International Private Finance

What International Private Finance does

International Private Finance (IPF) is a UK-headquartered specialist mortgage broker that arranges residential mortgages for non-resident buyers purchasing property overseas, with a primary focus on France and Spain and case-by-case coverage of Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, and Monaco. Founded in 2008 by Fiona Watts and operating from London (Covent Garden) and Paris (7 rue Galilée), the firm is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (reference 726230) and registered with ORIAS in France (21005407), and was the first international mortgage broker to obtain FCA regulation following the 2016 European Mortgage Directive.

The company operates an inside-sales model: prospective clients complete an online eligibility checker, receive a phone or video consultation with a CeMap-qualified bilingual consultant, and are then supported end-to-end by a dedicated consultant and assistant through submission, valuation, and completion. Underlying technology is a custom CRM and proprietary workflow systems developed in-house, supplemented by online tools (mortgage calculator, eligibility checker, best-buy rate tables) and an active content and PR programme. The firm's primary differentiator is its distribution position: direct relationships with 50+ international retail and private banks, dedicated underwriter contacts at the main lenders, a partner programme for estate agents, IFAs, and UK brokers, and a 17-year track record that supports a self-reported 97% mortgage approval rate versus an industry baseline.

IPF's revenue model combines an engagement fee of £250-£500, a success fee calculated as a percentage of the loan amount (payable on formal offer), third-party lender commission, and a sliding-scale partner referral commission. The customer base is highly fragmented across individual property buyers (ski chalets, holiday homes, primary residences, pied-à-terre), with 200+ published case studies, a 100% client recommendation rate, and no enterprise or single-customer concentration. The firm is privately held, founder-led, and has not raised external capital.

Name

International Private Finance

Legal name

International Private Finance Limited

Website

https://internationalprivatefinance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Private Finance is a UK-based FCA-regulated specialist mortgage broker that arranges overseas residential mortgages, primarily for non-resident buyers of property in France and Spain, leveraging a panel of 50+ international banks and bilingual CeMap-qualified consultants under a fee-plus-commission model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Mortgage Brokerage

NAICS

Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231)

SIC

Loan Brokers (6163), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Banking Cross-Border & International Wealth Services (FSABADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Banking Lending (Securities-Backed, Real Estate, Structured Credit) (FSABADAE), Offshore & International Private Banking (FSAAABAB)

Keywords

• International mortgage brokerage
• Overseas property financing
• Non-resident mortgage advisory
• French mortgage broker
• Spanish mortgage broker

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Mortgage Brokerage Fees: IPF charges fees for arranging international mortgages. Fees are split into two payments: (1) An engagement fee typically between £250-£500, payable when engaging services, non-refundable, paid by card or bank transfer; (2) A second fee based on a percentage of the loan amount, payable when formal mortgage offer is issued. The company also receives commission from third-party lenders and may pay commission to referrers/partners.
2. Partner Referral Commissions: IPF operates a referral commission scheme for partners (estate agents, property finders, IFAs, UK mortgage brokers) who refer clients that go on to complete mortgages. Commission percentage is based on a sliding scale according to volume of loans brokered for referred clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

International Private Finance is a specialist mortgage broker that arranges residential mortgages for non-resident buyers purchasing property overseas, primarily in France and Spain. The firm matches clients with lending products from a panel of 50+ international retail and private banks, manages the full mortgage application process through dedicated bilingual CeMap-qualified consultants, and liaises with notaires, estate agents, valuers and lenders from submission through to completion. On a case-by-case basis, IPF also secures finance in Italy, Switzerland, and Portugal for loans over €1M.

Product overview

International Private Finance operates as a specialist international mortgage brokerage offering two core services: French Mortgages and Spanish Mortgages. Both services provide non-residents with access to a panel of over 50 international retail and private banks across France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Monaco. The company differentiates through its bilingual CeMap-qualified consultants, custom CRM-driven client management, and dedicated underwriter relationships that enable 7-day mortgage approvals. Supporting tools include an online Mortgage Calculator, Eligibility Checker, and published Best Buy Rate Tables. The business also operates a Partner Programme for estate agents, IFAs, and mortgage brokers seeking to refer international property buyers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• French Mortgages Specialist mortgage brokerage service arranging residential mortgages for non-residents purchasing property in France. Provides access to over 50 international retail and private banks, with bilingual CeMap-qualified consultants managing the full application through to completion, including liaison with French notaires, estate agents, and lenders.
• Spanish Mortgages Specialist mortgage brokerage service arranging residential mortgages for non-residents purchasing property in Spain, providing access to Spanish retail banks with typical processing times of 4-6 weeks. Includes end-to-end support including NIE and documentation handling.
• Partner Programme Referral partnership programme targeting estate agents, property finders, IFAs, and UK mortgage brokers. Partners receive personalised tracking URLs, fast-tracked processing (mortgage approvals typically within 10 days for referred clients), and a sliding-scale commission based on completed mortgage volume.
• International Mortgages — Italy, Switzerland, Portugal On a case-by-case basis, IPF secures high-value mortgage finance (typically loans over €1M) for buyers seeking property in Italy, Switzerland, and Portugal. This extends the firm's specialist brokerage service beyond the core France/Spain markets into other European jurisdictions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of overseas mortgage applications are approved
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Estate Agents (France)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstate agents in France represent a key partner channel, referring clients to IPF for mortgage services. Partners benefit from fast-tracked service, 10-day mortgage approvals, and referral commissions. The arrangement allows agents to focus on property sales while IPF handles financing.
• UK Mortgage BrokerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK mortgage brokers partner with IPF to offer international mortgage services to their clients seeking property abroad. IPF provides the international expertise while brokers maintain client relationships. Commission scheme based on loan volume.
• Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIFAs refer clients seeking international property financing to IPF. Partners benefit from referral commissions and can offer comprehensive service to clients with international property ambitions.
• Property FinderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty finding professionals partner with IPF to ensure their clients can secure financing for properties they identify. Fast-tracked service and mortgage approvals within 10 days support property search activities.
• International Retail and Private Banks (France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Monaco)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPF works with over 50 international retail and private banks across their primary markets. These banking relationships are described as key to the business, with dedicated underwriters at main banks who prioritize IPF files. The depth of relationships allows access to exclusive or discounted products for clients.
• Developers (Portugal and other locations)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty developers are mentioned as partners, particularly for locations like Portugal where IPF assists with loans over €1M on a case-by-case basis.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Private Finance: UK-based whole-of-market mortgage broker with an international and expat mortgage desk arranging mortgages in Europe and beyond. Directly comparable to IPF in cross-border residential lending for non-residents, B2B partner referrals, and percentage-of-loan fee model.
• Hoxton Wealth: UK-regulated international wealth manager offering expat and overseas mortgages, FX and wealth structuring for clients buying property abroad. Comparable niche (UK-resident buyers financing European property) and advisor-led GTM motion similar to IPF.
• Blacktower Financial Management: International wealth advisory firm headquartered in the UK with offices across Europe arranging mortgages, pensions and investments for UK expatriates and non-resident property buyers. Overlaps with IPF on cross-border residential mortgage brokerage for UK/European clients.
• SPF Private Clients: Specialist UK mortgage broker focused on Portuguese and international property finance for UK and international buyers. Directly competes with IPF on cross-border European mortgages, with a similar referral/partner channel model.
• Blevins Franks: Long-established UK-based international financial advisory for expatriates and non-resident property owners across Europe, with mortgage, tax, FX and investment services. Closely mirrors IPF in serving HNW UK/EU cross-border residential property buyers through regulated intermediaries.
• Harrison George: Specialist broker arranging French and Spanish mortgages for UK and international buyers, with bilingual service and partner/introducer relationships. Head-to-head competitor to IPF in the same primary product (France/Spain non-resident mortgages).

Broad incumbents

• John Charcol: Long-established London-based specialist mortgage broker with a broad product set including international, expat, and high-value residential mortgages. Wider remit than IPF but materially overlapping on international/residential mortgage intermediation for affluent UK clients.
• Enness Global: UK-based high-net-worth mortgage and private finance broker arranging large residential and buy-to-let loans including for international and non-standard borrowers. Comparable in cross-border lending focus and in prioritising high-ticket borrowers, even if broader in product.
• Aldermore (international desk): UK challenger bank offering residential mortgages with products aimed at professionals and self-employed borrowers in the UK, sitting on IPF's lender panel partner side rather than competing as a broker. Indirect peer showing the scale of competitor lenders IPF must remain accessible to.

Emerging players

• Trade Finance Global (Property): Advisory-led broker connecting borrowers with international lenders for cross-border commercial and residential transactions. Partial overlap with IPF on the cross-border intermediation model, more focused on commercial and trade-tied finance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ipfmortgagenews
• Facebookfacebook.com/Internationalprivatefinance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-private-finance
• Instagraminstagram.com/ipfmortgagenews

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Private Finance