, 84% of parents help their adult children buy property, making the "Bank of Mum and Dad"

. However, if you are planning to help your children with the purchase of their first property, you should know in advance what benefits and consequences this

How the Bank of Mum and Dad reshaped the British economy

It was believed that many young people find it challenging to pay the cash deposit due to the rising cost of living, 

, and the high cost of real estate. However, a 

 Bank of Family Report shows that financial support from family members is expected to help fund nearly half of home purchases from buyers under the age of 55 this year. In the report, it is estimated that financial aid from families will support 318,400 UK property purchases by 2023, up from 225,400 in 2019.

Even adults in their 20s or 30s are seeking help from their families. Additionally, individuals who are 55 years old and purchasing their first home are also requesting financial aid from their parents. 

Another recent report from Legal and General reveals that the “Bank of Mum and Dad” now contributes to 26% of funds to the UK housing market, with parents giving the amount for that first payment as either a gift (57%), a no-interest loan (18.3%) or one with interest (4.8%) 

The Bank of Family

The bank of mum and dad grew to prominence in the last decade, particularly due to the difficulties the current generation has to save large amounts of money compared to that of their parents. Sure enough, the “baby boomer” generation has done very well, having become a very wealthy generation due not only to profits from things like the defined 

 salary scheme and house price increases in the past decades, for instance, but also from working hard and living frugally 

Wealth and welfare across generations

It is important to keep in mind that the current life expectancy in the UK is 80.9 years, meaning that the children of someone who passes after 80 are probably around 55, which is also the average age of inheritance according to the 

. At the same time, while one study from the ONS showed that adults in the UK expect to receive an inheritance of £132,000, the current average inheritance in the UK is around £11,000. Since many may need financial help before the inheritance age or may require a larger sum, considering gifting part of the inheritance earlier might be a great way to give them the support they need, and also avoid some 

There are several different ways in which parents can help, so it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each and take steps to avoid any misunderstandings that could cause family rifts.

The simplest and most common way for parents to help their children to buy a home is to give them the deposit money as a gift. The offspring can then arrange a mortgage knowing that the deposit is in place.

However, one of the most common issues that crop up when helping children out with their deposit is whether the money was in fact a gift or a loan. A gifted deposit must come with no obligation to repay the money. Misunderstandings over money can cause irreparable harm within a family, so it’s essential to communicate at every stage of the process, and wherever possible, to put the terms of any agreement in writing 

How intra-generational transfers disrupt inter-generational strategies

Be aware of inheritance tax rules on gifts

To avoid paying inheritance tax, make sure you understand the 

 implications of giving money to your children. There are strict limits to the amount of money you can give away as gifts to your inheritors, as making gifts reduces the potential inheritance tax due on your estate 

How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances

The IHT applies not only to cash but also to other assets, like cars and wedding gifts, so inform yourself about the limitations and the rules before deciding how you want to execute that gift.

As a rule, large sums of money gifted to a beneficiary takes seven years before it falls outside of your taxable estate. In other words, should you die within seven years of gifting the deposit, the gift could still be subject to inheritance tax, which your child will have to pay. This is just another good reason why you should keep written records of when the gift was made (so that 

 can determine when the seven-year clock begins), and that your financial adviser or 

For those parents who feel uncomfortable with making a gift that won’t ever be repaid, lending the money is the second most popular option. Once again, it’s important to be very clear about the assistance that the “bank of mum and dad” is prepared to give. 

If you’re offering a loan, you should clearly set out the loan repayment schedule, the repayment amounts, and the interest rate (if any) you expect your child to pay on top of the loan.

Of course, you can always choose to ‘write off’ the loan at a later date, or arrange for the loan amount to be deducted from their inheritance.

Traditional mortgage brokers don’t really like the idea of potential customers borrowing money to fund their deposits, even if it is coming from the bank of mum and dad. From their perspective, this parental support should be considered as a loan on the mortgage application.

Some lenders won’t accept a mortgage application if it shows the borrower owes a large sum to their parents that needs to be repaid on top of their mortgage repayments. Those mortgage lenders that do allow borrowers to have other loans on their application may offer a smaller mortgage amount or higher borrowing costs. 

So, it is important that you factor all of these issues in before drawing up a loan agreement for your child to sign.

If neither of these options sounds appealing, or if you don’t have spare cash for a deposit, you might consider being named as the guarantor or co-signer on your adult child’s mortgage. This guarantee helps borrowers who may not have enough money to buy a property. They can borrow up to 100% of the property's value.

But signing on as mortgage guarantor is a big step, as should the buyer default on their mortgage repayments, you would be required to step in and, in the worst-case scenario, your own home would be at risk.

Another option for parents to explore is to apply for a joint mortgage on the property alongside their offspring. This is often used as a way to help children buy a more expensive property than they could afford on their own, as their parents’ earnings will also be taken into account by the lender when assessing affordability.

However, this is usually only an option where the parents are still working and earning a regular income. New mortgage rules may prevent some older parents from being able to get another mortgage. If the home is considered a second property, there may also be stamp duty implications.

Finally, parents also need to bear in mind that being named on a joint mortgage could affect their credit score, and affect their ability to get credit in the future, especially if their adult child has a poor credit history.

The need for the bank of mum and dad isn’t going away any time soon. Offering financial assistance to your children can be an invaluable way of helping to set your children up for the future. But if you’re prepared to become a banking facility, you should make sure you do it as professionally as possible.

Like a bank keeping financial records, you should keep important documents to resolve disputes with your family or HMRC. This ensures that you are clear about your intentions and that everyone knows where they stand.

Before you make any promises to your children, we suggest you talk to an experienced and qualified professional to make sure raiding pensions and cash savings don’t leave you struggling to meet your own financial needs in the future. A financial adviser will be able to guide you through all these options, helping you choose the best one for you and your family. 

 – Around 1 in 4 first-time buyers now rely on parental funding, showing how the Bank of Mum and Dad shapes UK property purchases.

 – Gifting deposits remains the most straightforward route, but proper documentation is essential to manage inheritance tax and avoid disputes.

 – Lending money to children should involve written agreements to clarify repayment terms and safeguard both sides.

 – Acting as a guarantor can boost borrowing power, but parents risk liability if children default on repayments.

 – Joint mortgages increase affordability but may trigger higher stamp duty, affect credit profiles, and restrict future borrowing.

 – Financial and wealth management guidance ensures support strategies balance children’s needs with parents’ long-term wealth protection.

Helping children to buy property

Financial wellbeing means different things to different people, but without it, you’ll spend more time worrying and less time focusing on the things that matter.


Mental wellbeing has become a major trend in recent years, and it’s really not hard to see why. You don’t need us to tell you that we live in ‘unprecedented’ and highly uncertain times that can take a toll on anyone. Fortunately, people now recognise the importance of mental wellbeing and practising self-care during times of stress. And, thankfully, there’s now much less of a stigma attached to talking about mental health, and greater support available for people to get help with their mental wellbeing, should they need it.


But what about financial wellbeing? Well, in our view, it should be viewed as equally important, and something that everyone should care about. After all, our financial wellbeing has a major influence on our overall state of mind, and can also seriously impact our mental health 

Global mental health crisis hits workplaces

People might think that feeling anxious or concerned about your finances only applies to those who are in debt, have a low income or are worried about losing their job. But that’s simply not the case. Just as anyone can experience times when their mental health is low, everyone can sometimes feel in need of a bit of support when it comes to their financial wellbeing 

Money worries and mental health

That’s because, in our experience, financial wellbeing is rarely just about how much money you earn or how much you’ve accumulated. It’s about how you feel. We would define financial wellbeing as this:


Feeling in control of your financial present, and planning for a financially secure (and enjoyable) financial future.


For many people, their uncomfortable relationship with money starts when they are young, but those habits (good or bad) tend to stay with us as we get older. We all know people who seem to always be living beyond their means, just as we know people who are comfortably well-off but also hate spending a penny if they can avoid it.

We would also place into this category those people who put off making financial decisions (and miss out as a result), or those who don’t want to take any 

 with their money, and as a result leave their wealth languishing in non-interest paying savings accounts, where their money is losing its value. Whatever the situation, breaking out of these bad habits is not only the best way to achieve financial wellbeing, it’s the only way 

Understanding consumer financial wellbeing through banking data

So, how can you achieve financial wellbeing?

There are two key elements to financial wellbeing that everyone should focus on. The first is taking control of their financial present, and the second involves planning for their financial future.

Behavioural research suggests that people who take charge of their financial present tend to experience more positive feelings about their overall financial wellbeing. And there are lots of different ways that you can take control back over your finances. For example:

Creating a plan that allows you to reduce or eliminate any ‘bad debts’ that you have, such as credit cards, store cards or personal loans.

Using that money to start investing regularly. The amount is less important than getting into the habit of setting aside a regular amount, and there are a lot of positives to be taken from investing wisely and one day reaching your goal 

Financial Lives cost of living (Jan 2024) recontact survey - Summary

If you have loved ones who depend on you for their income, consider taking out insurance policies (such as life insurance, critical illness cover or accident, sickness and unemployment insurance) that can help protect what you have and allow you to sleep easier at night.

A wealth manager can help to put you in control of your financial present, but preparing for an uncertain future matters even more. Here’s where working with a wealth manager can really help you make great strides on the path towards financial wellbeing. Of course, a wealth manager is not going to be able to help with complex emotional issues, that’s not their job. But they can help you to think about your finances in a non-emotional way, making it easier for you to make clear decisions that will benefit you in the long run.

One of the best things about finding a wealth manager is that you’ll be taking control of your financial destiny and getting someone else to take care of the worrying for you. They won’t just help you to focus on your immediate needs, they will also help you to make plans for the future as well.

, the first thing to do is to make sure that your finances are best placed to help you feel comfortable about whatever the future brings. This can include managing your investments, to help you achieve the best return for the risk you’re prepared to take, putting in place plans for your retirement as well as offering any more specialist services that you might need, for example, such as tax and estate planning, and specific insurance products to cover any circumstances that would make life difficult 

Household total wealth in Great Britain: April 2020 to March 2022

The best wealth management firms know that making people feel reassured about their wealth and financial circumstances is just as valuable as focusing on the money itself. After many years of working with top wealth managers, including time spent running a wealth management business, our experience is that people who talk to a wealth manager or a financial adviser feel more positive about their financial future as a result.

We’d go so far as to say that talking to a wealth manager is the best step you could take towards achieving financial wellbeing. And the sooner you have that conversation, the more likely that together you will be able to put a plan in place that ensures you achieve the financial future that you want.

Peace of mind is one thing that money can’t buy. But with the right wealth manager to guide you, financial wellbeing is definitely something you can find for yourself. If you’re ready for us to introduce you to a wealth manager who can put your mind at rest, why not get started today?

Financial wellbeing means control and confidence

, not just income, covering how secure you feel about your money now and in the future.

, such as high-interest debt, overspending, or leaving wealth in low-yield accounts.

 includes cutting debt, building an emergency fund, and protecting your family with insurance.

, through investment management, pension planning, tax efficiency, and estate strategies.

Wealth managers enhance financial wellbeing

, offering expert, impartial advice to optimise assets and reduce financial stress.

Strong financial wellbeing supports overall wellbeing

, linking smart financial planning with peace of mind and better life outcomes.

Are you looking after your financial wellbeing?

interchangeably, there are several differences when it comes to choosing the right service that better fits your financial goals. In this article, we help you determine which one is the right one for your portfolio.

The meaning of private banking and wealth management services

The differences in services, with pros and cons of both

While many of us typically turn to a bank to look for advice on how to proceed with our finances, there are specialised solutions for clients whose demands require tailored services. For those who have more than six figures to invest, a more detailed approach to their financial needs is available namely, 

 and private banking. The terms often overlap since many private banks also offer their clients wealth management services, and some 

 can provide loan facilities through their relationships with banks. Even though they share some similarities, their offers are designed for different kinds of clients or financial goals 

https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmgsites/uk/pdf/2025/05/uk-private-banking-and-wealth-management.pdf?

Private banking usually entails various retail banking services typically reserved for high-net-worth (HNW) or ultra-high-net-worth clients (UHNW). Normally, prospective clients will be expected to satisfy certain criteria, including investable assets of more than £1m, a significant level of borrowing (i.e., £1.5 – £2m for 

 loans) and/or significant salary deposits.

The service includes all the features of a regular bank, however, given that it is an exclusive offering, customers are provided with specialist private bankers who act as their relationship manager coordinating their requirements. They also benefit from complex lending services offered at favourable interest rates and exclusive credit cards. For instance, ‘Lombard’ lending is available enabling clients to borrow against their investment portfolio (it will need to be invested through the bank’s wealth management service, also known as ‘assets under management’) and using other collateral, such as prime London property. Clients can also use the bank’s wealth management services including discretionary investment management and financial advice.

The private bank aims to provide high net-worth clients with an exclusive one-stop shop albeit at a reassuring price 

European private banking: Resilient models for uncertain times

Wealth management firms are experts in financial advice, planning services and investment management. A wealth manager can develop a plan that is exclusively yours incorporating all aspects of your financial affairs, including your investment assets, 

 planning, protection alongside any property assets, business interests and company shares you own 

Wealth management firms and private banks

In respect of your assets, they can then proactively manage your cash-based 

 profile reporting the performance of your portfolio to you regularly.

Depending on the firm, wealth managers offer various levels of investment services including Execute Only, Advisory and Discretionary Portfolio Management.

Execute Only is, as it sounds, a facility that enables the investor to choose their investments and make trades. The second service level, Advisory, is where the investment manager seeks the authorisation of the investor prior to buying assets. Last but not least, Discretionary Portfolio Management is where investors provide the investment manager with a mandate to manage their portfolio on their behalf. Some sophisticated and enthusiastic investors like to choose the former services, but many others choose to benefit from the full expertise of the investment team by choosing Discretionary, placing their belief in the investment manager and their team of analysts to develop and manage their portfolio successfully for them. Fees are usually charged as a percentage of invested assets.

In short, a wealth manager will be a guiding hand for you and your finances helping you to establish and then achieve your goals.

Is private banking or wealth management the right option for me?

Private banking services are designed to offer HNW/UHNW clients an exclusive relationship with the bank drawing upon multiple services which might include wealth management but not exclusively. It is not designed specifically to offer financial advice or investment management. To illustrate this further, some banks have successful stand-alone wealth management businesses that serve both private banking clients and non-private banking clients. 

In conclusion, if you wish to have all your assets and banking services in one place, and can satisfy their opening criteria, you should consider private banking 

. Also, if you simply wish to have an exclusive banking relationship, choose private banking. However, if you are looking for expert investment management and 

 and you don’t need to combine banking, you should consider a wealth manager. Your relationship with a wealth manager is focused purely around your investment portfolio and your financial planning needs, they can offer you access to advanced strategies and investment opportunities to make the best out of your financial resources.

Are private banks still worth it?

 Private banking caters to tailored banking services (loans, deposits, concierge banking), while wealth management centres on investment strategies, financial planning, and wealth growth.

 Wealth management provides holistic guidance, tax planning, estate design, risk management, where private banking typically limits input to products or credit.

 Private banking often requires high account minimums or net worth; wealth management firms may offer tiered access depending on client complexity.

 Wealth management commonly blends advisory and investment fees into one transparent model; private banking separates banking and investment costs.

 Wealth managers integrate legal, tax, estate frameworks for cohesive wealth protection; private banking’s role is more transactional by contrast.

 Opt for private banking if you value premier banking access; choose wealth management when you need a unified strategy for asset growth, structure, and legacy.

Private banking or wealth management?

Managing director at Compare Wealth Managers.

Rory Scott

Bio

Articles from author

Helping children to buy property

Are you looking after your financial wellbeing?

Private banking or wealth management?

Start your journey to your
Financial well-being

FIND OUT MORE

LEGAL

CONTACT US

Rory Scott

Bio

Articles from author

Helping children to buy property

Are you looking after your financial wellbeing?

Private banking or wealth management?

Start your journey to your Financial well-being

FIND OUT MORE

LEGAL

CONTACT US

Start your journey to your
Financial well-being