Do I need to bank with a private bank already to get a private bank mortgage?

No, though it helps. Most private banks will consider a mortgage as the opening of a new relationship, not just a product for existing clients. Some, like C.Hoare & Co, are the exception and lend almost exclusively to existing private clients.

How much do I need in assets to qualify for a private bank mortgage?

There's no single threshold — it varies by bank and by case. Some banks expect a meaningful level of assets under management as a condition of lending; others are more flexible if the income and security profile is strong.

Is a private bank mortgage cheaper than a high street mortgage?

Not necessarily. Rates can be competitive, particularly for clients bringing significant assets to the relationship, but arrangement fees and AUM requirements often offset any headline saving. The right comparison depends on the full structure, not just the rate.

Can I get a private bank mortgage as a non-UK resident?

Yes — international and non-resident clients are a core part of the private banking mortgage market, particularly for prime London property. Structuring across jurisdictions and currencies is something private banks are typically well set up to handle.

What's the minimum loan size for a private bank mortgage?

Most private banks focus on loans from around £1-2 million upwards, though this varies by lender and by the wider relationship. Below this level, high street or specialist lending is usually more appropriate.

Can I use investment assets instead of income to secure a mortgage?

Often, yes. Many private banks will lend against a discounted value of a portfolio rather than requiring income alone to support the loan, which is particularly useful for clients with significant wealth but modest salaried income.

Do private banks offer interest-only mortgages?

Yes, more readily than most high street lenders, particularly where there's a credible and evidenced repayment strategy tied to assets, business sale proceeds, or other capital events.

How long does a private bank mortgage take to arrange?

It varies considerably. Because terms are relationship-led rather than templated, timelines can be longer than a straightforward high street application, though a well-prepared case presented to the right bank can still move quickly.

What documents will a private bank ask for?

Expect more than a standard mortgage application — typically a detailed statement of assets and liabilities, business accounts or tax returns for variable income, source of funds and source of wealth evidence, and details of any existing banking relationships.

Can a private bank mortgage be used for buy-to-let or commercial property?

Some private banks will lend on investment or commercial property as part of a wider relationship, though this is less standardised than residential lending and is assessed case by case.

What happens if my income is irregular or made up of bonuses and dividends?

Variable income is typically assessed holistically rather than through a fixed multiplier, which suits business owners, partners, and bonus-heavy earners.

Should I use a broker or approach a private bank directly?

A broker with active private banking relationships will usually have a clearer view of current lending appetite than a client approaching cold, and can present the case to the bank most likely to say yes on the best terms.

Is a private bank mortgage right for every high-net-worth borrower?

No. For a straightforward purchase with clean, provable income and no interest in a new banking relationship, a high street lender is often faster and cheaper. Private bank lending earns its place where complexity, scale, or an existing relationship make it worthwhile.

Lender Guides

Halifax Large Loans Compared With Private Bank Lending

Halifax large loans use published income and LTV bands alongside a full affordability assessment. This guide covers variable pay, interest-only borrowing, a £1.2 million example and named alternatives.

Written By: James Blackler

On Sep 8, 2026

At Oakstead Finance, we work with Halifax regularly and have a practical understanding of how the lender approaches applications. Halifax Premier covers mortgages from £650,000 to £5 million through the lender’s full product range, with a named case manager for the application.

Halifax Large Loans: What Counts as a Large Mortgage?

Halifax treats borrowing from £650,000 to £5 million as Premier business, bringing specialist pre-submission support and a named case manager. The mortgage remains a mainstream Halifax application, with affordability, credit and property checks rather than private-bank underwriting.

✪ The £650,000 threshold relates to Halifax Premier service.
✪ Loans above £750,000 use specific published LTI bands.
✪ Oakstead’s guide to million-pound mortgages explains why the number alone is rarely the main difficulty.

How Much Can Halifax Lend, and Are Rates Separate?

Halifax publishes Premier support up to £5 million and says its full mortgage product range is available. It does not describe a separate private-bank rate process for large loans.

✪ Maximum borrowing remains subject to affordability, LTV, credit score and property acceptability.
✪ The published maximum mortgage term is 40 years, subject to age and retirement-income rules.
✪ Current rate, fee and early-repayment terms need checking at application and before completion.

Halifax Large Loans: Which Income Multiples Apply?

For loans above £750,000, Halifax publishes maximum LTI caps of 5.00x or 5.50x where the applicant has income above £75,000. The applicable cap depends on total income and LTV, and affordability can produce a lower figure.

✪ Income over £75,000 to £125,000: up to 5.50x at no more than 75% LTV, or 5.00x above 75% to 85% LTV.
✪ Income over £125,000: up to 5.50x at no more than 85% LTV.
✪ Oakstead’s explanation of how lenders use income multiples covers why a cap is not an approval figure.

How Does Halifax Treat Bonus, Commission and Company Profit?

Halifax can use variable pay and company-director income, but the evidence method can materially change assessed income on a large application.

✪ Annual, half-yearly or quarterly bonus and commission uses the lower of the latest 12-month total or the two-year average.
✪ Standard limited-company-director income is salary plus dividends shown on tax calculations.
✪ A share of net profit can be referred to an underwriter, with two years’ accounts, an accountant’s projection and bank statements.

For bonus-led applicants, Oakstead’s guide to how lenders assess investment-banker bonus income gives useful wider context.

Halifax Large Loans: What Changes for Interest-Only Borrowing?

Interest-only borrowing is available up to 75% LTV, while part interest-only and part repayment can reach 85% LTV with an acceptable repayment plan for the interest-only balance.

✪ Sale of the mortgaged main residence requires minimum equity of £300,000, £500,000 or £750,000 according to the interest-only LTV band.
✪ Cash, pensions, investments, property sale and certain bonus arrangements have separate evidence rules.
✪ The term, repayment plan and retirement position are assessed alongside standard affordability.

Halifax at a Glance

Large-Loan Point	Published Position
Premier service range	£650,000 – £5 million
Loans above £750,000	Specific LTI bands apply
Published large-loan LTI	Up to 5.00x or 5.50x
Full interest-only	Maximum 75% LTV
Maximum term	40 years
Product route	Full Halifax range
Case support	Named Premier case manager
Published offer time	No fixed working-day target

Worked Example: A £1.2 Million Halifax Mortgage

A hypothetical buyer earns £180,000 salary, received a £100,000 annual bonus in the latest year and £60,000 in the previous year, and wants £1.2 million against a £1.6 million home.

✪ The deposit is £400,000, giving 75% LTV.
✪ The two-year bonus average is £80,000, lower than the latest £100,000, so assessed income is £260,000.
✪ The requested loan is 4.62x assessed income, below the published 5.50x cap for this income and LTV band.

The LTI test does not settle the case. Halifax still assesses expenditure, commitments, credit score, income sustainability and the property before confirming any amount.

How Do Atom Bank and Investec Compare?

Atom Bank and Investec illustrate two different alternatives: a digital intermediary lender with published limits, and a private bank using a wider financial profile.

✪ Atom publishes Prime lending up to £2 million at no more than 75% LTV and up to 6.00x LTI for employed income of at least £75,000 at no more than 90% LTV. It uses 70% of non-guaranteed bonus and can use a director’s share of pre-tax profit, but not dividends.
✪ Investec starts residential mortgages at £1 million and typically lends up to £10 million, assessing income more holistically. Its published eligibility requires £300,000 yearly earnings and £3 million net worth.

Halifax may suit a mainstream product comparison, while a private bank may examine assets and complex income differently. Oakstead’s overview of high-net-worth mortgage structures explains the broader trade-offs.

What You Need to Know

Halifax large loans combine mainstream products with Premier case support, but the published limits remain only the starting point.

✪ Premier covers £650,000 to £5 million.
✪ Loans above £750,000 have specific income and LTV bands.
✪ Variable income evidence can change the affordability result.
✪ Rates and criteria can change and require confirmation before an application.

Book a Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What Counts as a Halifax Large Loan?

Halifax large loans enter the Premier service from £650,000, with the published range extending to £5 million. A named case manager supports the application.

What Is the Maximum Halifax Large Mortgage?

Halifax publishes Premier support for mortgages up to £5 million. The amount available can be lower after affordability, credit, LTV and property assessment.

Can Halifax Lend 5.5 Times Income Above £750,000?

Yes, in published bands. Applicants need income above £75,000 and the required LTV, while Halifax affordability and credit scoring can still reduce the result.

How Does Halifax Assess an Annual Bonus?

Halifax uses the lower of the bonus received in the latest 12 months or the average received in each of the latest two years. Evidence of both years is normally required.

Can Halifax Use Company Net Profit?

Not as standard income. Halifax normally uses salary plus dividends, but an underwriter can consider a majority shareholder’s share of net profit with additional accounts, projections and bank statements.

Does Halifax Offer Interest-Only Large Mortgages?

Yes. Full interest-only is available up to 75% LTV, subject to income, affordability and an acceptable repayment plan covering the entire interest-only balance.

How Long Does a Halifax Large Loan Application Take?

Halifax does not publish one fixed application-to-offer target. Premier cases have a named case manager, and timing depends on evidence, valuation and underwriting.

Are Halifax Large Loans Better Than Private Bank Mortgages?

Neither route is automatically better. Halifax uses mainstream products and published criteria, while a private bank may consider assets, income structure and repayment design more broadly.

Arrange a consultation with Oakstead Finance.

Written By James Blackler

James Blackler founded Oakstead Finance to give complex cases the attention they're usually denied. Based at Arding & Hobbs in Clapham Junction, he works with London buyers and homeowners whose applications need more than a standard lender checklist; complex income, tight timelines, or a structure most brokers won't take the time to get right.

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