Shawbrook Bank is a UK specialist bank authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA since 2011. It completed an IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2025, with a loan book of over £15.8 billion.
Its bridging finance arm offers regulated and unregulated products exclusively through the broker channel via the MyShawbrook Bridging portal.
The defining product is residential refurbishment bridging at up to 85% LTV, the highest published ceiling in the specialist bridging market.
Shawbrook funds up to 75% of the day-one property value alongside 100% of your refurbishment costs, subject to a total facility of 85% of the gross development value.
No exit fees. AVM available on standard residential cases to 75% LTV. Bridge-to-let internal switch with a 1% arrangement fee discount.
Shawbrook Bridging Finance at a Glance
Our Verdict
Shawbrook is the right lender when the refurbishment LTV ceiling is what makes or breaks your deal. At 85% LTV on residential refurbishment, with 100% of works costs drawn on day one, Shawbrook funds a larger proportion of your total project costs than any other mainstream specialist bank.
The real difference is the 85% refurb ceiling. No other mainstream bank publishes it.
For standard investment bridges at up to 75% LTV with a clean profile, the rate position is less compelling. Precise Mortgages starts at 0.57%/month; United Trust Bank starts at 0.57% at below 50% LTV.
The catch is the 0.79% rate. That’s 38% higher than Precise on the same loan.
Regulated bridging is a genuine strength. Shawbrook is one of the few specialist lenders to offer regulated products for owner-occupied residential purchases and chain breaks, backed by full FCA and PRA authorisation.
Best For
If you need the highest LTV for refurbishment, 85%, with 100% of your works costs funded on day one, Shawbrook is the right call.
Also right for you if you need regulated bridging for a home purchase or chain break from a fully authorised bank, or if you plan a bridge-to-let exit using Shawbrook’s own term products.
Not Ideal For
If you need the lowest possible rate for a standard investment bridge, Precise (from 0.57%) is considerably cheaper.
If you have severe adverse credit and need published acceptance thresholds, Shawbrook’s case-by-case approach gives you less certainty than Together or MT Finance. Loans below £50,000 are not eligible.
Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rate (standard, over £150k) | From 0.79%/month |
| Rate (loans to £150k) | From 0.94%/month |
| Maximum LTV (standard residential) | 75% |
| Maximum LTV (residential refurb) | 85% (includes 100% of works costs) |
| Maximum LTV (semi-commercial) | 75% |
| Maximum LTV (commercial) | 70% |
| Minimum loan | £50,000 |
| Maximum loan | £25,000,000 (£2.5m+ via Structured Real Estate team) |
| Maximum term | 24 months (no minimum term) |
| Arrangement fee | 2% (1.95% on some regulated products) |
| Loyalty discount | 0.25% reduction for existing customers |
| Exit fee | None on unregulated products |
| Bridge-to-let switch | 1% arrangement fee discount on internal switch |
| AVM | To 75% LTV on standard residential (excluding auction) |
| Regulated bridging | Yes (FCA regulated) |
| Distribution | Broker-only via MyShawbrook Bridging portal |
| AIP turnaround | Instant via portal |
| Formal offer (AVM cases) | Within 24 hours |
| Trustpilot | 4.5/5 (20,500+ reviews, May 2026) |
What Is Shawbrook Bridging Finance?
How Shawbrook Bridging Loans Work
Shawbrook bridging loans are short-term secured loans against UK residential and commercial property. Your loan is drawn down quickly and repaid at the planned exit event, typically a property sale, refinance onto a term mortgage, or completion of a development.
Terms run up to 24 months with no minimum term.
Shawbrook lends across the full range of property types: standard residential investment, residential refurbishment, semi-commercial, and commercial.
The refurbishment product releases 75% of the day-one purchase price alongside 100% of the refurbishment budget from day one, subject to the total facility remaining within 85% of the GDV.
The bridge-to-let switch is an operationally streamlined internal refinance from the Shawbrook bridging product to a Shawbrook buy-to-let term mortgage at exit. The 1% arrangement fee discount makes this exit route cheaper than refinancing to a separate lender.
Regulated vs Unregulated Bridging
Shawbrook offers both regulated and unregulated bridging. The regulating factor is whether you or a close family member will live in the security property as your main or only home.
Regulated bridging applies where you or a close family member intend to live in the security property as your main or only residence.
These loans fall under FCA mortgage regulations, giving you access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and FSCS protections. Shawbrook’s regulated bridging is used for residential property purchases, chain breaks, and owner-occupied refurbishments.
Unregulated bridging covers investment, commercial, and development transactions. These loans fall outside FCA consumer protection rules because they are used for business purposes. Most Shawbrook bridging volume, and the refurbishment product, is unregulated.
Main Loan Options
Shawbrook offers four core bridging products:
| Product | Purpose | Max LTV | Min loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard residential bridging | Purchase or refinance of residential investment property | 75% | £50,000 |
| Residential refurbishment | Purchase plus 100% of refurb costs; up to 85% of GDV | 85% GDV | £50,000 |
| Semi-commercial and commercial | Mixed-use or commercial property purchase and refinance | 75% / 70% | £50,000 |
| Development exit | Refinance development finance on completed or near-complete units | 75% LTGDV | £1,000,000 |
Shawbrook Bridging Loan Rates and Costs
Monthly Rates and Total Cost of Borrowing
Shawbrook publishes tiered rates based on loan size and LTV. The headline rate of 0.79%/month applies to standard residential loans over £150,000 at up to 75% LTV. Loans at or below £150,000 attract a starting rate of 0.94%/month.
No exit fees on unregulated products. That saves you on a delayed exit.
The AVM means no surveyor cost on eligible cases.
Worked example for a standard investment bridge:
| Scenario | Loan | Rate | Term | Interest | Arrangement (2%) | Exit fee | Total repayable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment purchase, 70% LTV | £500,000 | 0.79%/month | 12 months | £47,400 | £10,000 | £0 | £557,400 |
| Same loan, Precise Mortgages | £500,000 | 0.57%/month | 12 months | £34,200 | £10,000 | £0 | £544,200 |
On a standard £500,000 12-month bridge, Shawbrook costs £13,200 more in interest than Precise Mortgages. That gap illustrates why Shawbrook is most competitive when the 85% refurb LTV is the deciding factor, not when rate alone drives the choice.
Legal costs and valuation fees are additional. On AVM-eligible cases (standard residential to 75% LTV), Shawbrook’s AVM eliminates the physical valuation cost. For cases requiring a physical RICS survey, budget £2,000–£5,000 depending on loan size.
Rolled-Up vs Serviced Interest
Shawbrook offers both interest structures depending on the product and borrower preference.
Retained interest is deducted from your loan advance at drawdown, the full estimated interest is reserved from the loan upfront.
No monthly payments are required during the term. This is Shawbrook’s standard structure for refurbishment bridging, where your monthly cash flow is typically committed to the works programme.
Serviced interest (monthly payments) may be available on selected products, reducing the total amount outstanding at exit because interest does not compound. Confirm which structure applies to your specific product at DIP stage with your broker.
Fees and Charges
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arrangement fee | 2% of gross loan (1.95% on some regulated products) | Standard across all products |
| Loyalty discount | 0.25% reduction | For existing Shawbrook customers |
| Bridge-to-let switch discount | 1% off arrangement fee | On internal switch to Shawbrook term mortgage at exit |
| Exit fee | None | No early repayment charges on unregulated products |
| AVM (automated valuation) | Included | Available on standard residential to 75% LTV; not applicable for auction purchases |
| Legal costs | Borrower pays both sides | Shawbrook and borrower legal fees |
| Physical RICS valuation | Borrower pays | Required above 75% LTV or where AVM is not eligible |
What Affects Your Rate
Shawbrook’s rate is driven by loan size and LTV band rather than individual deal risk pricing. The main factors are: loan amount (over or below £150,000), LTV band, property type, and whether the loan is regulated or unregulated.
Existing customers receive a 0.25% arrangement fee reduction. The refurbishment product carries a rate surcharge at 75–85% LTV compared to the standard residential product, the extra LTV headroom has a cost.
Because Shawbrook uses published rate tiers rather than bespoke manual pricing, the rate you see in the broker portal is a reliable indicator of your actual cost before any loyalty adjustment.
Shawbrook Bridging Loan Eligibility
Who Can Apply
Shawbrook accepts a broad range of borrower structures:
| Borrower type | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private individuals (UK nationals) | Yes | Regulated and unregulated |
| Limited companies (Ltd Co) | Yes | Standard structure |
| Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) | Yes | |
| Special purpose vehicles (SPVs) | Yes | Common for BTL investors |
| Public limited companies (PLCs) | Yes | |
| Trusts | Yes | |
| SIPPs | Yes | Self-invested personal pensions |
| Offshore entities | Yes | Minimum loan £750,000 for offshore |
| Expats | Yes |
There is no minimum personal income requirement. No early repayment charges on unregulated products.
Property Types, LTV and Adverse Credit
Shawbrook covers England, Wales, and Scotland. Acceptable property types and their LTV limits:
| Property type | Max LTV |
|---|---|
| Standard residential (investment) | 75% |
| Residential refurbishment | 85% GDV (75% day-one + 100% refurb costs) |
| Semi-commercial | 75% |
| Commercial | 70% |
| Development exit | 75% LTGDV |
Adverse credit: Shawbrook considers minor adverse credit on a case-by-case basis, with no published thresholds for CCJs, defaults, or missed payments. Without those thresholds, you cannot confirm eligibility upfront, a broker DIP conversation is the only route to a decision.
Shawbrook requires no recent mortgage arrears. If your credit history includes IVAs, bankruptcy, or recent secured arrears, you are unlikely to be accommodated, consider MT Finance or Together instead, which have published or non-status criteria.
Security Requirements
Shawbrook takes a first legal charge over the security property. AVM (automated valuation) is available on standard residential cases to 75% LTV, excluding auction purchases.
Cases above 75% LTV, refurbishment products, and commercial properties require a physical RICS valuation at your cost.
For offshore entities and foreign nationals, Shawbrook requires additional AML and KYC documentation. The minimum loan for offshore entities is £750,000.
Shawbrook Bridging Loan Application Process
How to Apply for a Shawbrook Bridging Loan
Shawbrook is broker-only. Borrowers cannot apply directly. You will need a specialist bridging or commercial finance broker with access to the MyShawbrook Bridging portal.
The broker submits an enquiry through the MyShawbrook Bridging portal or via Shawbrook’s Broker Hub. The portal provides an instant Agreement in Principle on eligible cases. Brokers have direct access to the Shawbrook underwriting and structuring team for complex or larger transactions.
When you apply via the broker portal, your AIP is instant on eligible cases. Your application routes directly to the Shawbrook underwriting team, not a third-party packager.
Valuation, Legal Work and Documents Needed
For AVM-eligible cases, standard residential to 75% LTV, no physical valuation is required and a formal offer can typically be issued within 24 hours. For cases requiring a physical valuation, instruct a RICS surveyor promptly after AIP.
Documents typically required: proof of identity for all borrowers and directors, title documents for the security property, evidence of exit strategy (sale agreement, mortgage in principle, development schedule), and company documents for corporate borrowers.
Refurbishment cases require a schedule of works and, for larger projects, contractor costings.
Legal work runs in parallel. Both Shawbrook’s solicitors and the borrower’s solicitors must be engaged promptly after offer. The borrower pays both sets of legal costs. Instruct your solicitor immediately on receiving the formal offer, legal is typically the longest lead time.
Decision and Completion Times
AIP is instant via the MyShawbrook Bridging portal on eligible cases. Formal offer is typically issued within 24 hours on AVM cases. Cases requiring physical valuation take longer, typically 5–10 working days after AIP.
Broker-only, you cannot apply directly.
If your auction purchase completes on a Wednesday and you need funds by the following Wednesday, your broker submits through the MyShawbrook portal on Monday morning.
AIP is instant on eligible cases; formal offer within 24 hours on AVM cases. That window is the real cost of going above 75% LTV. Instruct your solicitor before the AIP lands.
Completion in as few as 4 working days has been achieved on straightforward AVM cases where legal work is already progressing. For auction purchases and time-sensitive deals, confirm your required timeline with your broker at the outset, physical valuation timelines can compress the window.
Exit Strategy and Risk
Acceptable Exit Routes
| Exit route | Notes |
|---|---|
| Open market sale | Standard exit; evidence of marketing required at any renewal stage |
| Refinance onto buy-to-let mortgage | Shawbrook offers internal bridge-to-let switch with 1% arrangement fee discount |
| Refinance onto commercial mortgage | Accepted with a mortgage in principle from receiving lender |
| Development exit | Shawbrook development exit product from £1m to £30m at up to 75% LTGDV |
| Regulated remortgage | For regulated bridging on owner-occupied property |
Open vs Closed Bridge
A closed bridge has a confirmed exit in place at drawdown, contracts exchanged on a sale, or a mortgage offer issued by the receiving lender. Shawbrook prices these as lower risk.
An open bridge has a credible but unconfirmed exit, for example, a property on the market but not yet under offer. Shawbrook accommodates open bridges up to 24 months. The stronger and more evidenced the exit plan, the more favourably the underwriter will view the case.
What Happens If the Exit Is Delayed
If your exit takes longer than planned, contact your broker and Shawbrook early, ideally before the loan term expires. Extensions are assessed on the current loan position, your updated exit strategy, and market conditions. Do not wait until the last month to raise the issue.
When your refurbishment runs 6 weeks over schedule and your bridge is 4 months from expiry, contact your broker immediately.
Shawbrook will assess an extension, but your retained interest is only reserved to the original term end. Any extension triggers additional cost.
Retained interest is deducted upfront for an estimated term. If the bridge runs shorter than expected, you receive a rebate of the unused retained interest. If it runs longer, additional interest is charged.
The bridge-to-let switch saves you the cost of a full refinance process.
If exit cannot be achieved, Shawbrook can appoint a receiver or pursue possession proceedings. At the published LTV limits, meaningful equity exists in most scenarios, but enforcement costs and market movements can reduce this buffer.
Always plan with a primary exit and a credible fallback before you draw down.
Shawbrook Bridging Loan Customer Reviews
What Customers Like
We checked Shawbrook’s Trustpilot profile as at May 2026: 4.5/5 from over 20,500 reviews. We note that the large review volume reflects Shawbrook’s full banking range, savings, mortgages, and personal loans as well as bridging, so bridging-specific reviews are a smaller proportion.
Recurring positive themes: professional broker-facing teams, fast formal offers on AVM-eligible cases, and a clear process on complex refurbishment transactions.
Common Complaints
Physical valuation timelines on cases above 75% LTV are the most common source of friction, this is outside Shawbrook’s direct control and reflects surveyor availability rather than lender process.
Broker-only distribution means borrowers who prefer direct lender access cannot engage Shawbrook without using an intermediary. Some borrowers find this an unnecessary step; brokers with portal access report that the MyShawbrook system reduces friction considerably.
Shawbrook Support and Regulation
Customer Support
Because Shawbrook is broker-only, your main contact during the application is your broker, not Shawbrook directly. Brokers access the MyShawbrook Bridging portal for AIP and case tracking, and have direct contact with Shawbrook’s underwriting team for complex or higher-value transactions.
You will not deal with Shawbrook directly during the application; the broker is your point of contact at every stage.
For post-completion queries on regulated loans, Shawbrook provides direct borrower contact via its main lines. Registered address: Shawbrook Bank, Lutea House, Warley Hill Business Park, The Drive, Great Warley, Brentwood CM13 3BE.
Regulatory Status and Complaints
Shawbrook Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and PRA (Financial Services Register number: 204574).
Regulated bridging loans are covered by FCA consumer mortgage regulations. Borrowers have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for unresolved complaints and FSCS protection up to £120,000 for eligible deposits.
Unregulated bridging loans fall outside the FCA consumer protection framework because they are advanced for investment and commercial purposes. FOS and FSCS do not apply to disputes about these products.
Clone firm warning: The FCA has issued warnings about “Shawbrook Loans UK”, a clone firm impersonating Shawbrook Bank.
Always verify you are dealing with the genuine Shawbrook Bank through the FCA Financial Services Register (FRN 204574) or the official website shawbrook.co.uk. Never send money or personal details to an unverified contact claiming to be Shawbrook.
Shawbrook vs Alternatives
Shawbrook vs Precise Mortgages
Precise Mortgages offers the lowest starting rate in the market at 0.57%/month, materially cheaper than Shawbrook’s 0.79%/month for standard residential bridging. For a £500,000 12-month bridge, the interest difference is £13,200.
Precise also offers a fee-free AVM on standard residential to 75% LTV, matching Shawbrook’s AVM facility. Both lenders offer regulated and unregulated bridging.
Shawbrook’s decisive advantage is the 85% LTV ceiling for residential refurbishment. Precise’s maximum LTV is 75% across all products.
If your project costs £375k against a £300k purchase price, Precise’s 75% LTV cap means you can borrow £225k, leaving £150k of your costs unfunded. Shawbrook’s 85% GDV structure can fund significantly more of your total project cost.
If you are not refurbishing and your LTV is at or below 75%, Precise wins on rate. Check Precise first.
The reality is: the gap is worth paying only for the 85% LTV headroom.
Shawbrook vs Together
Together offers regulated and unregulated bridging from £26,000, a lower entry point than Shawbrook’s £50,000. Starting rate is 0.83%/month, higher than Shawbrook’s 0.79%. Both offer 75% maximum standard LTV.
Together publishes explicit adverse credit thresholds: CCJs under £3,000 if satisfied, defaults under £300. We found that Shawbrook’s case-by-case approach gives borrowers with documented minor adverse credit less certainty about eligibility before broker DIP.
For clean-credit borrowers at 75% LTV or below, Shawbrook is cheaper. For borrowers with documented adverse credit who need upfront eligibility certainty, Together is the better starting point.
Shawbrook vs United Trust Bank
United Trust Bank uses tiered pricing: 0.57%/month below 50% LTV, rising to 0.65%/month at up to 75% LTV. At low LTV, UTB is significantly cheaper than Shawbrook’s 0.79%. Both are PRA-authorised specialist banks with similar institutional credibility.
United Trust does not offer the residential refurbishment product at 85% LTV. Its maximum LTV is 75% across residential products, matching Shawbrook’s standard ceiling. For borrowers not needing the refurb headroom, UTB is cheaper at every LTV point up to 75%.
Shawbrook wins on the 85% refurb LTV, the bridge-to-let internal switch, and the AVM speed advantage on eligible cases. UTB wins on rate for standard investment bridges, particularly at below 50% LTV.
Final Verdict: Is Shawbrook Bridging Finance Worth It?
We rate Shawbrook as the strongest choice for one specific scenario: you are buying a residential property to refurbish and need more than 75% LTV against the total project cost. No mainstream specialist bank publishes an 85% LTV refurbishment product with 100% of your works costs drawn on day one.
Outside that scenario, the rate arithmetic does not favour Shawbrook. If your deal is a standard investment bridge, Precise Mortgages (0.57%) and United Trust (0.57% at below 50% LTV) are materially cheaper. On a £500,000 12-month bridge, Shawbrook costs £13,200 more in interest than Precise.
For regulated bridging, we found Shawbrook to be a credible option, fully authorised by the PRA, with a clean track record and fast AVM-based processing. We rate Precise as cheaper, but the gap narrows for regulated residential cases where LTV is already constrained.
The bridge-to-let switch is a genuine advantage for you if your exit is a Shawbrook buy-to-let term product. The 1% arrangement fee reduction and same-lender continuity reduce your transaction costs.
The diagnostic question: do you need above 75% LTV on a refurbishment, or a regulated bridge with bank-grade backing? If yes to either, Shawbrook. If not, check Precise and United Trust on rate first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum loan for Shawbrook bridging?
The minimum bridging loan from Shawbrook Bank is £50,000 for standard residential, refurbishment, and commercial products. The development exit product has a higher minimum of £1,000,000. For offshore entities and foreign nationals, a minimum loan of £750,000 applies.
Does Shawbrook offer regulated bridging loans?
Yes. Shawbrook offers regulated bridging for borrowers or close family members who intend to live in the security property. Regulated bridging carries FCA consumer protections including access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Shawbrook also offers unregulated bridging for investment and commercial transactions.
What is the maximum LTV for Shawbrook bridging?
For standard residential investment bridging, the maximum LTV is 75%. For residential refurbishment bridging, Shawbrook lends up to 85% of the gross development value (GDV), funding 75% of the day-one purchase price alongside 100% of the refurbishment costs. Semi-commercial properties attract a maximum of 75% LTV; commercial properties attract 70% LTV.
Can you apply directly to Shawbrook for a bridging loan?
No. Shawbrook bridging loans are available exclusively through the broker channel via the MyShawbrook Bridging portal and Broker Hub. Borrowers cannot apply directly. You will need a specialist commercial finance or bridging broker to submit an enquiry and receive an AIP.
Does Shawbrook offer a free valuation (AVM)?
Yes, for eligible cases. Shawbrook’s automated valuation model (AVM) is available on standard residential bridging cases up to 75% LTV, excluding auction purchases. This eliminates the cost of a physical RICS valuation and enables formal offers within 24 hours. Cases above 75% LTV, refurbishment products, and commercial properties require a physical valuation at the borrower’s cost.
How does Shawbrook’s bridge-to-let switch work?
At exit, borrowers can refinance from a Shawbrook bridging loan onto a Shawbrook buy-to-let term mortgage without changing lender. The internal switch attracts a 1% reduction in the arrangement fee compared to the standard bridging arrangement fee. This streamlines the exit and reduces transaction costs compared to refinancing to a new lender. Eligibility for the switch is subject to Shawbrook’s buy-to-let criteria at the time of the switch.
Methodology and Disclosure
How we reviewed Shawbrook Bridging Loans
What we assessed. We evaluated Shawbrook bridging loans on rates, LTV limits, fees, eligibility criteria, entity types, application speed, AVM facility, regulated vs unregulated products, bridge-to-let switch, and customer reviews.
We focused particularly on the 85% LTV refurbishment product, the AVM-enabled 24-hour offer process, the bridge-to-let internal switch, and how Shawbrook compares to Precise Mortgages, Together, and United Trust Bank for typical investor use cases.
Data sources. We verified rates and product terms from Shawbrook’s intermediary website, Broker Hub publications, and Financial Reporter coverage of product launches.
We confirmed the FCA register for Shawbrook Bank (FRN 204574). We verified the IPO on the London Stock Exchange and the loan book figure of over £15.8 billion from Shawbrook’s published financial communications.
We checked Trustpilot (4.5/5 from 20,500+ reviews) as at May 2026. We reviewed FCA ScamSmart warnings for the “Shawbrook Loans UK” clone firm. We verified the semi-commercial expansion to first-time landlords and the development exit product parameters.
Update cadence. We re-verify rates and eligibility on this page at least quarterly. We have no affiliate relationship with Shawbrook Bank that affects our editorial assessment. See our editorial policy.