Make complex wealth understandable, decision by decision
An UHNW enquiry may involve several companies, investment portfolios, trusts, jurisdictions and advisers. Start with a concise map of beneficial ownership, available cash, income, liabilities and the UK property. Then separate the mortgage decision from investment, legal and tax advice. If a private-bank proposal requires assets to be transferred, compare custody or management costs, restrictions and the consequences of moving those assets later.
Build your borrowing brief
- Ownership chart identifying individuals, companies and any relevant trustees
- Assets and liabilities by owner, jurisdiction, currency and liquidity
- Income and distributions that can actually support the mortgage
- Deposit and repayment sources, adviser responsibilities and decision timetable
A short outline is enough for the first conversation. Detailed financial records can follow through an agreed secure route.
A question worth resolving early
Does a private bank always require investments to be moved?
Requirements vary by institution and proposal. Some arrangements may involve assets under management or additional security; others may not. Any requirement, associated fees and ongoing obligations should be explained before comparing it with another mortgage route.
Link to this answerJack reviews the borrowing objective and evidence, identifies the routes worth testing and explains the relevant costs and conditions. Your accountant, solicitor or investment adviser addresses their own specialist questions. A lender decision follows its assessment; an introductory conversation is not an offer.
See the detailed illustrative scenarios →Further reading: MoneyHelper: repayment and interest-only explained · Coutts: an example of private-bank mortgage assessment.
Criteria context checked 23 September 2026: Published lender criteria, including director income and interest-only repayment plans. This is an example of one lender’s policy, not a market-wide rule. Current criteria are confirmed for the proposed application.
Bring the balance sheet and the borrowing purpose together
A large asset base does not automatically establish mortgage affordability or lender acceptance. We distinguish liquid assets from illiquid holdings, personal income from company resources, and existing secured commitments from the proposed borrowing. Where an appropriate specialist or private-bank route needs consideration, the scope and any introduction are discussed openly. Your legal and tax advisers should review ownership and cross-border implications before a structure is chosen.
A large loan or a more individual property?
Wealth, the amount borrowed and the property itself are separate parts of the assessment. The £1m+ mortgage page explains the borrowing brief, with dedicated sections for large homes and estates and complex property types. If the transaction includes a separate plot or building project, also explore land and development finance.
How I approach the case
We begin with what you want to achieve, your timescale and any part of the case that needs explaining. I review the evidence and suitable lender routes, then explain the available options and their costs. A recommendation follows the individual assessment; an initial conversation does not commit you to an application.
Where legal, tax or other specialist advice is needed, we identify it early so the finance fits the wider transaction. Tell me about any change in employment, borrowing, deposit or property details before proceeding.
What to prepare
- Purpose, amount and repayment approach
- Personal and company ownership structure
- Evidence of income, assets and existing liabilities
- Nationality, residence and income currencies
- Legal and tax adviser involvement
You do not need every document before saying hello. Start with a short outline; detailed or sensitive records should follow through an agreed secure route.
No private-bank mandate, lending facility, asset threshold or approval is promised. Interest-only borrowing needs an accepted repayment strategy, and assets used as security can be at risk. Regulated investment, tax and legal advice are outside this mortgage service.
Your questions, answered
Can substantial assets help when regular income is modest?
They can be relevant to understanding the overall financial position, but wealth does not automatically demonstrate how mortgage payments will be met. We separate recurring income, liquid assets, company interests and funds that are restricted or difficult to realise. Any proposed lending route must be supported by the lender’s actual requirements.
Link to this answerCan my existing advisers be involved?
With your authority, we can coordinate with your accountant, solicitor or other appointed advisers to understand ownership, income and the transaction. You keep control over what is shared. Mortgage advice does not replace their legal, tax or investment advice.
Link to this answerDo I have to move investments to obtain a mortgage?
Do not assume that this will be necessary, or that moving assets will secure lending. If a proposed arrangement involves additional assets or a wider banking relationship, the requirements, costs and risks need to be understood alongside the mortgage. Any investment decision belongs with the appropriate qualified adviser.
Link to this answerLarger loans & individual properties£1m+ borrowing, substantial homes & landOpen the group to explore the loan, property and project pages relevant to your plans.9 routes +
- £1m+ mortgagesLarger purchases, refinancing and the evidence behind the borrowing.↗
- Large homes & country estatesSubstantial houses, outbuildings, annexes and the wider estate.↗
- Complex property typesAcreage, annexes, outbuildings, mixed use, unusual construction and multiple titles.↗
- Land, acreage & sitesSeparate land purchases, planning, access and the proposed exit.↗
- Mixed-use propertyA property combining residential, business or rental uses.↗
- Development financeLand acquisition, construction, funding stages and project exit.↗
- High-net-worth mortgagesIncome, assets, liabilities and available liquidity.↗
- Large interest-only mortgagesAffordability, term and a specific repayment strategy for a larger facility.↗
- International HNW mortgagesResidence, currencies, company interests, assets and a UK-property objective.↗
Further reading: MoneyHelper: mortgages and homebuying. Content updated 23 September 2026. General information; availability depends on the individual case.