Cohort Capital has completed a £20m facility for a high-net-worth sponsor, refinancing a private bank loan secured against a Grade II listed property in Mayfair Village.
The deal was executed in just three weeks from initial enquiry to completion, with the lender stepping in after the borrower was asked to redeem an existing facility.
The transaction highlights growing demand from prime borrowers seeking standalone financing solutions, particularly where traditional lenders tie facilities to wider assets under management.
The property – a recently refurbished 11-bedroom house extending to more than 21,200 sq ft – is valued at approximately £56m.
VACANT ASSET
It includes leisure amenities such as a swimming pool, private terrace and garden areas. Despite the asset being vacant and producing no rental income, Cohort structured the loan at 36% LTV, taking what it described as a holistic view of the borrower’s net worth, track record and existing relationship.
The client, an experienced investor with a substantial portfolio across the UK and Europe, has worked with Cohort for three years and already holds £10m of lending with the firm across other prime residential assets.
STREAMLINED DECISION MAKING
Matt Thame (main picture, inset), Founder of Cohort Capital, says: “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. Our existing relationship with this borrower provided additional comfort, but the speed and certainty we delivered is how we approach every transaction.”
AUM REQUIREMENTS
And he adds: “We’re increasingly seeing clients who need to refinance loans held with private banks due to assets under management (AUM) requirements.
“Where banks require borrowers to pledge significant AUM alongside their lending, Cohort provides standalone financing based purely on the property and the borrower’s capability. We have no such requirements attached to our loan offers.”
