Lendco and Shawbrook both regularly handle large bridging facilities, but for different reasons: Lendco because of the complexity of the ownership structure, Shawbrook because of the scale of a cleaner commercial or semi-commercial deal.
Lendco and Shawbrook side by side
| Lendco | Shawbrook Bank | |
|---|---|---|
| Loan size | £100,000 to £5 million per asset | £100,000 to £25 million or more by referral |
| Corporate minimum | £500,000 for company, SPV, LLP or Trust borrowers | No separate corporate minimum stated |
| Residential LTV | 75% | 75% |
| Commercial LTV | 70% | 75% |
| Borrowers | SPVs, LLPs, Trusts, JVs, Channel Islands and Isle of Man entities; up to six applicants | Experienced investors and limited companies |
| Multi-unit blocks | No unit limit; aggregated valuation; £3 million at 65% or £2 million at 75% | Not a stated specialism |
| Refurbishment | Not a stated specialism | Day-one advances up to 90% |
| Term | 2 to 36 months | Up to 24 months by referral |
| Legal | Dual representation as standard | Standard |
What this means in practice
Lendco is built specifically for complex ownership, including SPVs, LLPs, Trusts, joint ventures and even Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man registered entities, and for large multi-unit freehold blocks with no restriction on unit count. Shawbrook is built for scale on more conventional ownership, with a strong published commercial LTV since its July 2026 increase to 75%.
Head-to-head
Ownership complexity
Lendco is the clear specialist, with up to six applicants and Trusts and offshore entities accepted as standard. The catch is a £500,000 minimum loan for corporate, SPV, LLP or Trust borrowers, which rules out smaller company cases.
Commercial leverage
Shawbrook leads at 75% against Lendco's 70% cap. On a large commercial deal, that difference can decide how much equity the borrower needs.
Multi-unit blocks
Lendco's willingness to consider an aggregated rather than single-investor valuation is a genuine structural advantage that a standard commercial lender, including Shawbrook, does not typically offer.
Process
Lendco offers same-day credit-backed terms, day-one underwriter access and dual legal representation as standard, which helps a structurally complicated case get an early answer. Shawbrook underwrites as a bank, which brings certainty of funds but is not built for sub-two-week completions.
Term
Lendco's terms run from 2 to 36 months, longer than most bridging lenders, which can help on a larger scheme with a longer exit. Shawbrook offers up to 24 months by referral.
Which lender fits which case
A family trust buying a block of flats, where a standard lender would value the units individually, is a natural Lendco case: the trust is accepted as standard and the aggregated valuation can produce a better outcome.
An experienced investor company buying a large commercial building on conventional ownership, with clean credit and a need for maximum leverage, points towards Shawbrook and its 75% commercial LTV.
A small SPV borrowing well under £500,000 cannot use Lendco at all. Shawbrook's £100,000 minimum may work, and our guide to company structures for bridging loans covers the wider options.
Which to choose
Choose Lendco where the ownership structure itself is the complexity: a Trust, an offshore entity, or a large multi-unit block needing aggregated valuation. Choose Shawbrook where the ownership is conventional but the deal is large and commercial, and maximum leverage on a cleaner case matters more than structural flexibility.
When neither is the best fit
For adverse credit or a very tight deadline, neither is ideal; MT Finance and Together are built for those cases. For re-bridging or near-prime credit on a larger deal, United Trust Bank is worth considering. For facilities above Lendco's per-asset limit on conventional ownership, West One Loans lends up to £30 million. The full Lendco review and Shawbrook review cover both in more depth.
Preparing a large or structured case
Large and structurally complex cases both depend on paperwork. For a company, Trust or offshore entity, expect to provide incorporation or trust documents and identification for the directors, shareholders, trustees or members behind it. For a large commercial deal, tenancy and lease details, evidence of the borrower's experience and a tested exit plan all matter. Getting these ready before the application helps early terms hold through underwriting, whichever lender is chosen.
Questions worth asking before you choose
- Who is the borrower: an individual, a company, a Trust or an offshore entity?
- Does a corporate loan clear Lendco's £500,000 minimum?
- Is the security commercial, and does the extra 5% LTV at Shawbrook matter?
- Is it a multi-unit block where an aggregated valuation would help?
- Does the exit need a term longer than 24 months?
Summary
Both lenders serve large or complex bridging cases, but the type of complexity, ownership structure or deal scale, determines the better fit. Figures above are correct as of July 2026 and should be confirmed with your broker before an application.
