Case study 3

Former borrower speaks first hand on benefits of Helmsley

Mark Prance, a broker who works as a tied agent, knows how hard it can be for small builders to get the financial backing they need when it comes to their business ventures.

Having been a borrower in the past, Mark experienced problems when trying to get the bank to lend him money to restore his family farm. He sought an alternative and was fortunate, in 1989, to be introduced to Helmsley by a friend, who worked as an insurance broker.

Some years on, Mark now works as a broker himself and has the first-hand experience he needs to advise his clients of the best possible options when they need to borrow money. He believes that Helmsley has a lot to offer and their flexibility and personal approach are invaluable to his clients.

Mark admits that, in the beginning, he always advises his clients to go to their bank first, because they are the cheapest form of finance. When they come back to him, having been unsuccessful, he advises them on the benefits of Helmsley.

He believes that although interest rates may be higher with Helmsley, they are competitive within the market, they offer an extremely flexible service and are a good source for short term finance.

Mark says: "They will go over and above the limit to help people. There is always somebody at the end of the phone to help and advise my clients through their journey."

He continues: "The main difficulty concerning my clients is getting the loan in the first place. I view the interest factor as secondary and that is why I view Helmsley as one of the best lender options. They have rescued a lot of my clients from going under and that is what makes me continuously turn to them."