Hampshire Trust Bank, often shortened to HTB, is a deposit-taking specialist bank offering bridging loans, development exit finance and development finance alongside specialist mortgages and business lending. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Hampshire Trust Bank; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans, development exit finance and development finance. You can read more on Hampshire Trust Bank's own website.
About Hampshire Trust Bank
Hampshire Trust Bank says it was founded in 1977 in Hampshire as a small local mortgage lender. In 2014 a new management team, backed by Alchemy Partners, revitalised the business and built it into the specialist bank it is today. It is now based in the City of London.
HTB is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority. It funds its lending largely through customer savings, which are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. It says it lent more than £3.5 billion in 2024 and focuses on borrowers that mainstream banks often overlook, across property finance, specialist mortgages, bridging, development finance and business lending.
Being a bank, rather than a fund or platform, can matter to developers and investors who value a lender with a deposit base and a long-term presence in the market.
What Hampshire Trust Bank funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), HTB's bridging covers England and Wales, with loans from £100,000 to £10 million (up to £25 million for development exit), facility terms of 12 to 24 months and interest rolled up or serviced. Early repayment is possible once a minimum period of interest has been paid.
| Product | What it is for | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|
| Residential bridging, including light refurbishment | Houses, flats and HMOs | Up to 75% LTV |
| Residential with automated valuation | Some residential cases valued between £250,000 and £1 million, without a full survey | Up to 65% LTV |
| Semi-commercial, including light refurbishment | Mixed-use property, up to 50% commercial | Up to 75% LTV |
| Commercial, including light refurbishment | Commercial property | Up to 70% LTV |
| Land | Land with planning permission | Up to 65% LTV |
| Heavy refurbishment | Structural or larger works | Up to 70% LTV |
| Development exit | Refinancing completed schemes while units sell or let | Up to 75% LTV, loans up to £25 million |
| Development finance | Residential, student accommodation and mixed-use schemes; pre-let or pre-sold commercial schemes | Up to 65% of GDV; HTB says its standard terms range from 12 to 36 months |
HTB's bridging is unregulated, so it is for investment and business purposes rather than a home you or your family live in. For development finance, HTB does not publish loan sizes or a loan to cost figure. Its development team also offers site assembly facilities.
Who Hampshire Trust Bank suits (and who it may not)
Hampshire Trust Bank tends to suit:
- Property investors in England and Wales wanting a bank lender for bridging from £100,000 upwards.
- Developers needing a sizeable development exit loan, up to £25 million.
- Borrowers buying or refinancing land with planning, or semi-commercial property.
- Experienced developers building residential, student or mixed-use schemes.
- Older borrowers: HTB sets no maximum age and no minimum income on its bridging.
It may not suit homeowners needing a regulated bridge, properties in Scotland or Northern Ireland, very short loans where the minimum interest period matters, first-time developers, or speculative commercial development, since its commercial development lending needs a pre-let or pre-sale.
What Hampshire Trust Bank looks at
As a bank, HTB applies structured underwriting. Expect it to look at:
- The property or site and its value, through a full valuation or, on some residential cases, an automated valuation.
- The exit: sale, refinance or, for development exit, the sales or letting plan for completed units.
- For refurbishment and development: planning, the scope and cost of works, the programme and your experience.
- For commercial development: pre-let or pre-sale agreements.
- The borrower and, for companies, directors and shareholders, including credit history and assets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A deposit-taking bank regulated by the PRA and FCA.
- Broad bridging range, including land, heavy refurbishment and commercial.
- Large development exit loans of up to £25 million.
- Automated valuation option on some residential cases.
- No maximum age or minimum income on bridging.
Cons
- England and Wales only.
- No regulated bridging.
- Development finance capped at 65% of GDV and aimed at experienced developers.
- Commercial development needs a pre-let or pre-sale.
- Development loan sizes and cost limits are not published.
Going through a broker vs going direct
HTB works closely with intermediaries. Comparing first matters because bank lenders, specialist bridgers and debt funds price and structure deals differently: a non-bank lender may offer higher leverage or a shorter minimum term, while a bank may offer stability and a lower margin for a strong case.
We search the market, set Hampshire Trust Bank alongside other suitable lenders, present your case and manage the application through to completion. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to Hampshire Trust Bank
- Shawbrook Bank: another specialist bank offering bridging and development finance.
- United Trust Bank: a specialist bank with bridging, second charge and development lending.
- Allica Bank: bank bridging across residential, semi-commercial and commercial property.
- LendInvest: bridging, developer exit and development finance.
- West One: residential and semi-commercial bridging plus development.
Common questions
How much can I borrow on a Hampshire Trust Bank bridging loan?
At the time of writing, HTB lends from £100,000 to £10 million on bridging, and up to £25 million on development exit loans.
Is Hampshire Trust Bank a proper bank?
Yes. It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the PRA and FCA, and it takes savings deposits covered by the FSCS.
Does Hampshire Trust Bank lend in Scotland?
Its bridging and development lending covers England and Wales only.
What leverage does HTB offer on development finance?
HTB says up to 65% of gross development value for experienced developers, over terms of 12 to 36 months. Commercial schemes need to be pre-let or pre-sold.
Does Hampshire Trust Bank offer regulated bridging?
No. Its bridging is for investment and business purposes. If you need to borrow against your own home, we can compare lenders that offer regulated bridging.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
