Hampshire Trust Bank

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) is a UK-regulated specialist bank that has built an outstanding reputation in the property lending market through its combination of speed, flexibility, and deep expertise in bridging finance and development funding. Founded in 1977 as Hampshire Trust plc, the bank has undergone significant evolution over the decades, but its transformation into a leading specialist property lender began in earnest in 2014 when a new management team repositioned the business to focus exclusively on property-backed lending. This strategic pivot has been remarkably successful, with HTB growing into one of the most respected and active specialist property lenders in the UK.

HTB operates from its headquarters in London and is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The bank's regulatory status as a fully licensed UK bank provides borrowers with confidence in its governance, stability, and long-term commitment to the market. Unlike some specialist lenders that operate under less stringent regulatory frameworks, HTB's full banking licence means it is subject to the highest standards of prudential regulation, capital adequacy, and conduct oversight.

The bank's bridging finance division is widely regarded as one of the best in the UK market. HTB provides bridging loans from £150,000 to £25 million, with terms of up to 18 months and loan-to-value ratios of up to 75%. What distinguishes HTB's bridging proposition is not just the headline terms but the quality and speed of execution. The bank's bridging team is staffed by experienced property professionals who understand the urgency of short-term funding requirements and have the authority to make rapid credit decisions. Decisions in principle are routinely available within 24 hours, and completions in as little as five working days are achievable for cases where the valuation and legal work can be expedited.

HTB's bridging finance covers a comprehensive range of scenarios: acquisition bridging for property purchases requiring fast completion, refurbishment bridging for light and heavy renovation projects, auction finance for the 28-day completion window required by most auction houses, chain-break finance for borrowers caught between selling one property and purchasing another, and equity release bridging for borrowers who need to unlock capital from existing property assets quickly. The bank's willingness to consider complex scenarios — such as properties requiring significant refurbishment, assets with planning complications, or transactions involving multiple parties — sets it apart from competitors that focus primarily on straightforward bridging cases.

HTB's development finance proposition is equally strong. The bank provides facilities from £500,000 to £35 million for residential development projects, from small conversion schemes to major new-build developments of up to 150 units or more. Development finance facilities cover land acquisition, demolition, construction costs, professional fees, and statutory costs, with gross development value lending of up to 65% and loan-to-cost ratios of up to 85%. HTB's development team brings genuine construction industry knowledge to their assessments, enabling them to evaluate build programmes, cost plans, and construction methodologies with a level of sophistication that sets the bank apart from lenders whose development finance is simply an extension of their standard commercial lending.

The bank's approach to development finance assessment is thorough but efficient. HTB requires developers to demonstrate relevant experience, but the level of track record expected is proportionate to the scale and complexity of the proposed scheme. A developer with experience in small conversions seeking finance for a larger scheme will be considered if the step-up is reasonable and the professional team — including architects, quantity surveyors, and contractors — is appropriately qualified. This pragmatic approach to developer experience allows HTB to support the growth ambitions of developing businesses while maintaining appropriate risk management.

HTB also provides commercial mortgages for longer-term investment and owner-occupied requirements, though the bank's strongest competitive position is in bridging and development finance. Commercial mortgage facilities are available from £150,000 to £15 million, with LTV ratios of up to 75% and terms of up to 25 years. The bank finances offices, retail, industrial, mixed-use, and specialist commercial properties, with the same flexible underwriting approach that characterises its short-term lending divisions.

One of HTB's defining characteristics is the quality of its people. The bank has deliberately recruited experienced property finance professionals from across the banking and specialist lending sectors, building a team that combines commercial awareness with deep technical knowledge. This expertise is evident at every stage of the lending process, from initial case assessment through to drawdown management on development facilities. Borrowers and brokers consistently report that HTB's team is among the most knowledgeable and responsive in the market, providing clear guidance and realistic assessments rather than the ambiguous feedback that can characterise dealings with less specialist lenders.

HTB's typical interest rates reflect its position as a specialist lender focused on speed and flexibility rather than the lowest possible pricing. Bridging loan rates start from around 0.55% per month, with arrangement fees of approximately 2%. Development finance rates are typically structured as a margin over Base Rate or a fixed rate for the duration of the facility, with arrangement fees of 1.5% to 2%. Commercial mortgage rates start from around 5.75% with arrangement fees of 1% to 2%. While these rates may be higher than the most competitive high street bank pricing for straightforward cases, they reflect the speed, certainty, and flexibility that HTB delivers — qualities that are often worth significantly more than a modest rate differential, particularly in time-sensitive transactions.

The application process with HTB is designed for speed without sacrificing thoroughness. Bridging loan enquiries receive a decision in principle within hours, often on the same day. Development finance enquiries are assessed within 48 hours, with detailed indicative terms provided once the bank has reviewed the key project parameters. For both product types, HTB can work at pace through the valuation and legal processes, using its panel of experienced valuers and solicitors who understand the bank's approach and can prioritise cases where speed is essential. The bank's in-house legal team also helps to expedite the process by identifying and resolving potential legal issues early in the transaction.

For borrowers working with Commercial Mortgage Broker, Hampshire Trust Bank is one of our most valued panel lenders for time-sensitive transactions and development projects. The bank's combination of speed, expertise, and reliability makes it a lender we consistently recommend when fast execution is essential or when a deal requires the kind of flexible, expert underwriting that only a genuine specialist can provide. Our longstanding relationship with HTB's senior team means we can escalate cases where speed is critical and negotiate terms that reflect the quality of the borrowers we introduce.