United Trust Bank has announced an important product update. Click here for the latest Master Broker/Packager/Distributors product guides. Or here for the updated product guides for Direct/Networks/Club. If you have any new applications you wish to discuss, please Contact us for more information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Decade of Change: UTB Mortgages in a Shifting UK Landscape
Introduction: Ten Years of Transformation Ten years ago, the UK mortgage market was in a very different place. Interest rates were low, Brexit wasn’t on the radar, and a global pandemic was unthinkable. Since then, a series of economic and geopolitical shocks have reshaped the mortgage landscape. Throughout this period, United Trust Bank (UTB) has remained not only resilient but progressive—developing a strong reputation as a flexible, forward-thinking specialist lender.
From launching innovative products to embracing digital technology and expanding its reach, UTB has consistently evolved to meet the needs of brokers and borrowers alike. As the market has changed, so too has UTB—demonstrating an unwavering commitment to adapting with purpose.
Adapting to a Volatile Market The past decade has brought waves of economic disruption. After the financial crisis, the market enjoyed a period of relative stability before the 2016 Brexit vote introduced uncertainty. That was followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a booming housing market driven by stamp duty relief and low rates, and then a sharp surge in inflation in 2022 that drove rates and affordability stress to new highs.
Amid these shifts, UTB remained a consistent presence—adjusting criteria, introducing new solutions and keeping the door open when many others paused or pulled back.
Evolving the Proposition: From Second Charge to Diverse Suite of Products
UTB’s mortgage proposition has undergone significant transformation. From a modest second charge offering with a few products and a £100k maximum loan size, the Bank has developed a wide-ranging suite of solutions designed to support real-world borrower needs.
Over the years, UTB has expanded into residential first charge mortgages for customers with credit blips, complex incomes or unusual properties, and grown to support up to 95% loan-to-value and loan sizes up to £2 million. Buy-to-let followed, offering tailored
products for both individuals and limited companies, with support for HMOs, multi-unit blocks, holiday lets and non-standard property types. Across our range we have getting on for 300 interest rate options available depending on product, LTV, term and borrower type from BofE tracking rates to 5-year fixes.
To give some context to our journey so far, when we launched in 2015 we had two partner firms with 19 advisers. Today we have over 3150 partner firms with 9,500 advisers. At the start we had 2.5 underwriters and 1.5 sales people because we had people sharing roles. Now we have 25 underwriters (and still recruiting!) and 12 in the Sales team. From receiving just a handful of phone calls we now receive around 150 per day regarding new business and applications in underwriting. It doesn’t include the contact we have servicing customers in-loan.
As you would expect, we do a bit more business these days too! In 2015 when we launched we only completed 52 second charge loans totalling £2.3m. These days we’re looking at £500m+ in completions per year with sales of what will be £2.5bn by the end of 2025. Yes, it’s less than the Big 6 but the customers we as the specialist market serve are different and certainly no-less important!
UTB’s approach has always been rooted in flexibility, speed and common sense—delivering solutions for borrowers underserved by mainstream lenders.
People First, Powered by Tech
While many lenders moved toward full automation, UTB combined digital innovation with the expertise of skilled underwriters. The Bank’s commitment to human decision-making remains central to its approach, ensuring nuanced cases are considered on merit rather than a rigid checklist.
What began with a small, close-knit team and a handful of broker partners has grown into a network of thousands of registered introducers supported by a significantly expanded and specialist mortgage team.
At the same time, UTB has embraced technology to enhance the broker and borrower experience. From a fully digital broker portal and real-time application tools to biometric ID checks and automated Decision in Principle systems, the Bank has transformed its processes without compromising its personal touch.
More recently, UTB has introduced AI to support customer care and operational insight—helping identify vulnerable customers and streamline processes—with further innovations planned to support brokers and underwriters alike.
Looking Ahead: Stability in a Changing World
Through Brexit, COVID-19, inflation and market volatility, UTB has shown its strength not just in surviving the storm but in evolving through it. While others paused lending or scaled back, UTB stayed consistent—reviewing criteria, enhancing product options and making changes to help brokers serve their clients.
Today, the Bank offers a robust, technology-enabled mortgage proposition built for the complexities of modern borrowers. The team remains focused on being easy to work with, committed to relationships, and responsive to change.
As the next chapter unfolds, UTB Mortgages will continue to evolve—investing in its people, technology and partnerships to meet the changing needs of the market and deliver the best outcomes for customers. Its future, like its past, is built on flexibility, reliability and a deep commitment to helping brokers get the job done.