Welcome to our latest market update
This month, we celebrate additions to our lender panel and reflect on the importance of specialist lenders.
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The market isn’t what it was a few years ago, and that’s exactly why we need to think differently about how we support every buyer who walks through your doors.
Waiting for the straightforward cases just isn’t enough anymore. The good news? Specialist lending has come a long way, and it’s giving more buyers than ever the chance to move into their new home.
At MAB, we’re here to help you make the most of that. Our advisers have access to a wide panel of specialist lenders who understand today’s buyers – people with strong affordability but non‑traditional circumstances. Whether it’s complex income, small credit blips, or unique employment set‑ups, there’s almost always a way forward.
A quick example:
Think about the self‑employed buyer who’s only been trading for under two years, someone who doesn’t fit the classic tick‑box model. In the past, that case might have been set aside as “too tricky.” But now, several of our specialist lenders actively welcome these applicants. With flexible criteria and a fresh approach to underwriting, we can often turn what looked like a lost sale into a smooth, speedy completion.
These lenders are faster, more streamlined, and far easier to work with than many people realise. In fact, some of the turnaround times now rival standard mortgage processing. That small extra step (a quick conversation with one of our advisers to explore the options) can be the difference between an enquiry that goes cold and a buyer who completes.
Our message is simple: when you broaden your lending solutions, you broaden your completions.
We’re fully committed to helping you and your buyers navigate this new landscape with confidence, care, and plenty of support at every stage.
Let’s stop leaving potential sales on the table. Together, we can make sure every buyer gets the best possible chance to call your development home.
MAB has made some changes to our lender panel. Together they give advisers even more ways to help clients with higher‑value, more complex and specialist needs.
Here’s a quick look at what’s new….
Nedbank Private Wealth comes in as the private banking arm of the wider Nedbank Group, a major financial services group with roots in Africa and offices in the UK and other international centres. They’re very much set up for clients who don’t fit a simple “salary and payslip” mould.
Their sweet spot is high‑net‑worth and internationally mobile clients – think entrepreneurs, senior professionals, expats and people with assets in more than one country. Rather than working to a rigid scorecard, they look at a client’s full picture: wealth, assets, income streams and future plans.
Nedbank brings the ability to structure larger mortgages and more bespoke lending solutions, often in multiple currencies, and to have a proper conversation about what’s possible rather than trying to make a complex case fit a standard box.
Handelsbanken are well known for their local‑relationship model, with decisions made close to the customer rather than purely by central systems.
That approach lends itself well to clients with more nuanced needs – professionals, business owners and those who value a bank that will look at their wider situation.
One useful angle for advisers is their flexibility around structures like joint‑borrower, sole‑proprietor style arrangements, where extra income can support affordability without everyone needing to be on the deeds. It’s another route to help clients who need family support or additional income streams to make the numbers work.
Market Harborough Building Society expanding into central Scotland is great news for buyers in the region who see a lot of “not quite standard” cases. They combine traditional, manual underwriting with a very hands‑on service model.
They can look at residential mortgages and regulated bridging from around £200,000 up to the multi‑million bracket, with loan‑to‑value options up to 80% and up to four applicants on a case. They’re particularly comfortable with non‑standard income, unusual or quirky properties, multi‑generational and JBSP setups, expats, borrowing into retirement and other layered scenarios that often need a bit more thought.
Taken together, these additions mean MAB advisers now have even more scope to say “yes” to clients who might have struggled on the high street – from global high‑net‑worth borrowers to relationship‑led banking clients and intricate specialist cases in Scotland and beyond. It’s all about giving you more tools to find the right fit, rather than forcing clients into a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.
We are, of course, here to support – so please let us know if you have any questions!
Below we have listed the top rates available across a range of LTVs. Please let us know if you need any additional information. NB: Danske dont lend in Scotland.
| 95% | 90% | 85% | 75% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.43% - Co-Operative BS
4.52% - Skipton BS
4.54% - West Brom BS
|
3.97% - Furness BS
3.99% - HSBC
4.00% - Halifax
|
3.73% - Halifax
3.73% - Nationwide
3.75% - Barclays
|
3.60% - Halifax
3.61% - Nationwide
3.66% - HSBC
|
3.55% - Halifax
3.55% - Santander
3.55% - Nationwide
|
| 95% | 90% | 85% | 75% | 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.56% - Leek BS
4.58% - Clydesdale
4.58% - Nationwide
|
4.07% - Barclays
4.15% - Virgin
4.15% - Natwest
|
3.97% - Virgin
3.99% - Halifax 3.99% - Santander |
3.72% - Barclays
3.82% - Virgin 3.83% - Halifax |
3.69% - Barclays
3.73% - Natwest 3.75% - Nationwide |
UK house prices bounced back in January after a surprise fall at the end of last year, and are predicted to improve during 2026, according to the Nationwide
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Their ‘My First Mortgage’, is a 98% five-year fixed rate product, with a rate of 5.19%, no product fee and £250 cashback. NB: Not available on new build homes
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Alyson, David and Rob are all very professional.
They work hard to provide an excellent service whether for a remortgage or insurance for your home.
Their communication with me has been excellent, keeping me fully updated throughout.
I would recommend them fully.
We’re thrilled to welcome two fantastic new team members to the team!
Sean joins our Account Manager team, bringing with him seven years of experience in the mortgage industry. Morgan joins our Mortgage Case Manager team.
Both Sean and Morgan have already hit the ground running and fit in brilliantly with the team. We’re delighted to have them with us!
The information pertained in here is not intended for public consumption, it has been prepared for the partners and friends of Mortgage Advice Bureau. Please do not share with consumers or buyers. Thank you.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
In some instances, there may be a fee for mortgage advice. We will not charge a fee to those purchasing a new build home who contact us via the details provided. Other branches of Mortgage Advice Bureau may charge a fee. The actual amount you pay to them will depend on your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
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