Shawbrook Bank is a specialist UK savings and lending bank founded in 2011. It is not a typical high-street bank; instead, it focuses on providing finance to specific markets that are often underserved by mainstream lenders. A critical point for new customers is that Shawbrook Bank is an intermediary-only lender. This means you cannot apply for a mortgage directly with them. Their products are exclusively available through a panel of approved, independent mortgage brokers.
As an approved intermediary for Shawbrook, you can reach out to our team if you would like us to apply on your behalf. You can also use our free mortgage comparison tool below to compare any Shawbrook deals you may have seen with the rest of the market.
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Lender Details
Product Details
About Shawbrook Bank
Shawbrook's lending model is built for professional property investors and complex cases. They combine technology for speed with expert, manual underwriting. This approach means they can consider complex income structures and non-standard property types that an automated system would automatically reject.
They have won "Buy-to-Let Lender of the Year" at the NACFB Awards multiple times, reflecting their strong reputation among brokers.
Mortgage Products
Shawbrook's mortgage range is not aimed at standard residential homebuyers. Their entire focus is on the specialist and professional property market.
Their core product areas include:
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Buy-to-Let (BTL) Mortgages: This is their primary specialism. Their products are designed for professional landlords and property investors, including
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Limited Company & SPV: Mortgages for landlords operating through a limited company or Special Purpose Vehicle
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HMOs & Multi-Unit Blocks: Specialist finance for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and entire blocks of flats under one title (MUFBs)
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Complex BTL: Catering to investors with large portfolios, trusts, and expat landlords
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Commercial Mortgages: Finance for investors purchasing or refinancing commercial or semi-commercial properties (e.g. a shop with a flat above)
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Bridging Loans: Short-term finance used to buy at auction, fund refurbishments, or secure a property before long-term finance is in place
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Development Finance: Funding for property developers, from ground-up new builds to refurbishment projects
Compare today's best mortgage rates
We work with 90+ UK mortgage lenders, including Shawbrook Bank. You can use our service to compare mortgage rates from across the market to find the right deal.
Our mortgage sourcing tool is FREE and will show you the latest deals from Shawbrook Bank and others so you can make an informed decision about which to choose.
Click the button below to get started comparing the entire market for free.
Pros and Cons of a Shawbrook Bank Mortgage
Here is a balanced overview of the advantages and disadvantages of using Shawbrook for property finance.
Pros:
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Specialist Market Leader: They are experts in their field, particularly in the professional buy-to-let, HMO, and limited company space
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Flexible Underwriting: Their manual approach allows them to assess complex applications, such as those from portfolio landlords or for non-standard properties
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Fast and Efficient: They have invested heavily in technology, such as their digital conveyancing platform, to speed up the application-to-completion timeline, which is crucial for investors
Cons:
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Broker-Only Access: You cannot apply directly. This adds a necessary layer to the process which is standard for specialist finance
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Not for Residential Homebuyers: They are not an option if you are looking for a mortgage to buy your own home
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Higher Rates & Fees: As a specialist lender dealing with more complex and higher-risk cases, their interest rates and arrangement fees are typically higher than those from high-street residential lenders
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Focus on Professionals: Their criteria are geared towards experienced and professional landlords and investors, not new entrants to the market
Customer Service and Reviews
As an intermediary-only lender, most customer-facing reviews are for their savings products, which are generally positive.
In the mortgage industry, their reputation is primarily with mortgage brokers, who consistently praise them. Brokers often highlight their knowledgeable staff, their "can-do" attitude to complex cases, and their investment in technology that makes the application process smoother.
How to Apply for a Mortgage with Shawbrook
You cannot apply directly to Shawbrook Bank for a new mortgage. You must follow this process:
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Contact an Independent Mortgage Broker on Shawbrook's Panel: The broker must be registered and approved to submit business to Shawbrook
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Broker Assessment: The broker will assess your entire financial situation, investment plans, and the property details.
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Application Submission: If Shawbrook is the most suitable lender, the broker will package your case and submit it to the bank on your behalf through their dedicated online portal.
As an approved Shawbrook intermediary, at Money Helpdesk we can facilitate the above for you. Simply click here to get started with a broker who specialises in your niche today.