We spoke to Bridgebank Capital's Trupti Edwards, one the lender’s most recent additions, to find out more about her life before bridging, Bridgebank’s plan of action in 2013 and the prospect of dinner with Del Boy…

B&C: How long have you been a part of the industry, and how did you come to work at Bridgebank?

TE: I have been in this industry since 1998 and spent the first nine years with Northern Rock, the latter 5 years as a BDM. I approached Laurence Goodman after learning of his plans to expand the business. We initially met an NACFB workshop whilst I was in a previous role and it quickly became apparent that Bridgebank was highly regarded among my existing network of brokers, hence my desire to join the firm.

What does your role at Bridgebank involve?

It’s incredibly varied but, essentially, I split my time between the office reviewing enquiries and structuring deals to visiting brokers to promote Bridgebank’s USPs and excellent service proposition.

What’s the last thing you saw at the cinema, and what did you think of it?

I rarely go to the cinema - my taste in films is very non-mainstream.

If there was one thing you could change about the short term industry, what would it be?

Nothing – I prefer to deal with the here and now.

If you could have just one superpower, which would it be and why?

The ability to read people’s minds – maybe that’s not such a good idea, though!

What’s the most memorable case that you’ve come across throughout your career, and why?

There are the obvious large loans, but the one that really sticks in my mind is during my (pre-compliance) branch days as a mortgage advisor. I was approached by an existing customer who believed he needed a bridging loan to help him relocate from the Midlands to the South West. He was desperate to complete the purchase of his new home, but had yet to secure a sale on his property in the Midlands. I advised him to port his current mortgage product to the new property and take an SVR standard mortgage with no early redemption charges to cover the period that it would take for him to sell his existing property. This saved my client considerable costs and simplified the entire transaction.

Using financial products creatively to solve problems is the biggest asset any advisor can bring to a business and doing the right thing for the client will carry its own reward. In this case, it led to a genuine job offer from the client who is now the MD of a financial services firm in the South. Although I did not take up the offer for personal reasons, it was the biggest compliment I could have received.

What most excites you about upcoming plans at Bridgebank?

I am thrilled to be part of the next phase in Bridgebank’s success story. 2013 will be a period of significant growth for the business and I am relishing all the rewards and the challenges that come with it. I am fortunate to have a great support team with no weak links, too, which is invaluable.

What would you put into Room 101 if you had the chance?

Traffic – as a BDM on the road, it’s my biggest frustration.

If you hosted a dinner party, which three people would you invite and why?

I prefer to spend my private time with friends and family but at a push I’d say Del Boy Trotter for humour, Joanna Lumley for class and Tony Soprano for his natural charm and wit!

What are your predictions for the bridging industry going into 2013?

Although bridging may seem over-heated, I think it will continue to evolve as awareness of its uses and benefits increases amongst brokers. Demand for bridging will remain strong against a backdrop of continued restriction of funds on the high street. The key challenge is to ensure that the industry has robust due diligence systems in place to guard against fraud and poor practice, which affect us all.