Together vs Shawbrook: Secured Lending Compared
Together vs Shawbrook compared for secured and property-backed business lending: loan sizes, terms, speed, eligibility and who each suits. Impartial UK guide.
The short version
- Together is a specialist non-bank lender (founded 1974, Cheadle) that leans on flexible, case-by-case underwriting for property-backed and complex situations, including bridging, auction and second charge.
- Shawbrook is a specialist bank (founded 2011) with structured lending across commercial mortgages, property investment, asset finance and business term loans.
- Together often wins on speed and appetite for unusual cases; Shawbrook often wins on larger, longer-term structured facilities and a banking relationship.
- Both lend against property and both go up into the millions, so the right choice depends on your security, timescale and how clean the story is.
- Cost is personalised for both, so confirm current rates and fees directly, or let Greenwood compare the wider market against your specific situation.
Together and Shawbrook both sit in the specialist end of UK lending, where deals are underwritten on their merits rather than pushed through a rigid tick-box. That is exactly why business owners, landlords and property investors end up weighing the two against each other.
They are not identical, though. Together is a long-established non-bank lender known for flexible, property-secured finance and fast bridging. Shawbrook is a specialist bank, so it funds through deposits and tends to structure larger, longer facilities. This guide sets out how they compare and where each tends to be the stronger fit.
Compare them at a glance
Both lenders overlap heavily on property-backed finance, but they approach it differently: Together prioritises flexibility and turnaround, while Shawbrook prioritises structured, relationship-led facilities. The dashboard below compares non-price factors only, so always confirm live figures with the lender.
The two lenders in detail
Together
Together is a specialist non-bank lender based in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, that has operated since 1974. It focuses on property-secured finance, including bridging loans, auction finance, second charge loans, buy-to-let and residential mortgages, commercial mortgages and development finance. Its reputation is built on individual underwriting, so it will often look at cases that mainstream lenders decline, such as unusual properties, complex income or a time-critical purchase.
Strengths
- Strong appetite for complex, non-standard and time-sensitive cases.
- Fast turnaround on bridging and auction finance where paperwork is ready.
- Wide product range secured against residential, commercial and mixed-use property.
- Second charge options that let you borrow without disturbing an existing first charge.
Watch-outs
- As a specialist lender, pricing can sit above mainstream bank rates, so compare total cost.
- Most lending is property-secured, so it is less suited to purely unsecured needs.
- Bridging is short-term and needs a clear, credible exit (refinance or sale).
- Fees and terms vary by loan-to-value and profile, so read the full offer carefully.
Shawbrook
Shawbrook is a specialist UK bank launched in 2011 that lends across business finance, property investment and development, commercial mortgages and asset finance, alongside its savings business. Because it is a deposit-funded bank, it tends to structure larger, longer facilities and takes a considered, relationship-led approach to underwriting. It is a common choice for portfolio landlords, established SMEs and investors who want a structured facility rather than a short-term bridge.
Strengths
- Well suited to larger, longer-term structured facilities and commercial mortgages.
- Broad property investment range, including buy-to-let and portfolio lending.
- Asset finance and business term lending under one roof.
- Bank-grade processes and relationship management for established borrowers.
Watch-outs
- More structured underwriting can mean a longer path to completion than a fast bridge.
- Appetite for very unusual or thin-file cases may be narrower than a flexible specialist.
- Larger facilities can carry more documentation and covenant requirements.
- Rates and fees are personalised, so confirm the current terms for your profile.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Together | Shawbrook |
|---|---|---|
| Lender type | Specialist non-bank lender (since 1974) | Specialist bank (since 2011) |
| Core products | Bridging, auction, second charge, buy-to-let, residential and commercial mortgages, development finance | Commercial mortgages, property investment and development, asset finance, business term loans |
| Typical loan amounts | Around £26k up to £2.5m and beyond on suitable security | Around £25k up to £3m and beyond on suitable security |
| Security | Predominantly property-secured (residential, commercial, mixed-use) | Property, business assets and equipment depending on product |
| Repayment style | Interest-only bridging (short term) through to amortising or interest-only mortgages | Amortising term loans, interest-only options and structured commercial facilities |
| Typical speed | Fast for bridging and auction where paperwork is ready; days rather than weeks in strong cases | Considered and structured; days to a few weeks depending on the facility |
| Eligibility lean | Flexible, case-by-case, open to complex or non-standard situations | Structured, favours established borrowers and clear serviceability |
| Best for | Time-critical, complex or short-term property-backed needs | Larger, longer-term structured property and business facilities |
Cost is personalised for both lenders and driven by factors such as loan-to-value, the quality of the security, the term and your overall profile. We have deliberately not quoted rates or fees here because they change and they differ case by case. Treat any cost comparison as directional only, and confirm the current figures directly with the lender before you decide.
Where Together tends to win
Together tends to have the edge when speed, flexibility or complexity matter most. If you are buying at auction with a tight completion deadline, need a short-term bridge to break a chain or unlock capital quickly, or have a situation that a mainstream bank finds awkward (an unusual property, mixed use, complex income or a rush timescale), Together’s individual underwriting and appetite for non-standard cases often carry the day. Its second charge options are also useful when you want to raise funds against equity without disturbing a well-priced first charge mortgage. The trade-off is that specialist, fast money is priced accordingly, and short-term facilities need a credible exit, so the value comes from getting a deal done that might otherwise stall.
Where Shawbrook tends to win
Shawbrook tends to have the edge when you want a larger, longer-term and more structured facility, and when a banking relationship adds value. Established SMEs, portfolio landlords and property investors who can demonstrate clear serviceability often find Shawbrook a natural fit for commercial mortgages, buy-to-let portfolios and development lending, as well as asset finance and business term loans under one roof. As a deposit-funded bank, it is well set up for facilities that run for years rather than months, and its structured approach can suit borrowers who value certainty and a considered process over the fastest possible turnaround. The trade-off is that more structure can mean more documentation and a longer path to completion than a rapid bridge.
Who each lender suits
Together tends to fit if…
- → You need funds quickly, for example an auction purchase or a chain break.
- → Your case is complex or non-standard and needs individual underwriting.
- → You want a short-term bridge with a clear exit (sale or refinance).
- → You want to raise capital via a second charge without touching your first charge.
Shawbrook tends to fit if…
- → You want a larger, longer-term structured facility or commercial mortgage.
- → You are a portfolio landlord or established SME with clear serviceability.
- → You value a banking relationship and a considered, structured process.
- → You need asset finance or business term lending alongside property finance.
How Greenwood helps you choose
Greenwood Capital is a Manchester-based, whole-of-market finance broker specialising in secured business loans. Rather than applying to Together and Shawbrook separately and hoping one fits, you tell us your situation once and we compare suitable lenders across the market, including these two, to see which routes match your security, timescale and goals. We explain the trade-offs in plain English and help you weigh speed against cost and structure, so you can make an informed decision. This is general, educational help to narrow the field, not financial advice, and the choice always remains yours.
The verdict
Neither lender is universally better, because they are built for different jobs. Together is often the stronger option when speed, flexibility and complex or short-term property-backed cases are the priority, while Shawbrook is often the stronger option for larger, longer-term structured facilities and borrowers who value a banking relationship. The right answer depends on your specific security, timescale and profile, and because cost is personalised, the only way to know is to compare live terms side by side. That is exactly where a whole-of-market comparison earns its keep.
Sources
- Together product and eligibility pages covering bridging, auction finance, second charge, buy-to-let, residential and commercial mortgages and development finance.
- Together corporate information on company history and specialist non-bank lending approach.
- Shawbrook Bank product pages covering commercial mortgages, property investment and development, asset finance and business lending.
- Shawbrook corporate information on its status as a specialist deposit-funded bank and its lending approach.
- General UK secured lending and bridging finance reference material on terms, security and exit requirements.