Lender review · Asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging, development finance
Hampshire Trust Bank
- Reviewed May 2026
- Editor Oliver Mackman
- Companies House 01311315
- Methodology Public
PRA-authorised UK specialist bank covering asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging and specialist development finance. Established 1977 (relaunched as HTB 2014). Broker-distributed and relationship-led. Strong on asset-backed and property-backed deals where mainstream banks decline on covenant rather than credit.
Director, BestBusinessLoans
Oliver leads BestBusinessLoans's editorial reviews and methodology. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees lender research, rate verification and review independence.
Last reviewed: 8 May 2026
At a glance
- Product
- Asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging, development finance
- Ticket size
- £25k to £25m+
- Typical rate
- Bespoke, quoted at offer
- Decision time
- 5 to 15 business days
- Soft search at quote
- No
- Limited companies only
- Yes
- FCA regulated
- Yes (check the FCA Register)
- Companies House
- 01311315
- Founded
- 1977
Scores against our methodology
- Rate transparency4/5
- Eligibility clarity4/5
- Decision speed3/5
- Decline handling4/5
How Hampshire Trust Bank works
Hampshire Trust Bank operates as a asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging, development finance provider in the UK SMB market. PRA-authorised UK specialist bank covering asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging and specialist development finance. Established 1977 (relaunched as HTB 2014). Broker-distributed and relationship-led. Strong on asset-backed and property-backed deals where mainstream banks decline on covenant rather than credit.
The product mechanic is straightforward in shape but the underwriting is sector-specific. Tickets sit in the £25k to £25m+ band, decisions land within 5 to 15 business days, and the published rate range is Bespoke, quoted at offer. A hard search may apply at quote stage; ask before you submit if credit-file footprint matters to you. Hampshire Trust Bank is FCA regulated.
Where Hampshire Trust Bank fits best: asset-backed and property-backed deals, sme developers and commercial landlords, broker-introduced cases £150k+. Where it does not fit: self-serve sub-£25k, unsecured working capital, sole traders.
Pricing examples
Worked examples using Hampshire Trust Bank's published rate range (Bespoke, quoted at offer). This lender prices by factor rate or bespoke quote, so we show the structure, not a worked APR.
| Ticket | Term | Estimated total cost | Approx monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | 24 months | See lender quote | See lender quote |
| £50,000 | 36 months | See lender quote | See lender quote |
| £100,000 | 48 months | See lender quote | See lender quote |
Indicative only. Confirm on a Hampshire Trust Bank quote.
Eligibility
- Trading time: typically 12 to 24 months minimum for the cleanest pricing.
- Turnover floor: not always published. As a working figure, expect a £100k+ turnover requirement for term loans of £50k+. Smaller tickets and MCA structures have lower floors.
- Sector exclusions: Self-serve sub-£25k; Unsecured working capital.
- Credit profile: Clean credit preferred; older satisfied items often acceptable.
- Company structure: Limited companies only.
- Best fit: Asset-backed and property-backed deals; SME developers and commercial landlords; Broker-introduced cases £150k+.
Pros
- + Genuine PRA-regulated UK bank; FSCS deposit protection on linked savings.
- + Multiple specialist product lines under one underwriter.
- + Real human credit team attached to each case.
- + Strong record on bridging and development finance for SME developers.
Cons
- − Broker-distributed; not self-serve.
- − Headline rates not published.
- − Slower than fintech alternatives.
- − Engagement below £25k unlikely.
Best for
- · Asset-backed and property-backed deals
- · SME developers and commercial landlords
- · Broker-introduced cases £150k+
Weak at
- · Self-serve sub-£25k
- · Unsecured working capital
- · Sole traders
When to use Hampshire Trust Bank
Use Hampshire Trust Bank when
Your application matches the best-fit profile: asset-backed and property-backed deals, sme developers and commercial landlords, broker-introduced cases £150k+. The published ticket range (£25k to £25m+) covers your ask, the decision speed (5 to 15 business days) fits your cash-gap timeline, and the rate range (Bespoke, quoted at offer) is acceptable to you given your credit profile.
Do not use Hampshire Trust Bank when
Your profile sits in the weak-at list: self-serve sub-£25k, unsecured working capital, sole traders. Hampshire Trust Bank will likely decline, and the decline itself can sit on broker records for 90 days. If you have any of these flags, route directly to a specialist (post-decline lender, MCA against card flow, asset-backed alternative) rather than using Hampshire Trust Bank as a screen.
FAQs
What is the minimum trading time for Hampshire Trust Bank?
Hampshire Trust Bank typically asks for 12 to 24 months of trading. Newer businesses can sometimes qualify against alternative underwriting (card flow for MCA, asset security for asset finance), but the cleanest pricing tends to require two full sets of accounts.
Does Hampshire Trust Bank require a personal guarantee?
Most UK SMB lenders require a personal guarantee from at least one director. Hampshire Trust Bank is no exception in the standard case. The few exceptions: asset-backed lending where the asset itself stands as security, and a small number of MCA structures where card flow is the underwriting basis. For asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging, development finance specifically, expect a PG to be requested.
How fast does Hampshire Trust Bank fund?
Hampshire Trust Bank quotes 5 to 15 business days for an underwriting decision. Funding to bank account typically follows within one to three working days of acceptance, subject to KYC, signed documents, and (where applicable) registration of any debenture or charge.
What rate should I expect from Hampshire Trust Bank?
Hampshire Trust Bank's published range is Bespoke, quoted at offer. The headline number is rarely the offered number. Rate transparency on this lender scores 4/5 in our methodology. Expect the cleaner end of the band only if you have 2+ years of trading, clean credit, and turnover comfortably above the lender's stated floor.
What happens if Hampshire Trust Bank declines me?
If Hampshire Trust Bank declines, you have three realistic next steps. First, ask for the decline reason in writing, most reputable UK lenders will tell you. Second, route the application to a specialist post-decline lender (Bizcap, JPM Capital, Bolton Finance) where credit issues are the constraint, or to an asset-backed alternative where security is available. Third, use a broker panel to fan the application across the lenders most likely to accept your specific decline reason. Hampshire Trust Bank scores 4/5 on decline handling in our methodology.
Where to apply
Apply directly via www.htb.co.uk, or use our free quote form to be matched across the UK broker panel most likely to approve your specific profile, not just Hampshire Trust Bank.
Specialty alternatives
See all lender reviews for alternatives.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 8 May 2026. Lender website: www.htb.co.uk.