Mortgage guide
Private Mortgages: detailed guide
Expert advice on private bank mortgages for high net worth clients, expats & complex income. Whole of market access to UK private lenders.
- Published
- 17 Aug 2026
- Last reviewed
- 17 Aug 2026
- Reading time
- 3 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.
Private home loans and private home financing
A private home loan is a residential mortgage arranged through a private bank or specialist lender for a home the borrower will live in, rather than an investment property.
Read more about Private home loans and private home financing
Mortgage loans from private individuals
A mortgage loan from a private individual is an arrangement where a person, often a family member or private investor, lends money secured against a property instead of a bank. These privately funded arrangements sit outside mainstream mortgage products and carry legal and regulatory considerations for both parties, including whether the lender requires FCA authorisation for regulated mortgage contracts.
Mortgage repayment calculator
Private mortgage lenders and private mortgage companies
Private mortgage lenders are specialist, non-high-street lenders and private mortgage companies that provide mortgage finance outside standard bank criteria. Unlike private banks, most private mortgage companies do not require a wider banking or investment relationship; the lending decision is based on the security, the borrower profile, and the exit or repayment strategy.
Read more about Private mortgage lenders and private mortgage companies
Large mortgages and high net worth lending
A large mortgage, sometimes called a million-plus mortgage, is a loan size above the comfortable lending range of most high street banks and is usually arranged through private banks or specialist large loan lenders. Loan size thresholds vary by lender.
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% |
Related case studies
Read more about Shared Ownership MortgageShared Ownership Mortgage
Mortgage secured after an affordability appeal
- Area:
- West Midlands
- Loan size:
- £92,000
Frequently asked questions
What is a private mortgage?
A private mortgage is a mortgage arranged through a private bank or a specialist private mortgage lender instead of a mainstream high street bank. Private mortgages are underwritten individually, which is why they are used by borrowers with large loan requirements, complex income, or wealth held in investments, businesses, trusts or overseas assets.
What is a private home loan?
A private home loan is a residential mortgage, arranged through a private bank or specialist lender, on a home the borrower will live in. It is used where income or wealth does not fit standard residential underwriting, for example for business owners, bonus-based earners and buyers of high-value homes.
Who are private mortgage lenders in the UK?
Private mortgage lenders in the UK are private banks and specialist private mortgage companies that lend outside high street criteria. Some accept applications only through intermediaries, so borrowers often reach them through a mortgage broker.
Are private mortgages regulated?
A private mortgage secured on the borrower's own home is normally a regulated mortgage contract, overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the same way as a high street residential mortgage. Lending for investment purposes can fall outside regulation, and where the borrower is a high net worth mortgage customer under the FCA definition some MCOB rules apply differently. Ask your adviser which protections apply to your arrangement.
Are private mortgages interest only?
Private mortgages can be arranged on an interest-only basis, subject to a credible repayment strategy. Acceptable strategies can include the sale of the property, the sale of other assets, investment maturities or planned liquidity events such as a business sale, and the lender asks for evidence of the strategy and tests it during underwriting.
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