In Israel’s mortgage market, not every transaction fits a standard template. Some involve income earned across multiple countries, assets held in different jurisdictions or financial documentation that requires closer interpretation. A tailored banking approach is designed to address exactly those situations. At Bank of Jerusalem’s private banking branch, mortgage activity is handled in a boutique-style environment that emphasizes hands-on execution and continuity.
Shmuel Kaufman, Bank of JerusalemPhoto: Bank of Jerusalem Shmuel Kaufman, head of the mortgage team, oversees transactions that call for detailed analysis, customized structuring and close involvement from the first discussion through completion. “Our work is very practical,” Kaufman said. “We look at the full financial picture and build a mortgage that fits the client’s situation.” Kaufman, 34, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and management, with a specialization in real estate appraisal. He has eight years of experience in Israel’s banking system, including four years at Bank Jerusalem.
Not all buyers arrive with familiar income structures or straightforward documentation. According to Kaufman, experience and attention to detail play a central role. “When financial activity extends beyond Israel, the documents look different,” he said. “You need to understand what they represent and how they reflect the client’s real financial capacity.” That analysis allows the bank to move beyond surface-level figures and focus on substance rather than form.
Practical mortgage structuring
Rather than relying on preset models, the tailored approach emphasizes building mortgage structures that align with the client’s financial timing and objectives. “There are different ways to structure a mortgage,” Kaufman said. “The important part is choosing the structure that works for the client’s circumstances.” That often includes explaining how repayments behave over time and how different components affect monthly obligations. “Clarity reduces uncertainty,” he said.
In complex cases, much of the value lies in process management. “A mortgage involves many steps,” Kaufman said. “We break the process into clear stages and stay involved throughout.” Clients receive structured guidance, clear explanations and a consistent point of contact. “Knowing who is responsible and where to turn with questions makes a meaningful difference,” he said.
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'Clients often need support that continues beyond the purchase itself'
(Photo: Bank of Jerusalem)
Some transactions involve transitional periods, such as aligning payments with future cash flow or coordinating timelines across locations. Kaufman said a tailored approach allows these realities to be reflected in the mortgage structure. “It is about matching the mortgage to real life,” he said.
Israel as a long-term anchor
Despite global uncertainty, Israeli real estate continues to play a role in long-term planning for many families. “For many people, property in Israel represents continuity and connection,” Kaufman said. Interest remains strong in cities such as Jerusalem, Ramat Beit Shemesh, Netanya and Ra’anana, often driven by established communities and family ties. In a boutique-style banking environment, the mortgage is part of a broader relationship. “Clients often need support that continues beyond the purchase itself,” Kaufman said. “Consistency over time builds confidence.”
Asked what distinguishes this way of working, Kaufman pointed to responsibility and involvement. “In complex situations, clients value a bank that stays engaged and takes ownership of the process,” he said. “That is what a tailored banking approach is meant to provide.”
* In collaboration with Bank of Jerusalem
* * Failure to meet loan repayment obligations may result in penalty interest and legal enforcement procedures according to the Bank's terms at the time the loan is taken
First published: 11:17, 02.08.26