Since we were founded, our purpose has been simple – to provide access to the UK property market for underserved investor communities.
This purpose is supported by our values, which include providing what the market is missing, creating agile solutions, and consistently outperforming expectations. We fulfil this purpose primarily through mortgage lending for borrowers who might find themselves excluded by mainstream lenders.
Historically, this has included the following:
- Non-UK residents, even those in higher-risk jurisdictions
- Borrowers with non-standard income inc. Self-employed, retired, etc.
- Offshore trust and company structures
To serve these markets, we have created a “Swiss army knife” of a mortgage product. It’s a versatile product with flexible features that can be tailored to a wide range of scenarios. This approach has allowed us to solve problems that many other lenders cannot.
And now, following the launch of the RAW UK Mortgage Company, we can apply the same philosophy much closer to home – but what gaps does our approach to lending fill for UK resident borrowers?
In this blog, we’ll explore just that…
Recognising gaps, and filling them with our new UK offering
To our minds, there are several areas where conventional lenders fall short, creating opportunities for a more flexible approach:
- Individuals without a credit footprint in the UK
Many lenders require a detailed UK credit history. But what about UK passport holders returning home, BNOs, or Tier 2 visa holders? We already work with foreign nationals, so we understand how to assess risk beyond a simple credit score.
Extending this to domestic borrowers is a natural step, opening doors for those who would otherwise be excluded. That’s why our UK mortgage set up will consider any and all applications that come to us.
- Non-owner occupiers
Conventional buy-to-let (BTL) lenders often insist that applicants already own residential property. This excludes renters, those living with family, digital nomads, and other non-owner occupiers.
In this case, lenders overlook what really matters – whether the applicant can afford the mortgage loan. As such, by focusing on affordability rather than prior ownership, RAW can support these individuals in taking their first steps into property investment.
- Property Holding Companies
Elsewhere, many lenders shy away from complex ownership structures, including limited companies or entities with a non-UK element. But our team is largely based in Guernsey, where complex structures are common.
It means that we have the expertise needed to navigate these structures and provide financing to UK entities – no matter how complex their situations might be.
Our new UK mortgage products provide unregulated lending for companies and professional landlords. It means that they can access terms loans of up to 10 years for buy-to-let, as well as bridging loans of up to 18 months for business purposes, including renovation, refurbishment, and development-exit.
- Remortgaging and legacy debt
Another example of borrowers who struggle to secure mainstream finance are those with historic defaults, CCJs, or unconventional refinance needs.
But we can also offer near-prime and light-adverse solutions, enabling landlords to fund new purchases, restructure portfolios, or release equity. Borrowers can also now take advantage of mortgage overpayments to pay down their loan faster and reduce long-term interest, giving them more control over their finances.
We also offer zero stress testing, salary top slicing, and soft credit checks, reducing the risk of excluding customers.
- High service levels
Navigating a traditional bank can be slow and frustrating. At RAW, borrowers and intermediaries benefit from fast, flexible decisions, case-by-case underwriting, and direct access to named Business Development team members.
As a bonus, we’re still a phone-based company, so brokers and borrowers aren’t stuck talking to a computer or bot that many lenders are increasingly using. This personal touch ensures a smoother, more responsive experience.
Where else do traditional lenders fall short? You tell us…
We’re constantly looking to push boundaries and explore areas where other lenders have limitations. If you’re an intermediary with clients who don’t fit the standard lending criteria, we want to hear from you.
Get in touch if you have the applications that are difficult to place, and we’ll help you find practical, innovative solutions – no matter where your client is based.