We provide short term corporate lending solutions to businesses for property acquisition, refinance, equity release, development and bridging finance.
Santiago Capital DAC is a dedicated Irish alternative lender with its own balance sheet, in house professionals and management team. Internal expertise and rigor means decisions are made efficiently and on the ground. Our competitive advantage is that our decision making is entirely in-house. Our experienced lending team can structure deals on a bespoke basis.
Santiago Capital DAC accepts investor funds on a co-funding basis. Funders can be confident that the underwriting decisions are subjected to a rigorous credit process. In every instance Santiago Capital maintains a significant allocation in the loan demonstrating confidence in our process, the quality of projects we select to finance and the promoters we support.
Our Process
Initial Proposal Assessment
Credit Committee Approval
Due Diligence
Perfected Security
Release Funds & Project MonitoringAn important first-step in the appraisal of each project is our initial contact with promoters. This is necessary to get a feel for the asset and to build a relationship with the promoter. At this stage we discuss their background, borrowing amount required, purpose, security being offered, and proposed exit strategy. Information is gathered to give a detailed account of the proposal to our credit committee.
An important first-step in the appraisal of each project is our initial contact with promoters. This is necessary to get a feel for the asset and to build a relationship with the promoter. At this stage we discuss their background, borrowing amount required, purpose, security being offered, and proposed exit strategy. Information is gathered to give a detailed account of the proposal to our credit committee.
The project is presented to and considered by the credit committee. The rationale, merits and risks are assessed and challenged. A decision is taken whether to accept the proposal and if we are to proceed on what terms – always subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence. Once proposal is approved, a term sheet is issued with terms offered to the promoter (subject to due diligence) setting out our conditions, parameters and Anti-Money Laundering requirements.
As part of the due diligence process we always require a red-book valuation to be carried out on all assets, including those being offered as additional security. At this stage we conduct further checks on the promoter and their assets including a thorough review of the promoter’s financial affairs. Legal due diligence is also carried out and an in-depth understanding of security being offered is established.
Santiago Capital take first legal charge over the assets we lend against and companies we lend to. This is a key requirement for any proposal and Santiago Capital often require additional make-weight security or personal guarantees to be put up also.
Santiago Capital release funds in one bullet or in tranches depending on the borrower’s requirements. We stay close to our projects and our clients. The projects are constantly monitored by the Portfolio Manager at Santiago Capital. For development projects, a Qualified Surveyor is appointed.
- Initial Proposal Assessment
- Credit Committee Approval
- Due Diligence
- Perfected Security
- Release Funds & Project Monitoring
Initial Proposal Assessment
An important first-step in the appraisal of each project is our initial contact with promoters. This is necessary to get a feel for the asset and to build a relationship with the promoter. At this stage we discuss their background, borrowing amount required, purpose, security being offered, and proposed exit strategy. Information is gathered to give a detailed account of the proposal to our credit committee.
Credit Committee Approval
The project is presented to and considered by the credit committee. The rationale, merits and risks are assessed and challenged. A decision is taken whether to accept the proposal and if we are to proceed on what terms – always subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence. Once proposal is approved, a term sheet is issued with terms offered to the promoter (subject to due diligence) setting out our conditions, parameters and Anti-Money Laundering requirements.
Due Diligence
As part of the due diligence process we always require a red-book valuation to be carried out on all assets, including those being offered as additional security. At this stage we conduct further checks on the promoter and their assets including a thorough review of the promoter’s financial affairs. Legal due diligence is also carried out and an in-depth understanding of security being offered is established.
Perfected Security
Santiago Capital take first legal charge over the assets we lend against and companies we lend to. This is a key requirement for any proposal and Santiago Capital often require additional make-weight security or personal guarantees to be put up also.
Release Funds & Project Monitoring
Santiago Capital release funds in one bullet or in tranches depending on the borrower’s requirements. We stay close to our projects and our clients. The projects are constantly monitored by the Portfolio Manager at Santiago Capital. For development projects, a Qualified Surveyor is appointed.
Our Team
)
Paul Owens
Director
)
Paul Owens
Director
Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, primarily in corporate and commercial lending within an international banking environment. He has worked for Bank of America, HSBC and for BNP Paribas, where he was responsible for managing and developing the bank’s corporate loan portfolio in Ireland.
His responsibilities also included managing the credit process and execution of all transactions. Paul is an experienced non-executive Director and has a strong background in risk management, governance and compliance.
)
Graham Cawley
CEO
)
Graham Cawley
CEO
Graham has 27 years investment and financial services experience in Davy, Credit-Suisse and BIAM, across a range of disciplines, latterly focusing on portfolio management, loan origination and advising clients. In 2018 with the support of key funders Graham germinated Santiago Capital from a private client investment loan portfolio assembled over several years into a dedicated alternative lending platform. Open, relaxed, purposeful and frank dialogue is key (provided we know what we are talking about!).
Graham is also a director of Santiago Investment Advisors Limited.
)
Conor Sanfey
CFO
)
Conor Sanfey
CFO
Conor Sanfey, CFO Santiago Capital, is a chartered accountant and a chartered tax consultant having spent 6 years in practice in BDO and PwC specialising in financial services and 5 years in JP Morgan and AIB working across various functions in finance teams with a proven track record of delivering on big finance transformation projects and loan management restructuring.
Conor plays a central role in the leadership team and is responsible for keeping our day to day operations efficient and on-track in the management of the loan portfolio and the credit risk.
)
Jenny Foy
Legal Counsel
)
Jenny Foy
Legal Counsel
Jenny is a qualified solicitor with extensive experience in real estate and banking transactions. After working in the real estate departments of two leading corporate law firms, Jenny moved to a large retail bank advising in the area of loan restructuring before joining Santiago Capital in March 2020 to take our legal work in house. Jenny has responsibility for carrying out legal due diligence, investigating title, drafting bespoke loan documentation and perfection of security.
)
Sai Vanam
Credit Risk Manager
)
Sai Vanam
Credit Risk Manager
Sai joined Santiago Capital with a Masters in Finance from UCD Michael Smurfit Business School. Sai previously worked as an apps specialist at Oracle Financial Services developing and analysing banking products. Sai holds a primary degree in electrical engineering and is responsible for systems, risk monitoring and analysis, ensuring Santiago monitors, understands and controls its exposure.
)
Rahul Ghosh
Financial Project Manager
)
Rahul Ghosh
Financial Project Manager
Rahul has joined Santiago Capital with a primary degree in Financial Accounting and Auditing, as well as an MSc in Finance from DIT. Prior to this role, Rahul worked as an accountant for Stacks Pharmacy, where he was responsible for preparing and analyzing Overhead Reports, Miscellaneous Income Reports, and monthly Balance Sheet Reconciliations for specific accounts. Rahul is responsible for preparing the management accounts and quarterly board reports, tracking the investors' investments and returns, and filing the CCR.
)
Riya Shankar
Investor Relations & Credit Analyst
)
Riya Shankar
Investor Relations & Credit Analyst
Riya joined Santiago Capital after completing Masters' in Finance from Trinity College, Dublin. Riya previously worked for Bain & Company where she played an integral role in supporting the unique transfer pricing requirements of various Bain offices as part of the Global Tax team. Riya is responsible for Investor Relations and Credit Analysis at Santiago Capital.
)
Dexter Cottam
Associate Director - Business Development
)
Dexter Cottam
Associate Director - Business Development
Dexter brings over 7 year’s experience in Financial Services across various roles, both in front and middle office capacity in Ireland and internationally. His expertise lies in crafting balanced strategies through quality conversations and a long-term perspective, ensuring tailored solutions for clients' unique needs. Currently, Dexter spearheads the business development function at Santiago Capital.