InterBay loosens commercial lending rules
InterBay updated six commercial lending criteria to boost flexibility — raising loan‑to‑value and easing lease restrictions — a sign lenders are adjusting underwriting to support borrowers through volatility. The move illustrates how some lenders are trading stricter covenants for expanded origination capacity. (propertyreporter.co.uk)
InterBay’s March 19, 2026 criteria refresh allows lending up to 75% of market value while capping loans at 85% of vacant possession value, and requires valuers to confirm a maximum 12-month letting/sale window and to use an opinion of market rent. (propertyreporter.co.uk) (propertyreporter.co.uk) Semi‑commercial pricing thresholds were changed so properties with a residential split above 50% (previously 55%) now attract lower semi‑commercial pricing, widening eligibility for borderline mixed‑use assets. (propertyreporter.co.uk) (propertyreporter.co.uk) InterBay removed minimum lease‑period requirements where a property is income‑producing at origination, scrapped the 60‑month lease‑overhang rule at loan expiry, and will now consider multi‑unit assets with vacant units provided existing rent covers the vacancies while accepting non‑structural works. (bridgingandcommercial.co.uk) (bridgingandcommercial.co.uk) The lender eliminated the two‑year sector experience rule for first‑time commercial landlords and framed the six‑point update as the product of broker consultation, according to head of commercial lending Marc Callaghan in the announcement dated March 19, 2026. (propertyreporter.co.uk) (propertyreporter.co.uk) InterBay, part of OSB Group, has been pursuing origination growth elsewhere too — in July 2025 it cut selected commercial rates (around 20 basis points) and lowered minimum loan sizes from £150,000 to £125,000, indicating a broader push to expand deal flow. (mortgagesolutions.co.uk) (mortgagesolutions.co.uk) Looser covenants and faster decision windows increase demand for automated underwriting and valuation workflows; Solifi’s Document Intelligence claims up to a 70% reduction in document verification time and its Originations module automates quoting, credit decisioning and documentation for equipment and auto lenders. (solifi.com) (solifi.com) Real‑world Solifi deployments show capacity to absorb higher origination volumes: Kawasaki Motors Finance migrated 1,700 dealers and 53,000 loans onto Solifi’s wholesale/floorplan platform, and Centennial Bank deployed Solifi’s CALMS Compass floorplan solution in under four months. (autofinancenews.net) (autofinancenews.net)
