" Interest in our commercial pilot programme has been immense, and it is clear that brokers are looking for better alternatives to those that have been available on the market"
- Danny Waters - Enra Specialist Finance
Following a successful pilot with a select group of brokers, West One has made its commercial mortgage offering available across England and Wales.
The product range includes rates from 6.69% for semi-commercial properties and 7.44% for commercial properties. Loan-to-value (LTV) is available up to 75% of the Vacant Possession Market Value, with loan sizes up to £3 million as standard.
The pilot programme allowed West One to assess the suitability of its initial offering for commercial borrowers. It generated hundreds of enquiries and a strong conversion rate, demonstrating alignment with investor needs.
Throughout the pilot, West One committed to responding to all communication within 24–48 hours. Duncan Abraham, regional director at West One, noted that speed and service are central to the lender’s approach. Rapid responses contributed not only to a positive broker experience but also to quicker average completion times.
A key feature of West One’s commercial mortgage proposition is that lending is based on Vacant Possession Market Value rather than the standard 180-day figure commonly used in commercial lending. Borrowers will not be credit-scored; each case is assessed individually. Flexible lending criteria mean first-time landlords, borrowers with minor credit issues, foreign nationals, expats, and applicants with complex income can all be considered.
“The results of the pilot clearly demonstrate the appetite for flexible and practical commercial mortgage solutions," said Duncan Abraham, regional director at West One. "We’ve listened to brokers and investors and designed our product to meet their needs with speed and clarity. The full launch marks a significant milestone, and I look forward to supporting our broker clients as we provide new opportunities within the commercial property sector.”
Danny Waters, CEO of Enra Specialist Finance, West One’s parent company (pictured), added: “With the addition of commercial mortgages to our range of products, West One is entering a new phase of growth. Interest in our commercial pilot programme has been immense, and it is clear that brokers are looking for better alternatives to those that have been available on the market. West One is looking to fill that gap with a unique proposition that will set us apart in the industry while contributing to strong revenue generation through the loans we originate.”
