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Shawbrook Bank Review

Shawbrook Bank is a UK specialist bank founded in 2011 and headquartered in Brentwood, Essex. It provides property finance and business loans to SMEs, property investors, and professional landlords who need experienced, human underwriting rather than automated decisions. Shawbrook holds a full banking licence (FCA and PRA regulated) and is particularly respected for handling complex property cases — unusual structures, HMO portfolios, semi-commercial, and light development — as well as business loans for established SMEs. The bank is backed by BC Partners and takes a relationship-led approach that distinguishes it from both high street banks and fintech lenders.

Written by the Lendus editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.

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2-minute application
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FCA-regulated brokers

Amount

£50k – £25M

Rates

0.55% – 1.25%

per month (bridging); commercial mortgages from 5.5% per annum

Speed

Indicative terms within 24 hours; completion typically 2–4 weeks

Trustpilot

4.5/5

1,200 reviews

What is Shawbrook Bank?

Shawbrook Bank (Shawbrook Bank Limited) is a UK-based business finance provider founded in 2011 and headquartered in Brentwood. Shawbrook Bank is a UK specialist bank founded in 2011 and headquartered in Brentwood, Essex. It provides property finance and business loans to SMEs, property investors, and professional landlords who need experienced, human underwriting rather than automated decisions. Shawbrook holds a full banking licence (FCA and PRA regulated) and is particularly respected for handling complex property cases — unusual structures, HMO portfolios, semi-commercial, and light development — as well as business loans for established SMEs. The bank is backed by BC Partners and takes a relationship-led approach that distinguishes it from both high street banks and fintech lenders. They have lent £9 billion to date, helping 50,000+ UK businesses.

Founded 2011 Brentwood Shawbrook Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. FCA reference number 388409.

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Products offered

Bridging Loans Commercial Mortgages Business Loans

Rates and costs

Rate range
0.55% – 1.25% (per month (bridging); commercial mortgages from 5.5% per annum)
Representative APR
10.8% APR representative (bridging)
Amount range
£50,000 – £25,000,000
Approval speed
Indicative terms within 24 hours; completion typically 2–4 weeks

Representative example

Borrow £500,000 over 12 months. Total repayable: £566,000. Cost of credit: £66,000. Your rate depends on your circumstances.

Eligibility requirements

Minimum trading history
12+ months preferred; none required for property-backed bridging
Minimum turnover
None for property finance; £200,000+ for unsecured business loans
Credit requirements
Moderate adverse credit considered on property-backed products. Business loans require good credit history and filed accounts. Experienced underwriters assess each case on its individual merits.

How to apply

1

Check eligibility through Lendus — answer a few questions about your business and funding needs (2 minutes)

2

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3

Review your matched options — see rates, terms, and eligibility from multiple providers including Shawbrook Bank

4

Choose the best offer and complete the application with your matched lender directly

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Pros and cons

Pros

  • Full banking licence — FCA and PRA regulated for maximum financial security
  • Specialist underwriters who understand complex property and SME cases
  • Strong track record in HMO, portfolio landlord, and semi-commercial property finance
  • Relationship-led approach — real people review every application
  • Competitive bridging rates from 0.55% per month for strong cases

Cons

  • Not a mainstream lender — limited branch or telephone banking presence
  • Slower than pure fintech bridging lenders for straightforward deals
  • Minimum deal sizes may exclude very small property transactions
  • Business loans require solid trading history and financials

Is Shawbrook Bank right for you?

Best for

Property investors and landlords with complex portfolios, HMO or semi-commercial assets, or cases that mainstream lenders decline — and established SMEs needing business finance from a regulated specialist bank

Not ideal for

Startups without property security, businesses needing same-day unsecured funding, or borrowers with severe adverse credit across all products

Shawbrook Bank alternatives

If Shawbrook Bank isn't the right fit, consider these alternatives:

Together West One Loans LendInvest Close Brothers

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Frequently asked questions about Shawbrook Bank

Is Shawbrook Bank legit?
Yes, Shawbrook Bank is a legitimate UK specialist bank holding a full banking licence. It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority and the PRA (FCA reference 388409), placing it under the most rigorous tier of UK financial regulation. Founded in 2011, the bank has lent over £9 billion to UK businesses and property investors and holds an Excellent Trustpilot rating. You can verify its status at register.fca.org.uk.
What are Shawbrook Bank interest rates?
Shawbrook bridging loan rates start from around 0.55% per month for low-LTV, strong cases and can reach 1.25% per month depending on complexity and loan-to-value. Commercial mortgage rates typically start from 5.5% per annum. Business loan rates vary by deal size, term, and trading profile. All rates are individually assessed — running a Lendus comparison will show you where Shawbrook sits against the broader market for your specific needs.
Can I get a Shawbrook loan with bad credit?
Shawbrook applies human underwriting to every application, meaning that moderate adverse credit history is considered on its merits for property-backed products. Missed payments or satisfied defaults are more likely to be accepted than active CCJs or recent insolvency. For unsecured business loans, a cleaner credit profile is typically required. Shawbrook is significantly more flexible than high street banks on complex credit profiles, particularly when the property security is strong.
How much can I borrow from Shawbrook Bank?
Shawbrook provides bridging loans, commercial mortgages, and business loans from £50,000 to £25 million depending on the product and security. Bridging and commercial mortgage facilities are sized against the value of the underlying property, typically up to 70–75% LTV. Business loan sizes depend on turnover, profitability, and repayment capacity. Shawbrook can accommodate portfolio landlords and larger commercial property transactions that most specialist lenders cannot.
Is Shawbrook Bank FCA regulated?
Yes, Shawbrook Bank Limited is dual-regulated: authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the FCA and PRA under FCA reference number 388409. As a deposit-taking bank, Shawbrook is subject to the highest level of UK financial oversight, including capital adequacy requirements set by the PRA. Customer deposits held with Shawbrook are protected up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
How long does Shawbrook take to approve a loan?
Shawbrook can typically provide indicative terms on a bridging loan or commercial mortgage within 24 hours of receiving a full enquiry. Formal credit approval usually follows within 3 to 5 working days. Legal completion and fund release on a bridging loan typically takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on solicitor and valuation turnaround. Business loans may take a similar timeline given the financial review required.
Can I repay a Shawbrook loan early?
Early repayment terms depend on the specific Shawbrook product. Bridging loans typically allow early repayment after a minimum interest period (often 3 months) without penalty. Commercial mortgages may carry early repayment charges linked to the remaining term. Business loans will specify early repayment conditions in the facility letter. Always request a formal settlement figure before making any early repayment.
Shawbrook vs Together Money — which is better for complex property finance?
Both Shawbrook and Together Money are specialist property lenders suited to cases that high street banks decline, but they have different strengths. Shawbrook, as a full bank, may offer more competitive rates on commercial mortgages for lower-risk complex cases. Together Money has a longer history (founded 1974) and may be more flexible on the most adverse credit profiles and unusual property types. For HMO and portfolio landlord finance, Shawbrook tends to have particularly strong specialist criteria. Running both through Lendus's comparison will surface the best available rate for your exact situation.

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