The Intermediary – April 2025 - Flipbook - Page 44
T H E I N T E RV I E W
Shawbrook
“The heavy refurb product in our bridging is
a really good product, it’s utilised an awful lot
by investors that are looking to build portfolios,
but on a long-term basis.”
She adds: “That’s a great way to extend the
economic lifespan of that asset, and obviously
getting to an EPC rating of C or above is critical
to that.”
Shawbrook sees this not only as a market
opportunity but as a social responsibility.
Cox says: “It’s a very important metric we are
committed to providing a good, decent level of
housing stock in the UK. This is a way that as a
bank we can contribute to that.”
Tailored support
Aside from its commitment to improving
energy efficiency, Shawbrook takes a tailored
approach to working with landlord borrowers,
recognising that every investor is at a different
stage in their property journey.
Cox says: “If you’re a landlord and this
is going to be – even if it isn’t quite yet –
your main income stream, then you’re a
professional landlord.”
However, the way Shawbrook caters to
its customers differs based on whether they
are just starting out or are already managing
large portfolios. For those at the beginning of
their investment trajectory – typically nonportfolio landlords – Shawbrook has developed
a digital proposition that prioritises simplicity
and speed.
Cox notes: “Our digital proposition is for nonportfolio landlords that are starting out with
an intent is to become bigger, we’ve got a very
easy on boarding process at Shawbrook.
“It’s very slick – there are automated
valuation models (AVMs) where possible, so
they can get to their end position in a relatively
frictionless way, to allow them to start to build
that base for their portfolio.”
As landlords grow and their strategies
become more sophisticated, Shawbrook hopes
to evolve with them.
Cox explains: “We can then get the right
balance and build their strategies out in that
space, knowing that they’ve got the certainty
of a lender like Shawbrook that can provide the
finance for them.” The philosophy is to “follow
the full life cycle of an investor,” supporting
them from their first buy-to-let property
through to expansive portfolios. Whether it
is bridging finance to fund refurbishments or
long-term loans for holding assets, Cox says
Shawbrook has a product to suit.
She adds: “If you’re just starting out – there’s
a product for that. If you’re an experienced
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The Intermediary | April 2025
landlord and you’ve got lots of properties, we’ve
also got a product for that. We’ve seen plenty
grow with Shawbrook that started out with just
a small handful of properties and are now into
tens if not hundreds, and that’s lovely to see.”
Backing brokers
At Shawbrook, brokers are not just
intermediaries, they are partners in the success
of the business. As Cox puts it: “The real estate
business at Shawbrook is intermediary led.
“The success at Shawbrook has been built
as a result of us working with brokers, and
hopefully supporting brokers to also become
successful. It’s a genuine partnership and we’ve
always seen it that way.”
This philosophy is embedded in Shawbrook’s
operations, where brokers are relied upon
not just during the application process, but
throughout the entire lifecycle of a loan.
Cox explains: “We rely on our brokers a lot.
Those that work with us will probably testify to
that. They create an awful lot of value in how we
work with the end borrower.
“They’re not just transacting with Shawbrook,
they are working with us to get to the right
outcome for that borrower.”
Brokers play a hands-on role in every stage,
from working with Shawbrook’s valuation
and legal panels to helping ensure a smooth
completion, and even staying involved once the
loan is in place.
Cox adds: “We still consider the broker to be
a partner in that transaction, even though the
transaction may have originated years ago.
“Our business would not be what it is today
without that genuine partnership with brokers,
and I’d like to think that they see that as a
reciprocal relationship as well.”
Importantly, Cox notes that Shawbrook’s
lending proposition is shaped by feedback from
these brokers. She says: “They tell us what they
need. Sometimes we don’t always get it right
and there’s a bit of trial and error.
“We don’t just land products out there and
expect brokers to take them up. We work with
them so hopefully we give them solutions that
they can offer up to the customers.”
Shawbrook’s support does not stop at
product design. The bank invests in broker
education, hosting events and creating
opportunities for brokers to engage with
valuers and understand the nuances of
property finance.
“It’s about sharing that information and
knowledge,” Cox notes. “That’s something
that we take a lot of time on and we’re quite
thoughtful about.”
