Cambridge & Counties Bank – business banking analysis and reviews

Last updated on 10 August 2023

Cambridge & Counties Bank is a business best known for its personal savings accounts, but also acts offers a range of commercial mortgages, as well as a handful of asset finance products – but does it have good reviews?

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Traditional loans are not available, and asset or vehicle finance products are a little limited, so Cambridge & Counties Bank is really only worthy of consideration if your business requires financial assistance in the realm of property – whether that is accruing a new building to work from, expanding a portfolio, or securing borrowing against an existing property asset.

Video: Business loans and finance explained

Cambridge & Counties Bank business loans and finance

Pros and cons of Cambridge & Counties Bank for business finance 

ProsCons
Wide range of commercial mortgage products No business loans available, only second charge mortgages
Asset finance is available for sectors likeliest to require this assistance May only agree to work with you through a broker, which means more fees
FSCS protected as this is a bank Very few online reviews
Cambridge & Counties Bank pros and cons
Cambridge and Counties Bank account login

Commercial mortgages

Property finance is the primary business funding offering of Cambridge & Counties Bank, with the following first- and second-charge mortgage products available:

Commercial investment

Borrow anything from £250,000 and £15,000,000 to take out a mortgage on a commercial property you plan to lease to another business. Maximum mortgage available will be 70% of the property value. Repayment terms can be up to 25 years, and a personal guarantee will be required.

Commercial owner-occupier

If your business has been trading for at least 12 months, apply to borrow up to £15,000,000 for a commercial property that you plan to base your operation from, repayable for up to 25 years. You’ll need a minimum deposit of 30%. Personal guarantee may be required, depending on your circumstances.

VAT loans

Borrow against a property to pay a VAT bill, with the full debt due within five months. You will be able to borrow a total value of 90% of your property’s equity.

Mixed use loans

Take out a secured loan between £250,000 and £15,000,000 against your property, repayable for up to 25 years. Maximum loan value will be 70% of the equity held in the property.

Refurbishment loans

Borrow between £250,000 and £2,000,000 to complete refurbishment works on properties owned by your business and rented to paying tenants. Loan will be capped at 65% of the equity in the property and due for repayment within nine months.

Bridging loans

Borrow up to 60% of the equity in a property to plug a gap in your finances, with the full sum repayable within 24 months. This loan is typically used to purchase a new property or lay down a deposit while you are waiting for another to complete a sale.

Secure pension loans

Borrow up to 70% of a commercial property’s value against your pension fund. This is literally a case of mortgaging your future, so approach this product with caution.

Asset finance 

Cambridge & Counties Bank offers asset finance solutions to the construction and agricultural industries, as well as general machinery for a business. The asset finance products available through Cambridge & Counties Bank can take one of three forms:

Hire purchase

Borrow 100% of the cost of an asset (up to £1,500,000), and repay Cambridge & Counties Bank for up to seven years. Once the repayments are complete, pay a small fee to take ownership of the asset outright. 

Finance lease

Borrow a maximum of 97.5% of the cost of an asset (up to £1,500,000), and lease it from Cambridge & Counties Bank for up to five years. At the end of this lease, you can renew and start again, or return the asset to Cambridge & Counties Bank. 

Equity release

Release equity found in assets that your business already owns. You will need to contact Cambridge & Counties Bank to discuss your options if this approach interests you. 

Business vehicle finance

While Cambridge & Counties Bank offers vehicle finance, this is primarily for personal customers, specialising in rare and classic car finance. You may be eligible to borrow funds for an electric company car, but for more specialist services, see our guide to business vehicle finance

Business loans

Cambridge & Counties Bank does not offer traditional, lump sum business finance, only second charge mortgages. See business loans

Merchant cash advance

Not available through Cambridge & Counties Bank. See merchant cash advance.

Invoice finance

Not available through Cambridge & Counties Bank. See invoice factoring.

Business credit cards

Not available through Cambridge & Counties Bank. See best business credit cards

Cambridge & Counties Bank key information

Phone number0116 402 9194
App downloadsN/A
Websitewww.ccbank.co.uk
Number of branchesN/A
FSCS protected?Yes
Founded2012
Key information

Cambridge & Counties Bank reviews

Review platformScoreNumber of votes
TrustPilot3.2/53
FeefoNot reviewedN/A
Reviews.ioNot reviewedN/A
Smart Money PeopleNot reviewedN/A
Which?Not reviewedN/A
Average score3.2/53
Cambridge & Counties Bank reviews and ratings

Business eligibility criteria

Cambridge & Counties Bank assesses each application for funding on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, lending will only be considered for “experienced businesses,” though Cambridge & Counties Bank does not specify exactly what this means. 

Business finance alternatives

If you are looking for a commercial mortgage, pair up with a broker to find out if there are any better alternatives to Cambridge & Counties Bank. Most of this lender’s business comes from brokers anyway. Alternatively, seek a financier that offers greater flexibility on asset finance – Cambridge & Counties Bank does not work with every industry.

Additional considerations

Despite the name, Cambridge & Counties Bank is based in Leicester, so geography does not need to be a stumbling block for anybody considering funding from this provider. 

FAQ

How do I apply for finance from Cambridge & Counties Bank?

Get in touch with Cambridge & Counties Bank by calling 0116 402 9194 and starting an initial consultation on your needs, and whether this lender will be able to meet them.

Does Cambridge & Counties Bank offer any unsecured lending?

While most of the funding offered by Cambridge & Counties Bank involves security against an asset, some mortgage applications may be considered without a personal guarantee.

How much can I borrow from Cambridge & Counties Bank?

Cambridge & Counties Bank typically offers funding between £250,000 and £15,000,000, though some products have a lower ceiling. If you are securing against an asset, your available funding will depend on how much equity your asset has.

What interest rate will Cambridge & Counties Bank assign to my lending?

This will be assigned upon a successful application for a commercial mortgage or asset finance package from Cambridge & Counties Bank, based on a range of factors.

Are there any hidden fees when borrowing from Cambridge & Counties Bank?

You may find that you need to team with a mortgage broker to borrow from Cambridge & Counties Bank, which will potentially lead to additional fees. Ensure you fully understand how much you are looking to repay before committing to any financial agreement.

Can I get a general business loan from Cambridge & Counties Bank?

The closest this lender comes to generic SME loans is a mixed use loan secured against a property that you own. This will be a second charge mortgage, with the funds you receive able to be redirected throughout your business, but it’s not a straightforward loan.

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Reviewed by , Managing Director

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