sales and marketing director, said: “The specialist market is set to offer huge opportunity during the next few years, so this new investment coupled with our own acquisitional funds comes at the perfect time for us. It provides a war chest which we will use with diligence to grow both organically and through acquisition.

“Brokers and introducers are at the heart of everything we do. We will therefore continue to invest in technology, so the slickest and quickest submission journey is delivered, plus we will buy and then support good businesses who complement what we do. We particularly want to ensure brokers and introducers, who are maybe overwhelmed with current opportunities, have a simple and trusted referral solution.

“Our specific proposition is an attractive one to investors because of the depth of experience and activity we deliver in the specialist market. Based purely on the value of the loans Crystal completed in 2021, if we were a specialist lender, we would be comfortably sitting at the top table. There is much more to come in the very near future.”

Martin Reynolds, CEO of Simply Biz Mortgages, said: “2022 is set to be a very busy year for mortgage brokers with a record high number of cessations plus the continuation of a very active purchase market. This can create time challenges when it comes to placing, administrating and completing on complex applications. Therefore, those specialist distributors who best deliver referral solutions or alternatively support brokers with accurate placement, accompanied by consistent service, will prosper most. It is very positive to see a firm like Crystal looking to invest in and support this growing market.”