For decades, the UK’s residential mortgage market has been dominated by a handful of high-street banks like Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC, and Nationwide.
While these institutions offer competitive rates and a wide range of mortgage products, their strict lending criteria and often lengthy approval processes can create barriers for many borrowers, especially those with irregular incomes, self-employed status, or more complex financial situations.
Which is why real estate finance and investment platform TAB’s staggering £500 million investment is such exciting news.
The London-based property finance platform, founded in 2018, is now preparing to expand beyond specialist lending and straight into the mainstream UK mortgage market, offering new options for those who have struggled to fit the traditional lending mould.
The investment comes from funds managed by AB CarVal, a global alternative investment manager with approximately $17 billion in assets under management.
The deal marks a significant moment for TAB, which has built its reputation on bridging loans and short-term finance for property developers and investors who typically fall outside the remit of traditional banks.
With the new funding secured, TAB is rolling out a full range of lending products under its new brands, TAB Mortgage and TAB Bridge.
The platform’s goal is to offer quicker decisions, greater transparency, and a streamlined, tech-driven experience for both brokers and borrowers. The company is also preparing to launch Core Plus, a product tailored to creditworthy customers who fall just outside the rigid requirements of traditional high-street lenders.
‘This is a transformational moment,’ says Duncan Kreeger, TAB’s founder and CEO. ‘CarVal’s backing is not just about capital – it’s a validation of the platform we’ve built and our vision for the future. We’re not here to follow the market; we’re here to reshape it.’
In just 7 years TAB has lent more than £600 million and is on track to push past £700 million for 2025.
Central to that growth is the company’s investment in technology, particularly AI, which streamlines underwriting and enhances risk assessment. By focusing on tech innovation, TAB are credited with delivering faster turnaround times while maintaining accuracy and risk controls.
‘TAB’s focus on product and technology innovation within a strong risk framework is differentiated and continues to meet strong market demand,’ says Robert Sinclair, Managing Director at AB CarVal.
The deal was put together with the support of advisory firm Interpath and Jack Dutton, who leads their Financial Services Debt and Capital Advisory team, commented: ‘This facility provides TAB with the platform to continue growing its bridging and commercial mortgage products, further strengthening its position in the market.’
As the mortgage market gradually modernises, TAB’s entry into the mainstream could offer a real alternative for borrowers, bringing speed, flexibility, and a more tech-driven approach to a space still dominated by slow-moving high-street banks. Watch this space…
