Puma Property Finance bolsters team after record lending year

Puma Property Finance has hired Mert Zabci from Octopus Real Estate, where he was an Investment Manager in the Commercial Team, working on investment and bridging facilities.

Mert joins Puma Property Finance as an Associate working across the business, which focusses on professional property development and delivers development and bridging loans from £5 million to £35 million.

Prior to joining Octopus, Mert worked at RBS for almost eight years, latterly as a Relationship Director. There, he specialised originally in distressed debt, before becoming an originator in the Real Estate Finance Private Equity team where he worked on high debt quantum investment loans. He is also a RICS Chartered Surveyor, having qualified while working at BNP Paribas Real Estate after completing his MSc in Real Estate at Reading University. Mert is a keen rugby player who has previously captained the Turkish National Team.

David Kaye, CEO of Puma Property Finance said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Mert to our expanding team. His strong industry network will be invaluable as we continue to expand our lending activity in 2020 and beyond.”

Last year, Puma Property Finance completed £200 million in loans. Mert is the latest to join the company as it continues to grow, following the appointments of Llani Rainey and Sarah Milne in 2019.