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The history of Squirrel
2021 - Thirteen years on
Squirrel's been around for 13 years now and it's been a journey, growing from just JB to over 70 strong and counting. But throughout it all, we've never lost sight of what we're all about - getting a better, fairer deal for our clients.
We have written over $8 billion of home loans and $100 million in peer-to-peer loans – helping out a lot of Kiwis in the process. Scroll down to go back through the years and see how we started.
2020
The year of the pandemic. Squirrel continued to grow, despite a year of uncertainty and turmoil we stayed true to our purpose. Growing our staff by around 50% and doubling our P2P lending, we launched some exciting new products that benefited both investors and borrowers alike including term investments into residential mortgages and bridging finance.
2016
Squirrel was the first to offer a secondary market to their P2P investors, offering them a way to sell their investments in the marketplace allowing them to get out early if they need to. Continuing to strive to offer a customer-centric service.
Squirrel Mortgages acquires Aspire Advisers, almost doubling the size of the company overnight.
2015
Squirrel Money peer-to-peer (P2P) lending launches. The first NZ P2P lender to be solely funded by Kiwi retail investors, lending to Kiwi borrowers. No institutions involved. Also the first to use a reserve fund to cover any losses meaning the investors get their monthly payments even if one of our borrowers misses a payment.
Squirrel takes all 27 employees on a trip to the Gold Coast, our first company conference. What goes on tour, stays on tour.
2008
On 29th January, John Bolton (aka JB) founded Squirrel during the midst of the GFC. Never one to shy away from a challenge, JB was sick of seeing the same old issues coming up again and again for home buyers. Nobody was in their corner, everyone was working on behalf of the seller.
JB felt it was time to even up the playing field so that's what he did with Squirrel. Squirrel is all about the buyer.
Zosimo
Auckland, [New Zealand]
Baz was always quick to respond and gave me advise and several options on my mortgage. He handles everything at the bank side and was able to secure me with cash back. Great work.Z
Nikhil
Auckland, [New Zealand]
Eleanor was very helpful and guided us throughout the process. Eleanor always responded to our queries regardless of how small or big it was and made the whole process stress free for us as a first home buyer. Thank you Squirrel & Eleanor NikhilN
Barbara
Auckland, [New Zealand]
Ben Goldsmith is an excellent mortgage broker. His communication was warm & efficient & he was quick to respond to our queries. He came highly recommended from a real estate agent we know & we will recommend him to our friends & colleagues.B
Ritnesh
, New Zealand
Sudam gave me good advise from start ti finish for my home purchase. Very knowledgeable and efficient person.R
Jaimin
, New Zealand
Aatish was really professional and panctual on communication to keep.me up to date with what happening with application and made refinance process very easy. Awesome customer service!J
Tanya
Hawkes Bay, [New Zealand]
Paul was recommended to us and we're so glad he was. Paul went above and beyond excellent service. Answering all our first home buyer questions and genuinely listening to us and giving us sound advice.T
Joel
Auckland, [New Zealand]
JB was super helpful, proactive and prompt. He quickly understood what I needed from this loan, researched the market and gave me a clear range of choices. After we discussed how to proceed, he made it happen super quick. Well done.J
Gaelyn
Auckland, [New Zealand]
It was easy from start to finish. I felt well informed and my needs were exceeded. A very simple and satisfying process.G
