Cohort Capital has completed a £20 million loan facility secured against a residential property in Mayfair, refinancing a private bank facility for an existing client within a three-week timeframe.
The borrower, a property investor with holdings across the UK and Europe, required replacement funding at short notice after their private bank withdrew the existing facility. The investor has maintained a three-year relationship with Cohort and holds £10 million in lending with the firm on other prime residential properties.
Property details
The loan is secured against a Grade II listed house in Mayfair Village, valued at approximately £56 million. The property extends over 21,200 square feet and includes 11 bedrooms, a swimming pool, and private outdoor spaces. The house recently completed extensive refurbishment work and currently stands vacant with no rental income.
The loan-to-value ratio stands at 36%, reflecting the single-asset nature of the security. Cohort’s assessment considered the borrower’s net worth, existing relationship, and investment track record despite the absence of rental income.
Private bank refinancing trend
Matt Thame, founder of Cohort Capital, stated: “We can move quickly because of how we’re structured – streamlined decision-making, no institutional constraints, and a practical, common-sense approach to underwriting. In this case, we completed a £20 million facility in just three weeks.”
Thame noted that the firm is “increasingly seeing clients who need to refinance loans held with private banks due to assets under management (AUM) requirements.” Where traditional banks require borrowers to maintain significant investment balances alongside property lending, Cohort structures loans based on property value and borrower credentials without additional AUM conditions.
Market context
The transaction reflects movement among high-net-worth borrowers away from private banking structures that link lending to investment portfolios. Property-backed lenders are filling demand for finance based on asset quality and borrower circumstances, particularly for properties in transition or generating no immediate income.
Cohort handled the approval process through its internal investment committee, allowing completion within three weeks from initial enquiry. The deal adds to the firm’s activity in London’s prime residential market, where borrowers frequently require rapid certainty on refinancing arrangements.