The non-bank lender has welcomed Steve Lawrence to the team as national fund manager.
In a move to bolster its position in the lending market, national fund manager Keystone Capital has appointed Mr Lawrence as its new chief credit officer.
The appointment, effective from 18 July 2023, is expected to support the company’s growth and operations.
Bringing more than four decades of experience in the banking, finance and property industries, having held executive positions at La Trobe Financial and Pallas Capital, directors Tom Waltham and Lachlan Perks expressed confidence in the appointment.
Mr Waltham and Mr Perks said Mr Lawrence’s vast executive experience will play a pivotal role in expanding the company’s loan book and establishing it as one of the nation’s leading non-bank lenders.
“Steve is a highly respected icon of the industry, and his vast executive experience will be vital in helping us extend our reach and establish Keystone Capital as one of the nation’s leading non-bank lenders and providers of alternative property-backed credit to Australians,” Mr Waltham said.
One of Mr Lawrence’s primary objectives will be to enhance certainty and reliability in the current lending market, addressing the challenges posed by a constantly evolving financial landscape.
His aim is to build on Keystone Capital’s reputation for providing access to private credit and to further nurture the relationships that have been at the core of the company’s decade of success.
The appointment comes on the heels of Keystone Capital’s recent acquisition of a 50 per cent stake by specialist financial services firm KeyInvest.
It is a development that Keystone said will enable it to diversify its business strategy across Australia, backed by increased funds and a suite of borrower and investor products.
Excited about the move, Mr Lawrence said the relationships with clients and partners, particularly mortgage brokers, will continue to be the driving force behind Keystone Capital’s success.
“Nurturing these will guide me in building on our competitive advantages of delivering a consistently high-quality service characterised by a ‘speed-to-market’ commitment and greater flexibility when assessing and delivering loans to a growing client base of predominantly mortgage brokers,” Mr Lawrence said.
“I am always mindful that these brokers have chosen a specific lender to assist their customers, the borrowers, and my aim, with the entire team, is to always meet – if not exceed – their expectations and requirements.
“That’s especially important in what is currently a challenging market where both brokers and their clients are seeking certainty and reliability.
“I look forward to further developing my strong relationships with those in the broader Australian lending sector.”
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