For most people, mortgage lending in the UK begins and ends with high-street banks. But for high-net-worth (HNW) borrowers, those banks are often the least effective place to turn. In 2025, more wealthy buyers, entrepreneurs, and international clients are finding that their needs fall outside the rigid boxes of mainstream lenders.
That’s where specialist mortgage brokers with private bank relationships come in. Unlike traditional brokers, these advisers focus on complex cases, where lending decisions hinge not just on payslips but on assets, liquidity, and long-term wealth strategies.
In High Net Worth Mortgages in 2025: What Lenders Look for Beyond Income, we explored the changing expectations of lenders. This article builds on that by explaining why HNW borrowers need brokers with private bank expertise, how these brokers operate differently, and when to seek their help.
On the surface, it might seem easier for a wealthy individual to secure finance. After all, they have assets, income, and often long banking histories. But paradoxically, the wealthier the client, the more challenging the mortgage process can become with mainstream banks.
High-street lenders typically assess affordability using strict income multiples. A successful entrepreneur reinvesting profits back into their company may declare modest income despite significant assets. To a high-street bank, this looks like low affordability. To a private bank, it’s a perfectly acceptable profile—especially if the client holds investments, property, or liquidity elsewhere.
Other sticking points include:
This is why HNW clients often feel underserved by the traditional mortgage system, even as they represent some of the most creditworthy borrowers in the market.
Private banks operate differently. Instead of rigid affordability calculators, they consider a borrower’s total wealth picture. That might mean offering terms based on:
In practice, this allows private banks to offer higher loan-to-value ratios, more flexible repayment structures, or larger loan sizes than the high street.
For example, in How to Get a £5 Million+ Mortgage in 2025, we showed how private banks can structure bespoke loans that mainstream lenders would never consider.
Private banks don’t advertise mortgage products in the same way as high-street lenders. Rates are often bespoke, negotiated directly between broker and bank. Access is also limited—many private banks won’t entertain enquiries unless they come through a trusted intermediary.
This is where the specialist broker proves their value. The broker’s role is not only to introduce the client but also to present their profile in the best possible light. That means packaging financial information, highlighting strengths, and demonstrating the client’s long-term relationship potential for the bank.
Without a broker, HNW clients may find doors closed. With the right broker, those same banks may compete for their business.
Large Loan Sizes
Loans of £5 million and above almost always require private bank involvement. High-street lenders rarely have the appetite for such exposure.
Offshore Income or Assets
Clients earning overseas or holding wealth in offshore structures need a broker who understands cross-border finance. Our article on How to Finance UK Property with Offshore Income or Assets in 2025 explores this in detail.
Complex Structures
Trusts, SPVs, or family office arrangements can cause confusion with mainstream underwriters. Specialist brokers are fluent in these structures and know which banks are open to them.
Relationship Banking
Many HNW clients want more than a mortgage—they want a long-term relationship with a bank that can also provide investment, tax, and wealth management services. Brokers are the bridge to those opportunities.
Case Study: Entrepreneurial Wealth
One of Willow’s clients was a tech founder who had reinvested heavily in their company. On paper, their declared income was modest, and high-street lenders declined the application. Through our private bank contacts, we were able to secure a £7 million facility based on projected future earnings and liquid assets pledged as security.
This wasn’t just about access to lending; it was about matching the client’s entrepreneurial profile with a bank that understood growth-stage wealth.
Not all brokers who claim to serve HNW clients truly have private bank relationships. Some rely on limited panels or have little experience negotiating bespoke terms. Choosing the wrong broker can lead to wasted time, missed opportunities, and even reputational damage with private banks.
A true HNW broker should be able to demonstrate:
If those elements are missing, it may be a sign the broker is not the right fit.
The demand for private bank mortgages is rising in 2025 for several reasons. Wealth creation in sectors like technology, finance, and professional services continues to generate borrowers who don’t fit high-street boxes. Meanwhile, international buyers—particularly from the U.S., Middle East, and Asia—remain active in the UK property market, often targeting prime London and countryside estates.
At the same time, private banks are competing harder for these clients. Some are offering preferential rates if borrowers commit assets under management. Others are innovating with liquidity-based lending, where loan size is tied to investment portfolios.
In How Private Banks Are Underwriting Mortgages in 2025 Using Investment Portfolios & Asset-Based Lending, we explored how these structures are reshaping approvals. Brokers who understand this environment can unlock significant advantages for their clients.
At Willow Private Finance, we specialise in helping high-net-worth and international clients secure bespoke finance solutions. Our independence as a whole-of-market broker means we aren’t tied to panels. Instead, we build direct relationships with private banks and specialist lenders, giving our clients access to opportunities that many brokers simply cannot provide.
Whether you are seeking a £2 million facility for a London townhouse, a £10 million loan against a countryside estate, or a complex structure involving offshore assets, we have the expertise and network to deliver.
Book a free strategy call with one of our mortgage specialists.
We’ll help you find the smartest way forward—whatever rates do next.
About the Author – Wesley Ranger
Director & Founder, Willow Private Finance
Wesley Ranger founded Willow Private Finance in 2008 and has since grown it into a leading independent, whole-of-market brokerage. With deep expertise in complex and high-value lending, Wesley and his team specialise in helping clients secure solutions where others cannot—whether for prime London property, international buyers, or high-net-worth borrowers requiring bespoke finance.
Important Notice
The information in this article is provided for guidance only and does not constitute financial advice. Mortgage availability and criteria are subject to change. Always seek personalised advice before committing to any financial product. Willow Private Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 588422).
