Private Bank Mortgages
Private bank mortgages are designed for borrowers whose circumstances don’t fit a standard retail or high-street lending model. Anderson Harris typically advises high-net-worth clients on securing private banking mortgages for prime UK property. We can help when income, assets, and finances need a more bespoke solution.
Clients typically come to us when they need:
A large or complex loan that isn’t available from more traditional lenders
A bespoke product based on assets, bonuses, dividends, or other irregular income
A relationship-led, discreet service that provides trustworthy advice
What Is A Private Bank Mortgage?
A private bank mortgage is, as the name suggests, a loan provided by a private bank, often as part of a more complete financial and wealth management product range. As mass-market affordability models and lending criteria do not restrict their operations, private banking mortgages can tailor their products to a broader range of borrower circumstances.
A bespoke private bank mortgage suitable for high-net-worth individuals, such as business owners, investors, and senior professionals, typically offers flexibility around their income structure, loan size and repayment strategy. Private banks, thanks to their ownership arrangements and attitude to risk, are often better placed to create relationship-based bespoke mortgage solutions than other providers.
It’s important to note that a private bank mortgage is not “private finance” or unregulated lending. As an ethical private bank mortgage broker, we advise our clients on fully regulated UK mortgage products, offered by established private banks.
Who Do Private Bank Mortgages Suit?
As high-net-worth mortgage brokers, Anderson Harris is well placed to match clients with the right mortgage product. In our experience, private banking mortgages suit clients in broad categories. For example
High-Net-Worth Customers
Private banks are often the best for borrowers who hold substantial liquid or investable assets, even if taxable income alone appears modest.
City Professionals With Bonus-Heavy Income
Obtaining a mortgage with bonus income can be challenging. However, the good news is that private banks are often willing to structure borrowing around irregular income.
Business Owners & Company Directors
Compared to regular lenders, private banks are more likely to provide mortgages with dividend income and retained profits mortgages tailored to business owners’ needs.
Borrowers With Multiple Income Streams
Borrowers often turn to private bank mortgages for prime central London locations and high-value property purchases elsewhere in the UK, where loan sizes are substantial.
Ex-Pat Buyers & Foreign Currency Earners
Private banks can be internationally focused and structure mortgage products globally. If you’re in one of the above categories, it may be that a private bank is the best lender for your requirements. We know that securing a private bank mortgage can feel intimidating; however, our team of specialist mortgage brokers stands ready to help you navigate the marketplace.
How Private Banks Assess Affordability
Private banks assess risk differently compared to more mainstream lenders. The focus of their approach is overall sustainability, structure and balance-sheet strength rather than rigid multiples and the ‘checklist’ lending criteria you might see on the high street.
Income Assessment
Private banks will still consider your basic salary, but they have more flexibility to include regular and irregular bonuses, dividend income and retained company profits. The emphasis of private bank assessments is consistency and credibility of any individual borrower’s earning potential. It’s why private banks are popular amongst high-net-worth individuals.
Asset Position & Liquidity
Assets matter more to private banks than to other lenders. Cash, investments, and other realisable holdings can strengthen a private banking application and influence both the rate and the repayment structure. It pays to share a complete picture of your asset profile with potential lenders at the start of any mortgage application process.
Credit Profile & Existing Commitments
Credit history is still reviewed in detail for private banking mortgages, alongside an applicant's existing borrowing, guarantees, obligations and contingent liabilities. It is essential to review your history and be fully transparent about any issues before beginning a mortgage search. Surprises can prove costly as the process progresses.
LTV Expectations & Deposit Levels
Loan-to-value requirements vary by bank, attitude to risk, property value and client circumstances. Larger loans often require stronger equity positions, but with a private bank mortgage, it is likely that you will find an individual package to suit your requirements.
Underwriting & Documentation
Private bank mortgage underwriting is typically bespoke, making the process manual, detailed, and relationship-based. This means prospective borrowers need to be ready to answer more questions and provide more evidence than a high-street equivalent would require, for example. It is here that working with a private banking mortgage broker, such as Anderson Harris, can prove invaluable. For example, before approaching a private bank, we typically ask for the following from our clients;
Payslips and bonus history
Company accounts and dividend records (if applicable)
Asset and liability summary
Property details and purchase strategy
Armed with this information, we can search the market for the right private bank mortgage provider and start a dialogue which will ultimately lead to a successful home purchase.
| Option | When it works best |
|---|---|
| Private bank mortgage | High loan sizes, complex income, asset-rich borrowers |
| High-street mortgage | Straightforward PAYE income and lower loan amounts |
| Specialist lender | Credit complexity or niche property types |
| Short-term Bridging Lending | Time-critical purchases or transitional finance |
Common Structures & Features
Private bank mortgages are typically wholly bespoke products, but it might be helpful to note common features suitable for high-net-worth borrowers with complex requirements.
Interest-only or repayment options
Fixed or tracker rates
Offset or cash-linked structures
Lending supported by assets
Multi-property or portfolio lending
An experienced private bank mortgage broker can help structure a mortgage product around their client’s wider financial circumstances. Independent advice should always guide you through your options.
Arranging A Private Bank Mortgage
At Anderson Harris, we have developed a proven step-by-step mortgage application process to help our clients find the right high-net-value, bonus or asset-backed mortgage product for their circumstances.
Initial Discovery
We undertake an initial financial assessment phase of activity to understand your income, assets, objectives and property plans.
Market Review
Once we have a clear understanding of your circumstances, we identify which private banks are best suited to your requirements. To help, we have a range of unique relationships with the private banking sector.
Fact Find & Feedback
Anderson Harris believes you should be fully informed before making any decisions, which is why you will receive clear feedback and independent advice before any formal approach is made.
Property Search & Application
Once you’re at the stage of making an offer on your new home, we’re with you at every stage of the application process to ensure the paperwork is correct, negotiations run smoothly, and the deal is completed with minimal fuss.
Legals, Insurances, Oversight & Review
Support doesn’t stop at the offer; we remain involved through completion and beyond. Anderson Harris can continue to provide guidance long after the initial private banking mortgage is complete.
Private bank mortgages are not instant. From the first conversation to the offer, examples often take time and detailed discussions, depending on the transaction’s complexity. However, you can be confident Anderson Harris will be beside you, acting on your behalf, every step of the way.
FAQs
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A private bank mortgage is a regulated mortgage product offered by a private bank. Typically, they assess affordability using a broader view of income, assets and financial position than is available elsewhere.
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Not always, but many private banks expect a broader relationship, which may include holding additional assets or deposits with them.
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Rates can be competitive, but value often comes from flexibility, structure and service rather than headline pricing alone.
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Yes. Interest-only is not uncommon as an option for private banking products, particularly where assets or long-term repayment strategies can be clearly evidenced.
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Yes. Private banks are often well-suited to complex income, including bonuses, dividends, and retained profits.
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The required deposit will vary depending on your circumstances and the lender you choose.
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Often, yes. Many clients exploring million-pound mortgages use private banks for flexibility and discretion.
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Private bank mortgages are regulated, long-term home loans. Private finance usually refers to short-term or alternative lending from other private sources.
Private Bank Mortgages Vs Other Options
A good private bank mortgage adviser will help you navigate through the whole mortgage marketplace to choose the correct route for you.
It may be that alternatives to a private bank product, such as short-term bridging loans or high-street offers, are better suited to your needs.
Speak To A Private Bank Mortgage Adviser
Successfully obtaining a private bank mortgage requires judgement, access and experience. As an established, proven high-net-worth mortgage broker, Anderson Harris provides discreet, straightforward advice and direct access to UK private banks. If you’re considering a private bank mortgage in London or anywhere in the UK, speak to an adviser who understands how these lenders really work.
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