Dealer diversification drives Pepper Cash’s full yr outcomes

Pepper Cash skilled a 40% enhance in new brokers utilizing its platform, reflecting the non-bank lender’s success in encouraging diversification amongst asset courses and supporting brokers writing non-conforming loans.

This information follows Pepper Cash’s typically optimistic full-year outcomes, achieved regardless of going through “probably the most important financial headwinds we have skilled for the reason that GFC,” in line with CEO Mario Rehayem (pictured above).

“I am very happy with the outcomes and the way the enterprise has dealt with 2023 in all its glory,” Rehayem mentioned.

“Round 98% of our enterprise is generated by way of third-party intermediaries like brokers, so we want to thank them for his or her continued help and suggestions.”

A diversified Pepper Cash for diversified brokers

All year long, Pepper Cash welcomed over 89,000 new clients together with 845 new brokers to its platform. This was largely attributed to the dealer market’s want to diversify their choices.

Whereas mortgage originations declined 43% year-on-year, Pepper Cash’s asset finance division grew 20% over the identical interval.

Rehayem mentioned the corporate has seen a “sturdy surge” in mortgage brokers diversifying into asset courses like asset and gear finance and industrial actual property loans, which inserts Pepper Cash’s choices “very nicely”.

Amid the “intense” competitors and volatility in swap charges that had impacted funding margins notably in most lenders’ mortgage books, Pepper Cash has continued its transition to a diversified enterprise.

This resulted in a balanced portfolio combine: Mortgages contributing 55%, asset finance (43% up from 37% final yr) and a couple of% throughout different loans for the interval.

“We all know easy methods to steadiness progress with managing for worth,” Rehayem mentioned. “As market circumstances enhance, we’re well-positioned to capitalise on alternatives…”

Brokers shift in the direction of non-conforming mortgage loans

Whereas diversification between asset courses was a function of the annual outcomes, one other optimistic for Pepper Cash was the expansion in its non-conforming mortgage e-book.

Mortgage origination combine for the total yr was break up 62% non -conforming in comparison with 37% prime, signaling a major change in how mortgage brokers are utilizing Pepper Cash merchandise.

It is a drastic shift from the yr earlier than when the origination combine was near even (48% non-conforming in comparison with 52% prime).

Based on Rehayem, this displays a rising understanding of the advantages of utilizing non-bank lenders like Pepper Cash, and a diversification away from conventional banks by mortgage brokers.

“Brokers are beginning to gravitate away from banks and increase their information of the place to put clients,” he mentioned. “The extra brokers study and perceive this house and our merchandise, the extra created worth we’ll generate over time.”

Rehayem mentioned Pepper Cash has invested in know-how and training to assist brokers perceive their merchandise and confidently suggest them to clients who could not qualify for conventional financial institution loans.

This aligns nicely with the development of banks changing into extra restrictive with their insurance policies, creating a possibility for each non-bank lenders and brokers. 

Rehayem thanked brokers for his or her help and constant suggestions over the interval, saying it will assist enhance merchandise and processes.

“We’re going to ship a variety of enhancements to our enterprise mannequin, which is able to solely help the dealer market and make them even stronger.”