Compare Mortgage Rates from Castle Trust Bank Against the Market starting at 2.7%

Castle Trust Bank is a specialist lender and savings provider that has evolved significantly since its launch in 2012. Originally an investment firm, it became a fully authorised bank in 2020.

Unlike high-street banks that offer a "one-size-fits-all" approach, Castle Trust Bank is a specialist property finance lender. They do not offer standard residential mortgages for homebuyers. Instead, they focus entirely on providing flexible finance for property investors, landlords, and businesses, often handling complex cases that mainstream computer systems would reject.

If you have seen a buy-to-let mortgage rate advertised by Castle Trust Bank and wish to compare it against the rest of the market, you can use our free mortgage-sourcing tool below, or speak to a broker for a comparison of their bridging products.

About Castle Trust Bank

Backed by the global private equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co., Castle Trust Bank prides itself on offering "certainty of funding" and manual underwriting.

Their core philosophy is to look at the individual merits of a case rather than relying on a credit score. This makes them a key problem-solver for borrowers with complicated setups, such as expats, limited companies, or those needing to bridge a gap quickly.

Mortgage & Finance Products

Castle Trust Bank’s lending products are designed exclusively for property investors in England and Wales.

• Bridging Finance:

  • Residential Bridging: Short-term loans (typically 9–18 months) for purchasing or refinancing residential property.

  • Refurbishment: They offer funding for Light Refurbishment (aesthetic updates) and Heavy Refurbishment (extensions, conversions) with the option to draw down funds in stages.

  • "Bridge the Gap": A unique 12-month product designed for investors waiting for interest rates to settle or to build a rental track record before locking into a long-term mortgage.

• Buy-to-Let (BTL) Mortgages:

  • TermTen: Their flagship BTL product is a 10-year term loan (often with a 5-year fixed rate). This provides longer-term stability for landlords.

  • Complex BTL: They are experts in lending to Limited Companies (SPVs), Portfolio Landlords, and on complex assets like HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) and MUFBs (Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks).

  • Expats & Foreign Nationals: They actively lend to UK nationals living abroad and foreign nationals wishing to invest in UK property.

• Savings:

  • Unlike their mortgages, their savings accounts are available directly to the public. They offer competitive Fixed Rate Bonds and Fixed Rate Cash ISAs, often featuring in "best buy" tables.

Pros and Cons of Castle Trust Bank

Here is a balanced overview of choosing this lender for your property finance.

Pros:

• Manual Underwriting: Every case is assessed by a human underwriter who can take a commercial view on complex situations (e.g., complex corporate structures or unusual income).

• Innovative Products: Their "Bridge the Gap" and "TermTen" products offer flexibility that standard 2-year or 5-year mortgages often lack.

• Expat Friendly: They are one of the more flexible lenders for non-UK residents and expats looking to invest in the UK.

• High LTV Bridging: They can offer up to 80% LTV (Loan to Value) on bridging loans, which is higher than the industry standard of 70-75%.

Cons:

• Intermediary-Only (Mortgages): You cannot apply for a mortgage directly. You must use a qualified mortgage broker.

• No Owner-Occupier Mortgages: If you are looking to buy a home to live in yourself, Castle Trust Bank cannot help you.

• Cost: As a specialist lender offering high flexibility, their interest rates and arrangement fees are typically higher than "vanilla" high-street lenders like The Mortgage Works or Birmingham Midshires.

Customer Service and Reviews

Castle Trust Bank has built a strong reputation for service, particularly on the savings side. They were named "Savings Provider of the Year" at the Moneynet Awards and "Best Bridging Newcomer" at the Bridging & Commercial Awards.

On the independent review site Smart Money People, they hold an "Excellent" rating (approx. 4.6/5).

• Savers frequently praise the simple online application process and competitive rates.

• Borrowers (via brokers) value the speed of decisions and the willingness of underwriters to listen to a proposal.

How to Apply

The application process depends entirely on the product you need:

1. For Savings: You can open an account directly via the Castle Trust Bank website or app. The process is fully digital.

2. For Mortgages (Bridging & BTL): You must apply through a professional mortgage intermediary (broker).

• Because their products are complex, they rely on brokers to package the application correctly.

• Your broker will submit your case via their "PULSE" portal, which allows for fast tracking of the application status.

Get started here to begin a free, no-obligation chat with a mortgage broker who specialises in Castle Trust Bank’s product range, can compare their products against the market for you and offer independent advice on which option to choose.