Mortgage guide
Private bank mortgages
A private bank mortgage is a mortgage provided by a private bank, usually to high net worth clients, and underwritten on a bespoke basis rather than through standard affordability models. Private banks assess the borrower’s overall wealth, income streams, and asset position, which allows greater flexibility on loan size, interest-only borrowing, and complex ownership structures.
- Published
- 17 Aug 2026
- Last reviewed
- 17 Aug 2026
- Reading time
- 2 min
Private bank mortgages
A private bank mortgage is a mortgage provided by a private bank, usually to high net worth clients, and underwritten on a bespoke basis rather than through standard affordability models. Private banks assess the borrower’s overall wealth, income streams, and asset position, which allows greater flexibility on loan size, interest-only borrowing, and complex ownership structures.
Many private banks link mortgage lending to a wider banking relationship. This can include a requirement to place assets under management (AUM) with the bank, such as investment portfolios, as a condition of lending. In return, borrowers may access preferential pricing, higher loan-to-value tolerance on large loans, or lending against income and asset types that mainstream lenders decline.
Some private banks also offer what is known as dry lending, meaning a private bank mortgage without any AUM requirement. Availability of dry lending varies with market conditions and the strength of the applicant profile, which is why whole-of-market advice is important before committing to a single institution.
Private bank mortgages are commonly used for high-value residential purchases, refinances of unencumbered property, interest-only borrowing into retirement, and lending to expats, foreign nationals, and borrowers using trust or corporate structures.
Mortgage repayment calculator
Private mortgage criteria
For context, these are the wider product terms covered by this guide. Availability and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender.
| Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
| Borrowers | Personal names, limited companies, an LLP, trusts and offshore structures |
| Repayment type | Interest only, repayment, or part and part |
| Term | Up to 40 years on residential lending in our experience; each lender sets its own maximum |
| Minimum loan size | Set by each lender; some private banks and large loan lenders have a minimum loan size |
| Maximum loan to value (LTV) | Set by each lender for the borrower and the security |
| Income types considered | Salary, bonus, dividends, investment income and foreign currency income |
| Assets under management (AUM) | Required by some private banks; others offer dry lending without AUM |
| Residency | UK residents, expats and foreign nationals |
| Credit approach | Bespoke underwriting with manual assessment |
| Locations | England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland |
For context, these are the wider product terms covered by this guide. Availability and eligibility depend on your circumstances and the lender.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product fee | From £0-£995 |
| Type | Residential |
| Rates | From 4.59% |
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- Area:
- West Midlands
- Loan size:
- £92,000
Frequently asked questions
Do private banks offer better mortgage rates?
Not necessarily. Private banks can offer competitive terms on large loans, particularly where the client has a wider banking or investment relationship with the bank. Their pricing is set case by case and is not published, so private bank mortgage rates vary and are worth comparing with specialist and mainstream alternatives before you choose.
Do I need assets under management to get a private bank mortgage?
Not always. Some private banks make assets under management (AUM) a condition of mortgage lending, while others offer dry lending with no AUM requirement. Whether a condition applies depends on the institution, the loan size and the strength of the borrower's overall profile.
What is a private bank mortgage?
A private bank mortgage is relationship lending for wealthy clients, assessing wider wealth and often linked to assets held with the bank, offering flexibility on structure and income that standard lenders may not.
Do private banks offer mansion mortgages?
Yes, private banks are active lenders on mansion mortgages, particularly for loans above high-street limits or for borrowers with complex wealth. Private banks can consider investment portfolios, business assets and international income, and some may ask for a wider banking or investment relationship as part of the lending arrangement.
What is the minimum loan size for a private bank mortgage?
Each private bank sets its own minimum loan size for a private bank mortgage, so no single entry threshold applies across the market. Private banks generally focus on larger loans than high street lenders, and some private banks also set minimum income or net worth requirements alongside the minimum loan size.
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