Compare Mortgage Rates from Hampshire Trust Bank Against the Market

About Hampshire Trust Bank

HTB positions itself as a bank built by experts, for experts. Their core philosophy is manual underwriting. They do not use automated credit scoring ("computer says no") to make lending decisions. Instead, they employ expert teams who assess every application on its individual merit.

This makes them a "go-to" lender for complex deals that mainstream banks avoid, such as large Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), semi-commercial properties (e.g., a flat above a shop), and lending to Limited Companies.

Mortgage & Finance Products

HTB’s lending is divided into specific divisions, all focused on the specialist market in England and Wales:

• Specialist Mortgages (Buy-to-Let & Semi-Commercial):

  • Complex BTL: They specialise in lending to Limited Companies (SPVs), offshore entities, and trusts.

  • HMOs & MUFBs: They are market leaders in financing large HMOs (often with no limit on the number of bedrooms) and Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks.

  • Semi-Commercial: One of their key strengths. They lend on mixed-use properties (e.g., retail on the ground floor, residential above) where the commercial element is up to 50% of the value.

  • Expat & International: They actively lend to UK nationals living abroad and foreign nationals investing in UK property.

• Development Finance:

  • Loans (typically £1m to £20m) for property developers building residential housing schemes, student accommodation, or commercial projects.

• Bridging Finance:

  • Short-term loans for refurbishment projects (light and heavy) or to secure property purchases quickly before moving to a long-term mortgage.

• Business Finance:

  • Asset Finance: Funding for businesses to buy equipment, vehicles, or machinery.

  • Block Discounting: Wholesale funding for other smaller lenders.

• Savings:

  • Personal & Business Savings: Unlike their loans, their savings accounts (Fixed Bonds, ISAs, Notice Accounts) are available directly to the public and often feature in "best buy" tables for their competitive rates.

Pros and Cons of Hampshire Trust Bank

Here is a balanced overview of choosing HTB for your finance.

Pros:

• Manual Underwriting: Decisions are made by people who understand complex assets. If you are buying a complex block of flats or a property above a restaurant, HTB will look at the deal where a high-street computer would reject it.

• Semi-Commercial Specialists: Very few lenders handle "flats above shops" as well as HTB. They understand the valuation nuances of mixed-use buildings.

• No Limit on Portfolios: They are comfortable lending to landlords with massive property portfolios, whereas some lenders cap exposure.

• Service Speed: They have a dedicated "Specialist Mortgages" team known for turning around complex decisions quickly compared to larger commercial banks.

Cons:

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

• No Residential Mortgages: If you want to buy a house to live in, HTB cannot help you.

• Cost: As a specialist lender dealing with complex risks, their interest rates and arrangement fees are higher than "vanilla" buy-to-let lenders like The Mortgage Works.

• Minimum Loan Sizes: They typically target professional investors, so minimum loan sizes (e.g., £150k+) may apply, making them less suitable for purchasing cheap single terraced houses.

Customer Service and Reviews

Hampshire Trust Bank has a strong reputation, particularly on the savings side.

• Savings Customers: On Feefo, HTB typically holds a Platinum Trusted Service Award with a rating of around 4.6/5. Customers praise the simple online account opening process and the helpfulness of the UK-based phone team.

• Mortgage Customers (Brokers): In the mortgage industry, HTB is highly respected. They regularly win awards such as "Best Specialist Lender" for their ability to handle complex HMO and semi-commercial cases efficiently.

How to Apply

The application route depends entirely on the product:

1. For Savings: You can apply directly via the Hampshire Trust Bank website. It is a digital process open to all eligible UK residents.

2. For Mortgages (BTL / Commercial / Development): You must apply through a professional finance intermediary (broker).

• Brokers have direct access to HTB’s "PULSE" portal.

• HTB’s Business Development Managers (BDMs) work with brokers to structure the deal before it is submitted to credit.

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