About SM Finance Lounge

A whole-of-market mortgage and protection brokerage built on one simple idea: honest advice that puts you first.

Directly authorised by the FCA · NACFB Assured · Rated 5.0 from 120+ Google reviews

The SM Finance Lounge mortgage and protection team

Our story

SM Finance Lounge started with a mortgage that went wrong. When Simona Minikaitiene and her family applied for their first own home loan, the bank said no. A broker then got them approved with the very same lender, which showed her how much good advice matters. But that broker also pressured them into taking out protection, telling them it was compulsory when it wasn’t.

That experience stayed with her. Simona had moved to the UK from Lithuania at 15 and spent years working as a Lithuanian–English interpreter in social services and hospitals, helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. In 2019 she qualified as a mortgage adviser, and after working at a small Southampton firm and then a larger brokerage, she founded SM Finance Lounge in 2023.

In February 2025 SM Finance Lounge became directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Today our team has helped over 1,000 families and arranged more than £75 million in mortgages in the last 12 months, many of them for people who had been turned away elsewhere because of self-employed income, adverse credit or a smaller loan.

The principle hasn’t changed since day one: clear, honest advice, the right lender for your situation, and protection only when it genuinely makes sense for you.

Simona Minikaitiene, Founder

FCA authorised

Directly authorised, No. 1020196

NACFB Assured

For commercial finance

5.0 on Google

From 120+ client reviews

£75m+ arranged

In the last 12 months

How we work

  • Whole of market. We compare high street and specialist lenders to find a mortgage that fits your situation, not just the first lender that says yes.
  • Complex cases welcome. Self-employed, company directors, CIS contractors, zero hours, adverse credit, limited company buy to let: these are everyday cases for us.
  • Honest protection advice. We explain life, critical illness and income protection clearly, and recommend cover only when it’s right for you.
  • Advice in your language. Our team speaks English, Lithuanian and Russian, so nothing gets lost in translation.
  • No mortgage, no fee. If we can’t arrange your mortgage, you don’t pay our fee.

SM Finance Lounge Ltd is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check our details on the FCA registras using our firm reference number 1020196.

Meet the team

Five specialists, one goal: getting you the right mortgage and protection, explained clearly.

Simona Minikaitiene

Simona Minikaitiene

Founder & Mortgage Adviser

Founded SM Finance Lounge in 2023 and still advises clients every day.

Specialises in: first-time buyers, company directors, CIS contractors, complex incomes

Languages: English, Lithuanian

simona@smfinancelounge.co.uk
07566 864157

Galina Agintiene

Galina Agintiene

Mortgage Adviser

Known for finding a way forward when other lenders have said no.

Specialises in: adverse credit, visa holders, Shared Ownership, Right to Buy

Languages: English, Lithuanian, Russian

galina@smfinancelounge.co.uk
07934 204429

Ieva Mascinskaite

Ieva Mascinskaite

Mortgage Adviser

Brings a legal background to clear, careful mortgage advice.

Specialises in: first-time buyers, self-employed, complex incomes

Languages: English, Lithuanian, Russian

ieva@smfinancelounge.co.uk
07916 856336

Jaroslav Scerbakov

Jaroslav Scerbakov

Protection Adviser

Helps families and business owners put the right cover in place.

Specialises in: life insurance, critical illness, income protection, family income benefit

Languages: English, Lithuanian, Russian

jaro@smfinancelounge.co.uk
07513 888005

Ieva Rogoziene

Ieva Rogoziene

Mortgage Adviser

Takes the time to understand every client’s situation properly.

Specialises in: residential mortgages and remortgages

Languages: English, Lithuanian

i.rogoziene@smfinancelounge.co.uk
07593 356843

What our clients say

Posted on Google Google
Ranko Salih profile picture
Ranko Salih
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I had a great experience with Simona and Sm finance and definitely recommend them to anyone. My purchase was a complicated purchase because I am buying my high rise council flat. Unfortunately lenders didn’t interest to lend me in this specific purchase! but it was a great experience with Simona and SM finance , she didn’t leave me alone in the middle of the way! we had to try different banks and different ways thankfully we managed to borrow the money we needed ,hopefully in the next 3 months will be sorted.
Posted on Google Google
Ras Be profile picture
Ras Be
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Simona from SM Finance Lounge was absolutely amazing! She was quick, professional and always happy to help, replying to my messages even outside working hours. I truly appreciated her dedication and support throughout the whole process. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I will definitely be coming back and recommending her to my friends and family. Highly recommend! Thank you Simona xx
Posted on Google Google
Sigita Jakstiene profile picture
Sigita Jakstiene
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It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire team. At the beginning of the process, I was concerned that it might be challenging.However, with Viktorija and Simona’s support, everything went smoothly, and I always felt reassured knowing that I was in such capable hands. Thank you very much for all your help and support!xx
Posted on Google Google
Edvinas Jackauskas profile picture
Edvinas Jackauskas
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Professionals work, quick responses, very good experience. Thank you Simona Edvinas

Owner's reply
Thank you so much, Edvinas! It was a pleasure helping you. I really appreciate your trust, your kind words and taking the time to leave such a lovely review. Wishing you all the very best! 😊
Posted on Google Google
Lina Radzvilaite profile picture
Lina Radzvilaite
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Galina was very professional and made our complicated mortgage process much easier. We truly appreciate her support and highly recommend her services.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much, Lina, for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that Galina made the mortgage process feel easier, especially with a more complicated case. We really appreciate your trust, recommendation and kind words. ❤️
Posted on Google Google
Mantas Kutkaitis profile picture
Mantas Kutkaitis
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Superb broker! Very helpful. Simona answered a million of my questions and explained everything clearly what I did not understand. Thank you! Highly recommended! 👌
Posted on Google Google
Laurynas Buzas profile picture
Laurynas Buzas
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Absolutely fantastic service from SM Finances! Well organised from start to finish, and they really go the extra mile to understand your property needs. They guided me clearly through every step of what I needed to do in order to be accepted for a mortgage—which took so much stress out of the process. Great communication and genuine care throughout. Highly recommended

Owner's reply
Thank you so much, Laurynas, for such a lovely review! We’re really pleased we could make the mortgage process clear and take some of the stress away. It was a pleasure helping you throughout your journey, and we really appreciate you trusting SM Finance Lounge with your mortgage. Wishing you all the best in your new home! 🏡
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Let’s talk about your mortgage

Whether you’re buying your first home, remortgaging, investing or protecting your family, we’ll give you clear, honest advice from the start.