Compare Mortgage Rates from Cambridge & Counties Bank Against the Market starting at 2.2%

About Cambridge & Counties Bank

The bank was established to fill the gap left by larger banks that retreated from SME lending after the financial crisis. Its core philosophy is "manual underwriting" and "relationship banking."

Unlike major banks that use automated credit scoring ("computer says no"), Cambridge & Counties Bank assigns a Business Development Manager and an underwriter to look at the "story" behind every application. This makes them a prime choice for complex cases that don't fit standard boxes.

Mortgage & Property Finance Products

Cambridge & Counties Bank lends on properties across England, Scotland, and Wales. Their minimum loan size is typically £250,000 (or £500,000 in Scotland).

• Commercial Mortgages:

  • Owner-Occupier: For businesses buying their own trading premises (offices, warehouses, factories).

  • Commercial Investment: For investors buying commercial property to rent out.

• Residential Buy-to-Let (BTL):

  • Professional Investors: They generally require applicants to be experienced landlords.

  • Complex Structures: They lend to Limited Companies (SPVs), LLPs, and Trusts.

  • HMOs: Finance for Houses in Multiple Occupation (large student lets or shared housing).

  • Expats: They will lend to UK nationals living abroad.

• Bridging Finance:

  • Short-term loans (up to 24 months) for purchasing or refinancing residential and commercial properties quickly.

  • Often used for auction purchases or refurbishment projects.

• Refurbishment Loans:

  • For light to heavy refurbishment works on residential or commercial assets.

• Pension Fund Lending:

  • Specialist lending to SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) and SSAS (Small Self-Administered Scheme) pension funds to buy commercial property.

Note: They also have a specialist Classic Car Finance division and offer business savings accounts, but they do not offer standard home mortgages for you to buy a house to live in.

Pros and Cons of Cambridge & Counties Bank

Here is a balanced overview of choosing this lender.

Pros:

• Manual Underwriting: Decisions are made by people, not algorithms. They can listen to the "story" behind a complex deal (e.g., unusual income, quirky property types).

• Unique Ownership: Owned by a university college and a pension fund, they have a stable, long-term outlook rather than chasing short-term shareholder profits.

• Direct Access: Unusually for a specialist lender, you can often speak directly to a Business Development Manager even if you haven't used a broker.

• No Computer Credit Score: They do not use an automated scorecard to reject applications. They assess the individual's track record and the asset quality.

Cons:

• Minimum Loan Sizes: Their minimum loan is £250k, which rules out smaller investment purchases. In Scotland, the minimum is even higher at £500k.

• Not for Beginners: They typically lend to experienced property investors and business owners. First-time landlords may struggle to get approved.

• No Residential Mortgages: They cannot help with your personal home mortgage.

• Higher Rates: As a specialist commercial lender, their interest rates are higher than standard residential or "vanilla" BTL mortgages from high-street giants.

Customer Service and Reviews

Cambridge & Counties Bank has an exceptional reputation for service. On the independent review site Smart Money People, they consistently score 5 out of 5, with a rating of "Excellent."

Reviews frequently highlight the "refreshing" personal service, the speed of decisions, and the ability to speak to knowledgeable staff who remember the client's name. They have won multiple industry awards, including "Best Commercial Mortgage Provider."

How to Apply for Finance

You have two routes to apply, offering more flexibility than many specialist lenders:

1. Direct Application: You can contact the bank directly via their website or phone. Their internal Business Development Managers (BDMs) can guide you through the process and issue an indicative offer.

2. Through a Broker (recommended): Many professional investors prefer to use a commercial mortgage broker. Brokers often have established relationships with the bank's underwriters and can package the application to ensure it meets the "manual" criteria efficiently.

Get started here to begin a free, no-obligation chat with a mortgage broker who specialises in Cambridge & Counties Bank’s product range, can compare it against the market for you, and offer bespoke advice on which option you should choose.