Shawbrook Bank acquires The Mortgage Lender

By Bridging Loan Directory 28th January 2021

Shawbrook Bank strengthened its position in its core residential and buy-to-let markets today by agreeing the terms of the acquisition of specialist intermediary mortgage business, The Mortgage Lender (TML).

Shawbrook, itself a specialist lender to UK SMEs, has agreed to acquire TML for an undisclosed fee in a strategic purchase that provides the Bank with substantial growth opportunities.

TML will retain the brand that has helped it become widely recognised as an innovative leader in the mortgage industry.

The acquisition, which has regulatory approval, will extend Shawbrook’s Property Finance product range and significantly increases its distribution network.

The enlarged Group will focus on the creation of a best in class offering for intermediaries, underpinned by Shawbrook’s retail franchise and substantial commitment to technology.

Subject to satisfaction of the remaining conditions to the acquisition, completion of the acquisition is expected to occur in February 2021.

John Eastgate, Managing Director of Shawbrook Property Finance, said:

“The acquisition of TML is an exciting opportunity for both organisations.

It positions Shawbrook in front of a much wider intermediary audience and reinforces TML’s growth plans with the strength of a retail savings franchise.

It will also allow us to maximise the benefits of our substantial investment in digital and enhance our offering to intermediaries.

Shawbrook has long had an outstanding reputation with its intermediary partners and in a relatively short period, TML has achieved the same, creating a very strong brand that will remain in place.

The combination of the two businesses creates an even more powerful force in the specialist lending market.

The breadth of the product range and strong digital capabilities makes the Group relevant to effectively all mortgage intermediaries in the UK.”

The full acquisition of TML follows Shawbrook taking a minority share in the business in 2018.

John added:

“We have built an excellent relationship with TML management over the last three years.

This acquisition is a natural extension of that relationship, and the experienced TML leadership team will strengthen our existing management as we enhance our presence in the specialist lending market.”

The Mortgage Lender is a specialist intermediary-only mortgage lender that provides products and criteria that meet the needs of borrowers who are not served by the high street.

In October, the lender announced it had finished the third quarter with a record increase in BTL applications and completions.

Peter Beaumont, Chief Executive of TML, said:

“The deal is great news for TML, our broker partners and borrowers.

We’ve worked closely with Shawbrook Bank for the last three years, and this is a progression of that partnership and a great strategic and cultural fit for both businesses.

It will underpin our growth and the expansion of our proposition. The backing of an established retail savings franchise provides us with the security that will help us to grow, and to challenge the larger players.

But it’s very much business as usual. We will be retaining our brand and will be a separate regulated entity, however we will soon begin to leverage from all Shawbrook has to offer to make our business stronger and more successful.

We will also be investing in the business to accelerate our digital transformation and build on our success as an originator in the specialist intermediary-only mortgage market.”

The Mortgage Lender founder and chairman, Trevor Pothecary, said:

“I am proud the company I envisaged over six years ago has grown into a thriving specialist mortgage lender.

We are delighted to become part of Shawbrook Bank which marks the next chapter in our growth and is an exciting time for our team, intermediary partners and customers.”