Frequently asked questions
Whether it’s discovering more about our levels of lending, or learning about important things like debt service cover, you’ll find all the info you need below.
Table of contents:
Search our FAQs
About us
Who can I speak to about a Commercial Mortgage?
We have a designated Regional Business Development Management team who can discuss any new enquiries with you.
Alternatively you can contact us on 0333 399 0060 or email businesssupport@atombank.co.uk Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and one of our TBDMs will be able to help.
Is your proposition right for me and my client?
Why not check out our lending criteria to see if we’re the right fit.
Who owns Atom?
Atom is a privately owned company with a group of investors at the helm. Without our investors, we couldn’t have created a better way of banking for your clients.
Why should I use Atom?
Why not? After all, we’ve completely reimagined and revamped the intermediary experience and customer journey, and we’ve done this specifically with you in mind. In fact, by really getting to know and understand what intermediaries need, we’ve been able to create our systems around you, which in turn will make your role as straightforward as possible. From removing any unnecessary duplication of information requests, to simplifying the process, we aim to provide quicker lending decisions and reduce the overall timeline from request to drawdown, and that can only be good news for you.
Where are you based?
We’re based in Durham in the North East of England, but our team have come together from all over the world. We’re building a bank with a pounding heart and plenty of soul.
Are you a real bank?
100%. There’s no smoke and mirrors here. We’re building something that people have been wanting for years. It’s about time banking changed, and we’re hoping to lead the way.
How it works
How can I obtain a quote on a new enquiry?
For property investment deals, register on the portal, and use our quick quote tool.
For Trading deals contact the Intermediary Support Team on 0333 399 0060 or email businesssupport@atombank.co.uk Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and one of our TBDMs will be able to help. Alternatively your RBDM will be able to assist you.
How do I register?
Is your firm on panel? If yes, click on the link below that will take you to the registration page of our portal.
If your firm is not already on panel, you can contact us on 0333 399 0060 or email businesssupport@atombank.co.uk Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and one of our TBDMs will be able to help.
What documents do I need to provide when submitting an application?
This all depends on the type of application. As part of the application submission on the portal, you will be provided with a list of documents you need to upload. Ensure these are included with your application before you click submit.
You can also refer to our documents page to help you.
How will my client access their loan details?
They’ll receive an annual statement, or if they require an update prior to that, they simply request one and we’ll happily send it to them.
How does my client lodge a complaint?
We hope that’s never the case, but if they need to get something off their chest, they can get in touch by email or over the phone.
Who does my client contact with queries?
In the first instance they should contact our call centre 0333 399 0050, who’ll endeavour to answer their query. If they’re unable to, the query will be passed over to the Business Banking Support Team, who’ll take over things and reply accordingly.
Who do I contact if I have a query?
That depends on your query. If it relates to your panel membership then, in the first instance, please contact your dedicated Business Development Manager. If your query is case related, please contact our Business Banking Support Team, who will be able to help and may also involve one of our Underwriters too. Over time though you’ll build a relationship with the Support Team and our Underwriters - we’re keen to make sure you know them as well as your BDM.
What happens if my customer’s application is declined?
In line with current regulation, we’ll retain your customers accounting data for 7 years as it’s been used to make a lending decision. However as we only have one time access to their data, we’ll not be able to view any new information that’s added to your customer’s accountancy package beyond this.
Our loans
Do you offer terms supported by government guarantee schemes?
Yes, we have previously supported CBILS and RLS 1, 2 and 3 schemes.
How much will you lend?
Your clients could potentially borrow anything from £100,000* to £10 million* as a single loan.
*minimum and maximum loan amounts may vary depending on product/scheme
What repayment profiles do you offer?
Capital and Interest, and Interest only* with amortisation profiles up to 25 years.
*subject to LTV
What's your maximum loan to value?
We’re happy to accept a LTV up to 75% (not including goodwill on some healthcare businesses). To discuss a case in more detail please call your National Account Manager or our Intermediary Support Team.
What length of terms do you offer?
We offer deals ranging from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 25 years.
Open accounting
What if my customer doesn’t want to integrate their accountancy software?
That’s fine, they can still submit their accounts manually. However, going forward it may be that we ask all new customers to integrate their accountancy package as part of the application process. So, if possible, it’s important to try and understand why they don’t want to integrate their accountancy package. Do they think it’s unsafe? Are they unsure of the benefits? If they need reassurance regarding the way we protect their data, or on the benefits of using Codat, we’re happy to help provide that.
How can I reassure my customer that their data is safe?
We’ll only use your customer’s information as required to support the provision and servicing of their loan. By connecting their accounting software, their data is protected via robust bank grade security protocols. Your customer’s data is encrypted in transit using SSL and at rest using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-25) technology.
What data from the accountancy package will Atom use?
We’ll review the business financial and management data from your customer’s accountancy package. This includes, but is not limited to: Accounts, Cash flow statements, Invoices, Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss statements.
How do Atom access the business data?
For online and cloud based accounting packages, we access the customers data via the official Application Programming Interface (API) of your customer’s accounting package. Once logged in, they’ll be prompted to grant consent for their provider to securely share their accounting information with Atom.
For locally installed accountancy packages, including Sage 50 and QuickBooks Desktop, they’ll be required to download a software connector to their computer. This must be the same computer where their accountancy package is installed. This will run a one time synchronisation and the customer controls this access, which means we never see their accounting package login credentials.
What does Atom do with the data?
The data received from the customer’s accountancy package is used to help us make more accurate, faster lending decisions on our secured loans. It can also be used to help us carry out our annual account reviews. This will take place either by an underwriter manually assessing the data, or by feeding the data provided by Codat into our decision engine, to get a quick, automated decision on the application.
How long does Atom retain the data?
Regulatory requirements dictate that we retain customer information for 7 years following the closure of your customer’s account. If your customer asks us to revoke their consent, we’ll retain the data already provided for us to access for 7 years, however we’ll not be able to access any new data going forward.
Can my customer revoke your access to their data?
We’ll only access your customer’s data on a one-off basis, either at the point of making a lending decision, or when carrying out an annual review of their account. When integrating their accountancy package, they’re providing us with consent to access their accountancy data.
There are two ways your customer can revoke access to their data:
- They can log in to their accountancy package and withdraw their consent;
- Or they can contact us by emailing customersupport@atombank.co.uk with their request and we’ll revoke their consent within 30 days.
Where necessary, we’ll retain data in line with our Privacy Policy.
Which accounting packages do you support?
- Clearbooks
- Dynamics 365 Business Central
- Exact Online
- FreeAgent
- Kashflow
- Pandle
- QuickBooks Desktop
- QuickBooks Online
- Sage 50
- Sage Business Cloud Accounting
- Sage 200cloud
- Wave
- Xero
- Zoho Books
If your customer’s accounting package isn’t on this list, they’ll need to provide their accounts manually.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If your unable to find the information you’re looking for, please contact us directly.
Get in touch