Asset Backed Lending Using Art and Classic Cars to Fund a London Property Purchase

Key Details:

• Client: UK-based collector
• Challenge: Raising liquidity for a London property purchase while preserving ownership of art and classic car collections
• Loan Structure: Combined art-backed and classic car-backed facilities
• Art Collection Value: Circa £1.6 million
• Art-Backed Facility: Circa £800,000 at approximately 50% loan-to-value, subject to lender criteria

An established UK-based collector approached Enness Global seeking liquidity to support the purchase of a London flat for family use. The client held substantial collections of art and classic cars and preferred to leverage these existing assets rather than secure borrowing directly against the property.

The transaction presented several structuring challenges. The artworks were divided between private display and professional storage, requiring coordination around valuation and lender security requirements. In addition, some of the classic cars were already subject to existing finance, meaning the associated facilities needed to be reviewed and restructured as part of the wider funding solution.

Enness Global introduced the client to specialist lenders able to consider both art and classic vehicles as security. The art collection was valued at approximately £1.6 million and supported a circa £800,000 facility at approximately 50% loan-to-value, subject to lender criteria. Works held in private display were transferred to approved storage where required to satisfy the lender's collateral arrangements.

Existing lending secured against the classic car collection was also reviewed and extended to provide additional funding alongside the art-backed facility. Combining the two forms of asset-backed lending created a broader liquidity solution without requiring the London property itself to be used as security.

The structure enabled the client to access funding against existing non-property assets while retaining ownership of the underlying collections. This case demonstrates how specialist asset-backed lending can provide alternative liquidity solutions for high-net-worth clients with valuable art, classic cars and other specialist assets where conventional property finance may not be the preferred structure.

Regulatory Notice

Asset-backed lending secured against specialist assets such as art collections or classic cars may fall outside UK FCA regulation. Regulatory treatment depends on the structure of the transaction, the purpose of the borrowing and the assets used as security.

Disclaimer

This case study is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax or investment advice. The client scenario has been anonymised and certain details have been generalised to protect confidentiality. Finance is subject to status, underwriting, asset suitability, valuation and lender criteria. Loan amounts, loan-to-value ratios, lending structures and outcomes are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Enness Global acts as a credit broker and not as a lender.

Risk Warning

Borrowing against assets carries risk. If the value of secured assets falls or repayment obligations are not met, additional security, partial repayment or the sale of pledged assets may be required. The loss of secured assets may result where borrowing obligations cannot be met.