Mercantile Trust is a specialist lender offering a range of banking products and services to SMEs, property professionals and consumers, including mortgages and bridging loans. They are part of the Norfolk Capital Group of Companies.
With over 25 years of experience, the lender offers competitive rates and is particularly targeted towards small borrowers and complex credit profiles.
In this review, I will take a closer look at Mercantile Trust, detailing their products’ key features, eligibility criteria, application process, rates and reviews to help you decide whether they are the right choice for your needs.
Mercantile Trust Bridging
Mercantile offers a range of bridging loans from £25,000 to 500,000 for both residential and commercial needs.
These short-term financing options can be used to quickly secure property purchases, fund refurbishments, raise capital, or refinance existing loans.
Key features include
- Bridging loans from £25,000 up to £500,000, with up to 75% LTV available
- Rates start from 0.95% per month for terms from 3 to 18 months
- Express enquiry process
- 1st and 2nd charge available
- No minimum personal income is needed
- Adverse credit considered
- First-time lenders and buyers accepted
- Most property constructions accepted
- Interests can be rolled-up or serviced
- No exit fee
- No early repayment fee
Overall, Mercantile Trust has an excellent reputation. There’s a fast, easy, and straightforward loan application process, competitive rates, and full transparency about criteria and costs.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for a Mercantile Trust Bridging Loan?
Applicant Criteria
| Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| Accepted Applicants | Individuals, SPV and Limited Companies |
| Min. Age | 18 |
| Max. Age | 85 |
| Max. Number of Applicants | 2 |
| Max. Loans per Applicants | 5 |
| Residency History | 3 |
| Mortgage / Rental History | 12 Months |
Loan Details
| Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland |
| Loan Term | 3 – 18 Months |
| Loan Amount | £25,000 – £500,000 |
| Interest Repayment Method | Rolled-up / Serviced |
| Interest Calculation | Daily |
| Lender Fee | 2% |
| Minimum Property Value | £75,000 |
| Confirmation of Exit | Required |
Application Process for Mercantile Trust Bridging
Mercantile Trust provides a standard but quick and easy application process for their bridging loans.
It all starts with filling out a 30-second enquiry form directly on their website.
After the enquiry is received, Mercantile Trust’s team will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps.
The front-end process is straightforward, with minimal documents and information needed upfront. More due diligence will come before the loan’s formal approval. The lending decision can take as little as one call if you have a standard borrower profile and a clean credit history.
Mercantile Trust Rates
Here are the Mercantile Trust bridging loan rates for 2023.
| Loan Type | Rates From | Max. LTV | Max. Borrowing | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Charge Bridging | 0.95% | 75% (65% for First-Time Buyers) | £500,000 | More Info |
| 2nd Charge Bridging | 0.99% | 75% | £150,000 | More Info |
Mercantile Trust Reviews & Ratings
As is the case with numerous bridging loan providers, Mercantile Trust gathers very few reviews online. However, the vast majority of expressed opinions are very positive.
The lender gets an “Excellent” Trust score of 4.6/5 on Trustpilot, 4.8/5 on Feefo, and 5/5 on Google Reviews, on a total of approximately 20 reviews.
Mercantile Trust’s customers praise the lender’s speed and quality of service, which allowed them to get funding on very short notice and resolve most issues they encountered.
The scarce negative reviews I read related to Mercantile’s ID process, for which they seem to be quite strict. In my professional opinion, this is rather a good sign, even though it might feel unnecessary if you’re in need of urgent financing. However, these negative opinions are extremely marginal compared to the overwhelming positive ones.
Reviews indicate high customer satisfaction with Mercantile Trust’s lending services, owing to fast processing, advantageous terms, and fantastic customer service.
While a minority of customers have faced challenges, my overall sentiment toward Mercantile is unequivocally favourable.
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Mercantile Trust FAQs
How quickly can Mercantile Trust process a bridging loan?
Mercantile Trust has introduced a fast-track bridging loan, known as the Express Bridge product, that uses automated valuations and an in-house legal process to expedite applications, potentially turning them around in just a few days.
What are the criteria for applying for a bridging loan with Mercantile Trust?
Bridging loans from Mercantile Trust can be used for any legitimate purpose, and they offer both first and second charge bridging loans. Some of the key criteria include a maximum LTV of 75%, and the acceptance of individuals and limited companies. They also accept properties in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for bridging loans.
What types of properties are eligible for Mercantile Trust’s bridging loans?
Mercantile Trust’s bridging loans are available for most property constructions. They are suitable for both first-time landlords/buyers with no rental history (with LTV restricted to 65%) and for non-standard construction properties.
