Compare Mortgage Rates from Birmingham Bank Against the Market starting at 2.2%

About Birmingham Bank

Birmingham Bank has a history dating back to 1955, originally founded to serve independent retailers (under the name Bira Bank). In recent years, it has rebranded and pivoted to become a specialist challenger bank.

Following its acquisition by the digital mortgage platform Better, the bank has focused its lending exclusively on the Buy-to-Let (BTL) market. Its core proposition is combining the speed of modern technology with manual underwriting. Unlike high-street banks that rely on "computer-says-no" algorithms, Birmingham Bank employs human underwriters to make common-sense decisions on complex cases.

Mortgage & Finance Products

Birmingham Bank does not offer standard residential mortgages for homeowners (i.e., to buy a house to live in). Its lending is strictly for property investors.

• Specialist Buy-to-Let (BTL): Their core product range is designed for professional landlords who may not fit the rigid criteria of mainstream lenders.

  • Portfolio Landlords: They are comfortable lending to investors with large portfolios (no limit on the number of background properties).

  • Limited Companies (SPVs): They lend to Special Purpose Vehicles (limited companies set up to hold property), not just individuals.

  • HMOs & MUFBs: They provide finance for Houses in Multiple Occupation (up to 6 rooms) and Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (up to 6 units).

  • Consumer Buy-to-Let: They can consider "accidental" landlords or those regulated as consumer BTL, which many commercial lenders avoid.

• Savings Accounts:

  • Unlike their mortgages, which are sold via brokers, their Personal Savings accounts are available directly to the public. They often appear in "best buy" tables for fixed-rate bonds and are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Pros and Cons of Birmingham Bank

Here is a balanced overview of choosing Birmingham Bank for your property finance.

Pros:

• Manual Underwriting: This is their biggest strength. An underwriter looks at the full picture of your application, making them ideal for complex cases that fail automated scorecards (e.g., complex income, large portfolios).

• No Application Fee: They typically do not charge an upfront application fee, which reduces the initial risk of applying.

• Digital Speed: Since being acquired by Better, they have invested heavily in technology to speed up the application-to-offer timeline.

• Flexible Criteria: They accept first-time landlords (in some cases) and are flexible on property types like flats above shops or HMOs.

Cons:

• Intermediary-Only: You cannot apply for a mortgage directly. You must use an approved mortgage broker. (Savings accounts can be opened directly).

• No Residential Mortgages: If you want to buy a home to live in, this lender cannot help you.

• Niche Focus: They are a specialist lender, so their interest rates are typically higher than the "vanilla" BTL rates offered by high-street giants like The Mortgage Works or Birmingham Midshires.

Customer Service and Reviews

Because their mortgage products are sold exclusively through brokers, borrower reviews are scarce. However, brokers generally rate them well for their accessibility and the ability to discuss a deal with an underwriter directly.

On the savings side, they have a Feefo rating of roughly 4.8/5, with customers praising the simple online setup and competitive interest rates. The bank prides itself on being UK-based with a customer service team that is easy to reach.

How to Apply

The application route depends on the product you want:

1. For Savings: You can apply directly via the Birmingham Bank website. The process is digital and typically takes less than 10 minutes.

2. For Mortgages: You must use a mortgage intermediary.

• Find an independent mortgage broker (specialist BTL brokers are best).

• The broker will assess your portfolio and submit your case to Birmingham Bank via their dedicated portal.

• Because they are a specialist lender, they are often accessed via "packagers" (specialist firms that help brokers submit complex applications).

Get started here to begin a free, no-obligation chat with a broker who specialises in Birmingham Bank’s product range and can help you access their deals.