Hampshire Trust Bank Inland Waterway Rates

Hampshire Trust Bank - Inland Waterway Commercial Finance Overview

Hampshire Trust Bank is one of the specialist lenders on the Doulton Bridging Finance panel for inland waterway commercial craft finance. Their secured structures are designed for commercial operators running working narrowboats, hotel boats, day trip vessels, hire fleets, and cargo barges on the UK canal and river network.

For October 2026, Hampshire Trust Bank is offering rates from 7.5–12.5% on inland waterway commercial craft, with facilities from £100k–£1.5m, maximum LTV of 75%, and terms up to 8yr. These rates are indicative and subject to underwriting - contact Doulton Bridging Finance for a personalised illustration.

As a specialist broker, we work with Hampshire Trust Bank and the rest of our panel to present your case in the best possible light, handle the application process, and negotiate on rate and structure where there is flexibility. We do not charge borrower fees - our remuneration comes from the lender on completion.

Hampshire Trust Bank Inland Waterway Finance Rates - October 2026

Product	Rate	Loan Amount	Max LTV	Max Term
Secured	7.5–12.5%	£100k–£1.5m	75%	8yr

Rates correct October 2026. Indicative only - final rate subject to credit and underwriting assessment. Representative examples available on request.

Strengths of Hampshire Trust Bank for Inland Waterway Finance

Highest maximum facility in our inland waterway panel at £1.5m - suitable for major fleet acquisitions
Up to 75% LTV alongside long 8-year terms provides maximum capital and cashflow flexibility
Strong appetite for hotel boats and large commercial canal vessels where other lenders step back
Relationship-based underwriting that values business proposition and borrower experience alongside financials

Limitations to Consider

Minimum £100k - not suitable for smaller single-vessel purchases
More detailed underwriting process means longer decision timelines of 2–3 weeks
Requires detailed business plan and cashflow projections for all applications above £500k

Is Hampshire Trust Bank Right for My Inland Waterway Finance?

Best suited to established inland waterway businesses making significant acquisitions - large hotel boat purchases, hire fleet expansions, or cargo barge acquisitions in the £100k–£1.5m range. Hampshire Trust's relationship approach suits operators with a compelling business case who can support it with strong evidence.

If you're unsure whether Hampshire Trust Bank is the right fit, speak to our team. We'll assess your specific situation and either confirm Hampshire Trust Bank as the best option, or point you toward another lender on our panel who is better placed to help.

Compare All Inland Waterway Lenders

We work with six specialist lenders for inland waterway commercial craft finance. Before applying, it's worth comparing the full panel:

Or see our best inland waterway commercial finance rates comparison page.

Frequently asked questions

What size of inland waterway transaction does Hampshire Trust Bank typically finance?

Hampshire Trust operates above £100,000 minimum, with their sweet spot in the £150k–£750k range for inland waterway commercial craft. They have capacity up to £1.5m for fleet transactions or very high-value hotel boats and wide-beam vessels.

How does Hampshire Trust assess hotel boat businesses?

Hampshire Trust's specialist team reviews occupancy rates, average revenue per night, seasonal booking patterns, CRT licensing status, and BSS compliance alongside standard business financials. They take a holistic view of the business proposition rather than just relying on P&L accounts.

Will Hampshire Trust finance a fleet of canal hire boats?

Yes. Hampshire Trust is one of the strongest lenders for inland waterway hire fleet financing. They can structure a portfolio facility covering multiple vessels, with the ability to add or remove vessels from the security pool as the fleet evolves.

What term length does Hampshire Trust offer on commercial narrowboat finance?

Hampshire Trust offers up to 8-year terms on inland waterway commercial craft, which is one of the longest available in the market. Longer terms reduce monthly payments significantly and improve cashflow for seasonal businesses.

Does Hampshire Trust require a personal guarantee for inland waterway finance?

For limited company borrowers, Hampshire Trust will typically require personal guarantees from directors with meaningful net worth. The strength of the guarantee required reduces as the business's track record, profitability, and covenant strength increases.

Hampshire Trust Bank Inland Waterway Commercial Finance Rates October 2026