The Intermediary – September 2025 - Flipbook - Page 32
BUY-TO-LET
In focus
Taking complexity
out of refinancing
a portfolio
I
n a market characterised by
subdued transaction volumes
and cautious sentiment,
refinancing presents one
of the most powerful – and
underutilised – tools for
landlords looking to drive portfolio
growth. For brokers, it offers a clear
opportunity to support clients with
forward-thinking strategies that
go beyond rate-hunting and deliver
lasting value.
Landlords with existing property
portfolios are increasingly recognising
that refinancing is not simply about
improving cost-efficiency. It’s about
unlocking the liquidity needed to
take advantage of a quieter market,
where pricing is more favourable and
competition for assets is markedly
lower. It’s also about simplifying debt
structures and creating a foundation
for further diversification.
A shift
One of the more significant trends
we’re seeing at GB Bank is the
rise of landlords expanding into
semi-commercial and commercial
property. Whether driven by a
desire for stronger yields, broader
tenant profiles, or longer lease
terms, diversification is now a core
component of many landlords’ longterm strategies.
This shi demands more from
lenders. A significant number of
landlords now hold portfolios that
span traditional buy-to-let (BTL),
houses in multiple occupation
(HMOs), multi-unit freehold
blocks (MUFBs), semi-commercial
properties, and even fully commercial
assets. Lenders must be equipped to
assess and support this complexity, not
shy away from it.
At GB Bank, we’re able to finance
entire portfolios across these asset
30
The Intermediary | September 2025
MIKE SAYS
is CEO at GB Bank
classes under a single facility. This
not only simplifies management for
borrowers, but also provides brokers
with a compelling proposition. Where
the value or income on the residential
element of a semi-commercial
property accounts for more than 55%,
we’re able to apply BTL pricing, giving
landlords greater flexibility without
sacrificing affordability.
Now is the time to
revisit those landlord
clients [...] refinancing
could help them achieve
more, from capital
release to portfolio
simplification and
strategic diversification”
Beyond tick-box
Refinancing a mixed-development
portfolio is rarely a straightforward
process. It requires a lender with the
ability to take a nuanced, case-by-case
approach, particularly when layered
ownership structures, Special Purpose
Vehicle (SPVs) or trust arrangements
are involved. That’s where we think
we stand out at GB Bank – we bring
together the robustness of a regulated
bank with the agility of a specialist
lender providing non-regulated
loans. We work in partnership with
intermediaries to make complex
cases work.
This is especially valuable for clients
with fragmented lending across
multiple institutions. Consolidating
those loans into one coherent
facility can unlock capital, reduce
administrative friction, and deliver far
greater financial clarity.
A strategic opportunity
For intermediaries, refinancing
presents more than just a product
conversation. By identifying
landlords with untapped capital or
inefficient debt structures, brokers
can proactively shape investment
strategies, build loyalty, and deepen
client relationships.
Those intermediaries who can
articulate the strategic benefits of
refinancing a portfolio as a whole
will stand out, and with larger loan
sizes oen associated with property
portfolios, the commercial benefits,
both for client and intermediaries, can
be significant.
Now is the time to revisit those
landlord clients. Evaluate their
borrowing landscape, understand
their longer-term ambitions, and
explore how refinancing could help
them achieve more, from capital
release to portfolio simplification and
strategic diversification.
At GB Bank, we’re commied
to enabling this kind of forwardthinking proposition. Whether
the portfolio is residential,
commercial, or a blend of both, we
offer the flexibility and expertise to
support it, helping both clients and
intermediaries unlock potential where
others see complexity. ●
