United Trust Bank and YBS Commercial make senior appointments – round-up

Michael has worked in the asset finance sector for 20 years including roles at ING and Hitachi Capital Business Finance, where she was sales manager for eight years. 

This is the eleventh appointment to its asset finance team this year and forms part of the lender’s plan to transact more business and issue larger loans in 2022. 

Michael (pictured) will have the responsibility of driving growth in UTB’s broker-focused strategy and building on the business activity seen this year.  

She said: “UTB has made a big impact this year, recruiting great people, developing its proposition and taking market share from competitors. I’m excited to be joining Nathan and the team and looking forward to reuniting with my old colleagues from ING, Peter Price and Louise McIntosh. 

“Together our aim is to establish UTB as the number one specialist asset finance funder delivering the best broker service in the market. By this time next year, I want UTB’s to be the most called number on every broker’s phone”. 

Nathan Mollett, head of asset finance – United Trust Bank, added: “With Astrid on board, I believe we have one of the strongest senior teams in the market, joining Peter Price and Louise McIntosh managing the biggest asset finance credit and operation teams UTB has ever had, and Jon Mote exploring new product opportunities and leading our push for larger loans.  

“The whole division is committed to driving our growth and the pursuit of service excellence. 2021 is going to be an outstanding year for UTB, but 2022 will put us into another league altogether.”

YBS hires Shaun Reynolds as relationship director 

YBS Commercial Mortgages has hired Shaun Reynolds as its relationship director, joining the Wales and South West team. 

This follows the opening of three regional offices for the lender as well as a recruitment drive in the last 18 months. This includes Kayleigh Parry who was also appointed relationship director for Wales and the South West in September.

Reynolds has 30 years of commercial lending experience, having previously worked as a banker with HSBC and Clydesdale Bank.   

He said: “YBS Commercial has seen fantastic growth recently, which we’re committed to developing further. I’m delighted to join a very successful team and look forward to working with our borrowers and broker partners to build on this, with a number of deals already in the pipeline.” 

Allan Griffiths, regional director for the Wales and the South West, added: “We’re investing in our business and look to attract talented colleagues to support our clients’ growth ambitions. I’m delighted that Shaun has joined us at this exciting time in our expansion journey and he has already made a real difference. 

“Shaun’s recruitment marks the team of regional directors reaching 19, spanning the country from Carlisle to Cardigan, which demonstrates our commitment to providing regional support for our clients and the commercial market.”