The West Bromwich Building Society, commonly known as The West Brom, is the UK's eighth-largest building society. Founded in 1849, it has a long history as an independent, mutual institution, meaning it is owned by and run for the benefit of its members.
While it has a strong physical presence with 35 branches, primarily in the Midlands, it offers mortgages across England and Wales. The society provides mortgages both directly to the public and through The West Brom for Intermediaries. To compare their range with other lenders across the entire market, simply use our free mortgage comparison tool below:
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About The West Brom
The West Brom offers a core range of residential mortgage products directly, with more niche lending through its intermediary-facing business:
Mortgage Products
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First-Time Buyer Mortgages: The society actively supports new buyers, offering mortgages with as little as a 5% deposit (95% LTV)
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Home Mover Mortgages: A range of fixed and variable-rate products for those moving to a new home
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Remortgaging: Products for homeowners looking to switch their existing mortgage to The West Brom, often with incentives like free valuations or cashback
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New Build Mortgages: A specialist area for the society. They offer products up to 95% LTV on new-build houses and have a 9-month offer validity period, which is longer than many lenders, to accommodate potential construction delays
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Shared Ownership: The West Brom supports the Help to Buy: Shared Ownership scheme, offering mortgages up to 95% LTV on the borrower's share
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Interest-Only Mortgages: These are available on a more restrictive basis, typically requiring a larger deposit (e.g., up to 60% LTV) and a clear repayment strategy
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Pros and Cons of a West Brom Mortgage
Here is a balanced overview of the advantages and disadvantages of choosing The West Brom.
Pros:
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Strong First-Time Buyer Support: With 95% LTV products, they are an accessible option for those with smaller deposits
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New Build & Shared Ownership Specialist: Their flexible criteria for new builds (longer offer period, 95% LTV) and support for Shared Ownership make them a strong contender in these specific markets
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Mutual Status: As a member-owned society, their focus is on providing long-term value and stable products rather than maximising profit for shareholders
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Direct or Broker Access: You have the choice to either apply directly with the society or use a mortgage broker, depending on your needs and circumstances
Cons:
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Limited Specialist Lending: Unlike some other building societies, The West Brom is not known for complex "manual underwriting." They do not typically cater to those with significant adverse credit or highly unusual income streams
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Geographic Limitations: They only lend on properties in England and Wales, so they are not an option for buyers in Scotland or Northern Ireland
Customer Service and Reviews
Customer feedback for The West Brom is mixed. Independent reviews on Smart Money People show a wide range of experiences. Some customers, particularly those who deal with staff in-branch or over the phone, praise the "excellent," "friendly," and "helpful" service, likening it to traditional banking. Conversely, other reviews frequently describe the mortgage application process as "slow" and "archaic," with a notable criticism being the limited online functionality for managing a mortgage compared to more modern lenders.
How to Apply for a Mortgage with The West Brom
You have two main ways to apply for a mortgage with The West Brom:
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Directly: You can apply directly with the society. The process starts with using their online calculator to see how much you could borrow and checking your mortgage eligibility. You can then book a telephone appointment with one of their mortgage advisers or make an appointment at a local branch
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Through a Mortgage Broker: The West Brom has a strong relationship with intermediaries and this route often provides the best outcome. A mortgage broker can advise you on The West Brom's entire product range (including any intermediary-only deals) and compare them to the rest of the market whereas going directly won’t give you these options. To speak to one of our expert mortgage advisers about the suitability of West Brom’s product range for your needs click to get started.