Which Swiss banks are best for mortgages to buy a property in London?
Tags: Large mortgage loans, Private banks
Quick Summary
Swiss private banks such as UBS, Julius Baer, Lombard Odier, EFG and Pictet can help wealthy clients buy or refinance London property, especially where they need bespoke lending, interest-only mortgages, Lombard loans, foreign income assessment or borrowing against investment portfolios. They are often best suited to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients with significant liquid assets and complex global wealth. However, Swiss banks are not always cheaper or easier than HSBC, Barclays, Santander or other UK lenders. Many borrowers with strong UK income and straightforward affordability may secure better mortgage rates from mainstream or UK private banks, particularly as they are keen to attract internationally based clients. Trinity Financial can compare both routes. Click here to view our £1 million+ mortgage best buy table.
Which Swiss banks are best for buying property in London?
Swiss private banks can be a good option for wealthy clients buying or refinancing property in London, particularly where the borrower has a large investment portfolio, complex income, international wealth, foreign currency earnings, trusts, carried interest, bonus income, private equity distributions or assets held outside the UK.
For the right borrower, Swiss banks such as UBS, Julius Baer, Lombard Odier, EFG, Pictet and other private banks can offer highly bespoke lending. They may be able to structure facilities using a combination of a traditional mortgage, interest-only lending, Lombard finance or borrowing secured against an investment portfolio.
However, Swiss private banks are not always the best route. Many buyers will still be better served by a mainstream or UK private banking lender such as HSBC, Barclays, Santander, Coutts, Investec or NatWest, particularly where they have straightforward income, want a competitive fixed rate, and do not want to transfer substantial assets under management.
Why use a Swiss bank to buy a London property?
Swiss banks are often used by high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients who want more than a standard mortgage. Many of these borrowers are asset-rich but may not fit normal UK mortgage affordability rules.
A Swiss bank may be worth considering where the client:
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Has a large investment portfolio
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Wants to borrow against securities
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Is buying prime London property
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Has complex income or global assets
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Is resident overseas or internationally mobile
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Owns businesses or private equity interests
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Wants lending linked to wealth management
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Needs a mortgage, Lombard loan and investment strategy assessed together
Swiss private banks are often more interested in the client’s overall wealth than just pay-slips and tax returns. This can make them useful for entrepreneurs, private equity partners, family offices, international buyers and clients with significant assets but irregular income.
Which Swiss banks may help with London property finance?
There is no single “best” Swiss bank for every London property buyer. The right lender depends on the client’s wealth, assets under management, income, residency, property value, loan size, currency, repayment strategy and appetite for moving investments.
| Swiss bank | Potential strengths for London property buyers | Typical client profile |
|---|---|---|
| UBS | Strong UK wealth management presence, bespoke mortgage advice, Lombard lending and property finance options | High-net-worth UK and international clients with significant investable assets |
| Julius Baer | Private banking, Lombard lending and real estate finance expertise | International wealthy clients, entrepreneurs and investors requiring bespoke credit |
| Lombard Odier | Long-established Swiss private bank with Lombard lending and wealth structuring experience | Ultra-high-net-worth clients, entrepreneurs, family wealth and investment-led borrowers |
| EFG | International private bank with UK presence and wealth management services | International clients, private banking clients and investors with cross-border needs |
| Pictet | Swiss wealth management group known for private banking and investment management | Very wealthy clients focused on investment management and long-term wealth planning |
| Vontobel / Mirabaud / other Swiss private banks | May be relevant for clients with existing relationships or significant portfolios | Relationship-led lending for wealthy clients, usually assessed on a case-by-case basis |
In practice, Swiss banks often work best where the client already has, or is willing to build, a private banking relationship. They may not want a one-off mortgage client who simply wants the cheapest fixed rate.
What criteria do Swiss private banks use?
Swiss private banks do not usually publish simple mortgage criteria in the same way as UK high-street lenders. Their lending decisions are bespoke and relationship-led.
They typically assess:
| Criteria area | What the bank may look at |
|---|---|
| Investable assets | Many private banks expect substantial liquid assets, often in the millions, either already held or transferred to the bank. |
| Loan size | Private bank mortgages are usually more relevant for larger loans, often £1 million-plus and frequently £2 million-plus. |
| Property value | Prime London homes, high-value apartments and large residential properties are often more suitable than smaller mainstream purchases. |
| Loan-to-value | The lower the LTV, the easier the case. Higher LTV borrowing may be possible if supported by assets under management or Lombard security. |
| Income | Salary, bonus, dividends, carried interest, partnership income, business profits, investment income and trust distributions may all be considered. |
| Assets under management | Some banks may require the borrower to move cash or investments to the bank. |
| Residency | UK residents, non-UK residents, expats and international buyers may be considered, but tax and regulatory position matters. |
| Currency | Some banks can assess foreign currency income or assets, but exchange-rate risk will be reviewed. |
| Repayment strategy | Interest-only is often possible, but the bank needs a credible repayment plan. |
| Property use | Main residence, second home, investment property or mixed-use arrangements will be treated differently. |
| Legal structure | Personal name, company, trust or offshore structures may be considered but require more due diligence. |
Do Swiss banks accept Lombard loans?
Yes, many Swiss private banks offer Lombard loans, but the exact availability depends on the client, the assets being pledged and the regulatory position.
A Lombard loan is borrowing secured against a portfolio of liquid investments, such as shares, bonds, funds or other bankable assets. The borrower keeps the investments in place and uses them as collateral for a credit facility.
For London property purchases, a Lombard loan may be used to fund the deposit or reduce the mortgage loan-to-value to access a more competitive priced fixed or tracker rate. It could also be used to bridge a timing gap before a bonus, business sale or liquidity event. Also, avoid selling investments and triggering tax or market timing issues, and support a cash purchase. It may be a good option to combine investment-backed borrowing with a traditional mortgage, and this can be attractive for wealthy buyers who do not want to liquidate a portfolio.
If investment markets fall, the bank may ask for more collateral, reduce the facility, require partial repayment or force asset sales. This is why Lombard lending is usually best suited to clients with diversified liquid assets, strong liquidity and a clear repayment strategy.
Can Lombard lending help clients buy London property?
Yes, but it needs careful structuring. For example, a client buying a £5 million London property might use a £2.5 million mortgage secured against the property and a Lombard facility secured against an investment portfolio. Also, cash for the balance and interest-only payments to preserve liquidity.
This structure can work well where the client has substantial assets but does not want to sell investments. It may also help where standard UK affordability calculations do not reflect the client’s true wealth.
However, Lombard lending should not be used simply to over-borrow. The borrower must understand the risks of portfolio volatility, margin calls, interest-rate changes and currency movements.
Is a Swiss bank better than HSBC, Barclays or Santander?
Not always. A Swiss bank may be better where the borrower is very wealthy, has complex global assets, wants Lombard lending, or needs a highly bespoke private banking structure.
A UK bank such as HSBC, Barclays or Santander may be better where the borrower has a strong UK income, wants a more straightforward mortgage, wants access to competitive fixed rates, or does not want to move investments to a private bank. More UK lenders will accept applications for buyer-paid loans in foreign currencies, such as the Dollar, Euro and Swiss Franc, often when they work for large companies or multinational firms.
Swiss private bank vs UK high-stree.t/private bank
| Type of lender | Best for | Possible drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss private bank | Wealthy clients with large portfolios, complex income, international assets, Lombard lending needs or bespoke structuring | May require assets under management, higher relationship thresholds, bespoke pricing and more due diligence |
| HSBC Private Bank / Premier | Large UK and international mortgages, high-value loans, strong professional income, private banking or Premier clients | Criteria still needs to fit HSBC policy and affordability rules |
| Barclays Private Bank / Premier | HNW and UHNW clients, large UK property loans, international clients, family offices and trusts | Private bank access generally requires significant investable assets |
| Santander Private Banking | HNW clients needing priority borrowing, bespoke mortgages and structured finance | Less suitable for very complex global wealth than some private banks |
| Standard high-street banks | Straightforward employed or self-employed borrowers wanting competitive rates | Less flexibility for complex income, assets, foreign currency or bespoke structures |
| Building societies and specialist lenders | Non-standard properties, unusual income, older borrowers or complex cases | Rates may be higher and loan sizes may be lower |
When is a standard UK lender better?
A standard or mainstream private banking lender may be better if the client has a clear UK income and applications fit normal affordability rules. The borrower wants the cheapest fixed or tracker rate, or the mortgage is below £2 million, and the property is straightforward. The client does not want investment management, and the borrower does not want to pledge assets. Also, speed and simplicity are more important than bespoke structuring.
For many high earners, HSBC, Barclays, Santander, NatWest, Halifax or Nationwide can be more cost-effective than a Swiss bank. Some UK lenders now offer generous income multiples, large loan teams and high-value mortgage options without requiring a full private banking relationship.
What documents do banks usually request?
Private banks often ask for more information than a standard mortgage lender. Typical requirements include:
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Passport and proof of address
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Details of UK residency and tax position and income evidence
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Bonus, dividend or partnership income history
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Business accounts, if self-employed or entrepreneurial
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Investment portfolio statements
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Bank statements, assets and liabilities schedule
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Details of existing borrowing
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Source of wealth and source of funds evidence
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Property details and valuation. Repayment strategy for interest-only lending
Comment from Aaron Strutt, Trinity Financial:
“Swiss private banks can be very useful for wealthy clients buying London property, particularly when they have significant investment portfolios, complex income or international assets. The ability to combine a mortgage with Lombard lending can give some clients much more flexibility than a standard mortgage.
“That said, Swiss banks are not always the best option. Many clients are better off using a UK lender such as HSBC, Barclays or Santander if they have a high income and fit standard affordability rules. The pricing can be sharper, the application process may be simpler, and there may be no need to move investments.”
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The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. It is for general information purposes and is not advice.
Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage
UBS, Julius Baer and Lombard Odier are among the best-known Swiss private banks that may be relevant for wealthy clients buying London property. EFG, Pictet and other Swiss banks may also be suitable depending on the client’s assets and relationship.
UBS, Julius Baer and Lombard Odier are among the best-known Swiss private banks that may be relevant for wealthy clients buying London property. EFG, Pictet and other Swiss banks may also be suitable depending on the client’s assets and relationship.
Some Swiss private banks and wealth managers can support UK property finance, although it may be offered through UK-regulated entities, partner banks or bespoke credit teams. The structure depends on the client and the property. There is likely to be a minimum mortgage size, and some lenders may prefer if the client buys in London and the south east.
At Trinity Financial, we constantly monitor the £1 million+ mortgage market. Click here to view our £1 million mortgage table, which highlights the pick of the large loan rates.
https://www.trinityfinancialgroup.co.uk/mortgage-tools/million-pound-mortgage-best-buys/
A broker, such as Trinity Financial, can compare Swiss and UK private banks, high-street lenders, and specialist lenders to determine which route is most suitable.
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