Question 1

What is StreamBank?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank is a specialist UK bank focused on short-term property finance, particularly bridging loans and development finance. Regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), StreamBank serves property professionals, developers, homeowners, and SMEs across the United Kingdom.

The bank operates as a privately-owned public limited company with a focused business model centered on providing pragmatic lending solutions where specialist knowledge and underwriting expertise offer competitive advantages. StreamBank also offers savings products to retail customers, raising deposits through fixed-term bonds and notice accounts.

Question 2

When was StreamBank founded?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank PLC was incorporated on 14 May 2019 as ActivTrades Loans PLC. The company was originally established as the bridging loan division of ActivTrades, focusing on developing property finance expertise and infrastructure.

The company changed its name to StreamBank PLC on 19 July 2022, marking a strategic repositioning toward becoming a full-service specialist bank. After applying for a UK banking license in July 2021, StreamBank received authorization with restrictions and began building its regulatory framework, systems, and team. In February 2023, the bank obtained full banking authorization without restrictions from the PRA, enabling it to launch retail deposit products and expand its lending operations significantly.

Question 3

Where is StreamBank headquartered?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank is headquartered in Cardiff, Wales, at Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AG. The bank relocated to this larger, modern office space in January 2025 to support its growing workforce and operational expansion.

Cardiff serves as the primary operational hub, housing the majority of StreamBank's approximately 50 employees. The bank also maintains a presence in London, though Cardiff remains the center of its banking operations, credit assessment, customer service, and savings operations teams.

Question 4

Where does StreamBank operate?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank operates throughout the United Kingdom, providing lending and savings services across England, Wales, and Scotland. The bank serves customers nationwide through a network of broker and intermediary partnerships rather than maintaining branch locations.

For its property lending business, StreamBank offers financing on residential, commercial, and development properties located across all three countries. The bank's Business Development team provides national coverage, working closely with brokers in regional markets throughout the UK. Savings products are available to retail customers across the entire United Kingdom through the bank's online platform.

Question 5

What services does StreamBank offer?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank provides two main lines of business: short-term property lending and retail savings products.

Short-Term Property Lending: StreamBank specializes in bridging finance and development finance with loans ranging from £100,000 to £3 million. Products include residential bridging (both FCA-regulated and unregulated), commercial bridging, refurbishment finance (light and heavy projects), and development finance. Loan terms typically range from 3 to 18 months, with interest that can be rolled up until term end. The bank accepts first charges and combined first and second charges, offering up to 75% LTV for residential security.

Savings Products: StreamBank offers fixed-term bonds and notice accounts to retail customers, with competitive rates designed to attract longer-dated contractual deposits. The savings platform operates online with support from an experienced operations team. By March 2025, the bank held over £175 million in customer deposits.

Digital Services: StreamBank provides online account management for savers, desktop valuations and automated valuation tools for lending applications, and fast-track approval processes. The bank emphasizes rapid decision-making, typically within 48 hours of application, supported by direct access to underwriters and short reporting lines.

Question 6

What makes StreamBank unique?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank distinguishes itself through its combination of regulatory banking strength with the speed and flexibility typically associated with specialist lenders. As a fully regulated bank rather than a non-bank lender, StreamBank offers enhanced security through Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection while maintaining pragmatic, fast decision-making processes.

The bank's service proposition emphasizes straightforward, transparent communication and assigns a dedicated underwriter to every lending case. This approach enables practical decisions and rapid case progress, with some completions achieved within days for time-sensitive transactions like auction purchases.

StreamBank achieved profitability in its second full year of operations (February 2024), demonstrating sustainable growth in a challenging market. The bank was recognized as Highly Commended for Best Bridging Newcomer at the 2024 Bridging and Commercial Awards. StreamBank's culture focuses on being "honest, open, transparent" and "lean, straightforward, no-nonsense," while maintaining a customer-first approach throughout all operations.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is StreamBank?

Accepted Answer

StreamBank is a regulated specialist bank in the United Kingdom. As a Public Limited Company (PLC) authorized under the Standard Conditions regime, StreamBank holds full UK banking authorization from the Prudential Regulation Authority and is regulated by both the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority.

The bank is classified as a Small Domestic Deposit Taker (SDDT) as of January 2025, a regulatory category designed for smaller, non-systemic domestic banks that maintain strong capital and liquidity while operating with a simplified prudential framework. StreamBank is registered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, providing deposit protection for savers. The Bank of England has assigned StreamBank to the 'Modified Insolvency' category under the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD), reflecting its focused business model and domestic operations.

StreamBank

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About StreamBank in the United Kingdom