United Trust Bank

UTB structures its secured loan range across five product tiers, each with different LTV ceilings and adverse credit tolerances. Super Prime is the highest tier, offering up to 90% LTV for borrowers with no adverse credit events in the past 48 months. Prime Plus and Prime offer progressively more flexibility on adverse credit with slightly lower LTV limits. Near Prime and Specialist are designed for borrowers with more significant credit issues, with the Specialist tier accepting up to 2 defaults and 2 CCJs within the past 24 months at up to 80% LTV.

The tier that applies to a borrower is determined by their credit profile, not their preference. A broker will assess which tier fits and can explain the LTV and rate implications before any formal application is submitted. No minimum credit score is applied across any of the five tiers. The guide to secured loans for bad credit covers how different specialist lenders approach impaired credit profiles.

UTB's published secured loan range is from £10,000 to £1 million, depending on the product tier, the property value, and individual circumstances. The maximum LTV on the Super Prime tier is 90%, so the available amount depends on the equity position after the existing mortgage is taken into account. Lower tiers have lower LTV ceilings. A full affordability assessment is also required, which means the amount offered may be less than the theoretical maximum based on equity alone.

For bridging finance, the range extends from £50,000 to £15 million. The borrowing capacity on a bridging loan depends primarily on the property value, the LTV, and the strength of the exit strategy rather than income alone (though regulated cases do require income evidence). The guide to understanding LTV ratios explains how equity position affects lending across both product types.

Yes. UTB offers both fixed-rate and tracker-rate options on its secured loan range. Fixed rates are available at 2, 3, and 5-year terms, giving the borrower payment certainty for the fixed period. Tracker rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate plus a margin, meaning the rate and monthly payment move in line with base rate changes. Fixed-rate products may carry early repayment charges during the fixed period, while some product options carry no ERC.

The choice between fixed and tracker depends on the borrower's circumstances and risk appetite. A fixed rate provides certainty but may carry ERCs if the borrower wants to repay early. A tracker offers the potential to benefit from rate reductions but carries the risk that payments increase if rates rise. The guide to fixed vs variable rates for secured loans covers the trade-offs in full.

UTB states that bridging loans can complete within two weeks of initial enquiry, but this requires all parties to work together effectively and for the surveyor to have immediate access to the security property. The Fast Track service, which uses AVMs on qualifying properties up to £1 million and options such as dual legal representation and biometric ID verification, is designed to accelerate straightforward proposals.

More complex cases involving non-standard property, large loan amounts requiring a full valuation, or complicated legal structures will take longer. The most common causes of delay are missing documents, slow legal responses from third parties, and valuation access problems rather than lender processing times. A broker experienced in bridging finance can set realistic expectations based on the specifics of the case.

UTB lends against residential property, HMO and multi-unit properties, mixed-use buildings, and properties being converted into these categories. Land with planning consent is considered on a case-by-case basis. The bank covers England, Wales, and mainland Scotland for bridging finance. For secured loans, the property must be the borrower's main residence.

Light refurbishment products cover cosmetic and non-structural works with a works budget capped at 25% of the initial LTV (maximum £200,000). Heavy refurbishment products cover structural works, extensions, conversions, and change of use, with funds released in staged drawdowns against confirmed works progress. A monitoring surveyor verifies each stage before the next tranche is released.

No. United Trust Bank operates exclusively through the intermediary channel. All applications must go through a regulated mortgage broker. You cannot apply directly to UTB. This is a deliberate approach: UTB works with a select panel of brokers who understand their products and criteria, which helps ensure applications are well-matched and well-prepared before they reach the underwriting team.

The advantage of this model for borrowers is that you benefit from the broker's knowledge of UTB's criteria alongside the rest of their lender panel. If UTB is the best fit, the broker can position the application accordingly. If another lender offers more competitive terms for your specific circumstances, the broker can place the case there instead. Checking eligibility through Squared Money connects you with a specialist broker who has access to UTB's products.

Yes. UTB accepts self-employed borrowers for its secured loan range. Sole traders are assessed on 100% of net profit. Limited company directors with 25% or more shareholding are assessed on salary plus dividends. The minimum income requirement is £15,000 for the primary applicant. Employment-type income requires 12 months in the current role.

UTB also considers a wide range of benefits income including Universal Credit (excluding jobseeker's allowance and housing benefit), personal independence payment, employment and support allowance, and child benefit. The guide to secured loans for self-employed borrowers covers the documentation requirements and income assessment approaches across different specialist lenders.

Yes. United Trust Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority. This dual regulation means UTB is a fully licensed bank, subject to prudential capital requirements as well as conduct rules. This is a higher standard of regulation than applies to many specialist lenders in the secured and bridging markets, which typically hold FCA authorisation only.

For borrowers, this means UTB is required to meet strict capital and liquidity standards, which provides assurance that the bank has the financial strength to complete transactions. Regulated products (second charge mortgages and regulated bridging) carry the standard FCA consumer protections including mandatory affordability assessments, standardised disclosure, and the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.