Mortgage Soup fires the questions at George Chipperfield, lending director at LHV Bank.

Mortgage Soup (MS): What does your role at LHV Bank entail?

George Chipperfield (GC): As the lending director, my role involves directly supporting clients and firms across the UK. I work closely with brokers and clients to deliver tailored financing solutions, whether it’s a commercial mortgage, a specialist buy-to-let loan, or a commercial investment loan. My main focus is ensuring that we provide a seamless and transparent lending experience—from the initial enquiry to the release of funds. I’m also heavily involved in guiding our team through complex cases, ensuring that brokers and their clients receive swift, expert decisions.

MS: What sets LHV Bank apart in the market?

GC: There are a few key things that differentiate LHV Bank. First, our people-first approach—we have experienced, agile, and responsive local teams who understand the nuances of the market and work closely with brokers to deliver personalised solutions. Secondly, we’re fast. Our decision-making process is backed by technology, but it’s always guided by industry experts. This means we can offer bespoke financing quickly without sacrificing quality.

Another major USP is our transparency. We’re committed to eliminating hidden fees and providing clear, upfront pricing. Brokers know exactly what they’re getting with us, which enhances their relationship with clients. We’re also proud of our flexible underwriting process. We manually assess each case, which allows us to take a more tailored view on risk and create solutions that work for even the trickiest of cases.

MS: What types of clients and projects do you work with?

GC: We specialise in providing commercial mortgages, investment loans, and specialist buy-to-let loans ranging from £0.5m to £15m. Our clients include property investors, SMEs looking to expand, and landlords with diverse portfolios. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in demand for semi-commercial properties and high-value buy-to-let portfolios. We’ve also supported some unique projects like business acquisitions and complex property restructures.
A lot of brokers are coming to us with clients looking to refinance existing debt as rates become more competitive.

MS: How do you support brokers?

GC: Our approach is all about making the broker’s life easier. From day one, we guide them through the process, offering fast indicative terms once we have the key financials and property details. Once a broker accepts our terms, our experienced team steps in to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Because we manually underwrite all cases, we’re able to provide a personal touch and find solutions that might be overlooked by more rigid lenders.

We’re also big on communication. We keep brokers informed at every stage, so there are no surprises, and they can confidently update their clients. Whether it’s a first-time investor or an experienced property developer, we ensure that brokers have all the tools they need to deliver a great experience.

MS: Are there any trends or opportunities in SME lending that brokers should be aware of?

GC: Absolutely. One key trend we’re seeing is the growing appetite among SMEs to invest in expansion, driven by renewed market confidence and easing inflation. With interest rates expected to gradually fall, SMEs are looking for funding to support growth, whether that’s through acquiring new premises, refurbishing existing properties, or refinancing to improve cash flow. Additionally, there’s a rise in demand for more flexible lending solutions—SMEs are looking for lenders who can tailor products to their unique circumstances, and brokers who can present these options will be well-positioned to succeed. The refinancing market, in particular, is a huge opportunity, with billions in loans coming up for renewal over the next 12 months.

MS: What’s the most unique property deal you’ve been involved in?

GC: One of the quirkiest deals I handled involved incorporating a 300+ property portfolio into 30 separate companies. It was incredibly complex, requiring the redemption of 200 loans and coordination with four legal firms. We had to manage multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, and a high degree of regulatory compliance. Deals like that are what make this job so interesting—every day brings something new!

MS: What’s your outlook for the UK SME lending market over the next 12 months?

GC: The outlook for the UK SME lending market looks promising, especially as economic stability improves and inflation continues to ease. I expect to see growing demand from SMEs for financing to support business expansion, asset acquisition, and working capital. With interest rates gradually stabilising, more businesses will gain the confidence to invest in long-term growth.

There’s also likely to be an uptick in refinancing, particularly given the significant volume of existing loans coming up for renewal. Many SMEs delayed seeking finance during periods of uncertainty, but with a more predictable rate environment, they’re likely to return to the market. Additionally, government-backed initiatives and sector-specific reliefs, such as those for retail, hospitality, and manufacturing, will create new lending opportunities.

For brokers, this means increased appetite for both traditional lending and more flexible solutions, such as asset-backed finance and bespoke commercial mortgages. Those who can navigate this environment and offer creative, tailored options will be well-positioned to help SMEs thrive in 2025.

MS: What’s next for LHV Bank in 2025?

GC: Growth, but with a measured approach. We’re expanding our network of brokers and aiming to increase our lending volume across the UK. At the same time, we’re focused on maintaining our high service standards—speed, transparency, and expert decision-making will remain at the heart of everything we do.

We’re also looking at opportunities to develop more products, particularly in the specialist lending space. Whether it’s buy-to-let loans for expats or commercial loans for SMEs, our goal is to continue providing innovative, tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of brokers and their clients.