Samantha Dunne, Banking Director with Hampden Bank explains how the Bank can create bespoke mortgage solutions for people with unconventional careers.

For most first-time buyers, purchasing a luxury multi-million-pound property with a high loan-to-value rate would be impossible on many levels. But private banking is never about applying a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to complex financial situations.

When a sportsperson at the beginning of what promises to be an exceptional career set their sights on a luxury property, it quickly became clear that a standard mortgage approach would not work.

What followed was a highly tailored lending solution that demonstrates the value of true relationship banking, underwriting with real flexibility and our wish to truly understand our client’s circumstances beyond the headline figures.

A young athlete with big ambitions

For most lenders, a loan-to-value ratio significantly above typical levels, particularly for someone at the start of a career, would immediately raise concerns. Traditional lending models are designed around predictability and long-term certainty. Elite sport offers neither.

But private banking is about being able to work differently for our clients.

Rather than focusing purely on the standard affordability metrics, we took time to understand the broader picture. Future earning potential and their strong family support network all formed part of our assessment.

In view of the client’s age and strong future earning potential, we were able to consider a higher level of borrowing than we would typically support. While this was an exceptional case, we were comfortable adapting our standard criteria to reflect expected income trajectory.

One of our first priorities was understanding the detail of the contract and the necessary protections they had put in place.

We worked closely with the client’s professional team, including contract lawyers and insurers, to validate income and confirm key contractual terms as part of our affordability assessment. Given the sensitivities involved, this was managed with a high degree of discretion throughout.

Just as important, we needed reassurance that the appropriate insurance arrangements were in place in case an injury or unforeseen circumstance should have an impact on their career.

For people in sport, entertainment or media, income can be substantial, but careers are often short and unpredictable, so proper financial protection is very important.

Structuring a bespoke mortgage solution

Once we had assessed the contract details and risk protections, it was time to structure a highly bespoke and tailored lending arrangement.

The solution involved a very high loan-to-value interest-only mortgage combined with scheduled lump-sum capital repayments.

This achieved two important objectives.

Firstly, it allowed them to purchase the property immediately without the need for a larger upfront deposit.

Secondly, it ensured that by the end of their contract period, the mortgage balance would reduce, leaving them with a healthier level of equity and far greater long-term flexibility.

If they later moved to a new city or chose to rent out or sell the property, they would be in a far stronger financial position.

This kind of bespoke mortgage structuring is often where private banks can offer real value. Rather than forcing clients into rigid products, the emphasis is on creating lending solutions that reflect real-life circumstances, future plans and evolving or specialised careers.

Why private banking matters for clients with unconventional careers

This case may be a little unusual in its scale, but not in the type of challenges involved.

Many professionals today have careers that do not fit neatly into banking models. Sportspeople, actors, TV presenters, musicians, entrepreneurs, influencers and those working in the creative industries often experience fluctuating incomes, short-term contracts and rapid changes in circumstance.

Standard lenders can struggle with that complexity.

Private banking is about taking a much more individual approach – assessing not just a client’s current earnings, but their long-term potential, support structures, future plans and overall financial management.

For professional athletes in particular, careful financial planning is critical. Sporting careers can be lucrative, but they are often short-lived. Injury and contract changes can all alter circumstances very quickly. So, specialist advice and flexible banking matter.

A relationship built on understanding

While other institutions were reportedly willing to consider the loan if substantial investment assets were transferred alongside it, our arrangement was based solely on the client’s borrowing needs and being able to structure a bespoke mortgage around the client’s circumstances and needs.

Of course, we can make introductions to wealth managers and professional advisers where it is appropriate. But our relationship begins with a straightforward principle: finding the right banking solution for our client.

And while arranging mortgages for multimillion-pound homes may not happen every day, creating tailored lending solutions for complex and unconventional situations certainly does.

In modern private banking, the most important numbers are not always the ones on the application form. Usually, understanding the person behind the figures matters far more.