Lombard (NatWest Group) - Indicative Rate Table (October 2026)
| Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Min Loan | Max Loan | Max LTV | Max Term | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Lease (new build) | 5.8–7.5% | £500,000 | No stated max | 80% | 12 yr | NatWest Group balance sheet - most competitive rates for large tickets |
| Loan (refinance/refit) | 6.5–9% | £500,000 | No stated max | 80% | 10 yr | Flexible drawdown available for staged new builds |
| Finance Lease (used vessel) | 7–10.5% | £500,000 | No stated max | 75% | 10 yr | Vessels must be post-2010 and in class/MCA coded |
Rates are indicative for October 2026 and subject to underwriting, vessel survey and credit assessment. Contact us for a personalised illustration.
About Lombard (NatWest Group) Fishing Vessel Finance
Lombard is the asset finance arm of NatWest Group and one of the largest asset lenders in the UK. In the commercial fishing sector, Lombard operates at the top end of the market - minimum transactions of £500,000, focused on newer vessels, established fishing businesses and new-build opportunities where their ability to structure staged drawdown facilities gives them a genuine advantage.
Lombard's rates are consistently among the lowest in the market for qualifying transactions, reflecting NatWest Group's cost of funds. For a well-coded 15m+ trawler purchased by an established fishing company with 5+ years' accounts, Lombard can deliver rates from 5.8% over up to 12 years - terms that materially reduce monthly repayments compared to mid-market alternatives.
The key qualification threshold is the £500,000 minimum. Below that, Lombard will not typically engage, and brokers are redirected to Close Brothers, Shawbrook or Hampshire Trust. Above it, Lombard's credit appetite for the UK commercial fishing sector in October 2026 is solid, particularly for vessels operating in quota-managed fisheries with demonstrable catch history.
Strengths
- Lowest indicative rates in the market for qualifying large tickets - from 5.8% on new vessels
- 12-year maximum term reduces monthly repayments significantly on high-value new builds
- NatWest Group balance sheet means capacity for multiple vessels or fleet transactions is effectively unlimited
- Staged drawdown available for new builds - payments match construction milestones rather than requiring full drawdown on signing
Limitations / Things to Know
- £500,000 minimum means smaller operators and inshore fleet owners are excluded entirely
- Strongly prefers post-2010 vessels in class - older vessels or those without full MCA coding will not be considered
- Relationship-driven lender: applications without an existing NatWest relationship or a strong broker recommendation can take significantly longer
Is Lombard (NatWest Group) Right for My Fishing Vessel?
Lombard is the optimal choice for large fishing vessel purchases of £500k+ where the vessel is relatively new, MCA coded and operated by a well-established business. For new builds, Lombard's staged drawdown capability is particularly valuable. If your ticket is below £500k, or the vessel is pre-2010, Lombard is unlikely to be the right lender and we would recommend Close Brothers, Hampshire Trust or Shawbrook instead.
Compare All Lenders
See how Lombard (NatWest Group) stacks up against all 14 lenders in our best rates comparison page, or return to the hub for an overview of all fishing vessel finance options.