The Challenge
The cross-jurisdictional nature of ultra-high net worth wealth often complicates access to capital, particularly when conventional solutions break down under structural or legal complexity. Such was the case for François Mollat du Jourdin, Chairman and Founder of MJ & Cie—a high-touch global multi-family office— when his client sought to refinance a private real estate property in France.
Though seemingly a straightforward cash-out refinance, the directive was complicated by a temporary lapse in the borrower’s income, the property’s use as a primary residence, and the complexities of the French regulatory environment. After exhaustive, yet fruitless, discussions with traditional financial institutions, it became clear that a bespoke solution was required.
The Solution
The client’s journey led them to Leyster Capital through the unassailable trust of a personal connection.
At the core of Leyster’s appeal was its lean, expert team who demonstrated an intuitive grasp of the complex, multi-jurisdictional nuances of the deal. Backed by a prominent financial institution, Leyster offers both credibility and the substantial financial capacity required for this level of transaction.
Crucially, the Leyster team had a compelling grasp of the stringent French regulatory environment, allowing them to pioneer a bespoke structure that provided critical capital to the borrower, while managing risk as a foreign lender.
Leyster’s direct, clear, and ethical communication style was particularly valued. Mollat du Jourdin emphasized: “A yes was a yes. A no was a no … There was not a single second that my client or I felt that Leyster was trying to trick us.”
The Outcome
For this urgent scenario, Leyster meticulously structured a fully paid-in-kind $16.4-million, two-year loan. Their ability to understand and circumvent the specific French regulatory hurdles and market idiosyncrasies was a testament to their specialized expertise.
This bespoke financial architecture enabled the client to unlock critical liquidity against their landmark property, all while meticulously adhering to local compliance. The engagement stood as a powerful example of how relationship-driven service, combined with profound financial acumen and uncompromising transparency, can yield successful outcomes in the most challenging of circumstances.
As Mollat du Jourdin summarized, Leyster offers flexible, pragmatic solutions. He added: “Leyster is tough. And very demanding. But they are very fair. And they are extremely committed. That is very nice in a business environment.”