The firm says it is harnessing technology to make Lombard lending more accessible to a wealth management client base.

Firenze, a UK fintech that says it is redefining Lombard lending, has partnered with wealth manager W1M to integrate access to portfolio-backed lending.

The partnership provides access to an additional borrowing solution for eligible W1M clients who may want to borrow against their investment assets. All lending is subject to eligibility, underwriting and credit approval.

“The Firenze platform is becoming increasingly integrated into the W1M operating model, demonstrating what is possible when working with technology-first wealth managers,” David Newman, CEO, Firenze, said. 

The result gives Firenze a relationship with a wealth manager that has £28.7 billion ($38.9 billion) in assets under management. W1M works with high net worth, ultra-HNW individuals, charities, institutions and advisors.

Michael Allen, chief operations officer, W1M, said: “Our clients may, from time to time, have borrowing requirements alongside their investment and wealth management needs. Through our partnership with Firenze, eligible clients will have access to a portfolio-backed lending solution that can sit alongside their existing arrangements with W1M.”

This partnership has been enabled through SEI’s custody and wealth platform capabilities. 

Firenze, founded by David Newman (whom WealthBriefing interviewed here), has raised about £10 million of equity from investors such as AlbionVC and Outward VC. It says it is “rapidly becoming the default Lombard lending solution for the UK wealth market.” Among other moves, in February 2025, Firenze partnered with Monument Bank, the UK’s first challenger bank dedicated to the mass-affluent segment. In August it partnered with AJ Bell Investcentre to give advisors on the platform access to Lombard lending for eligible clients. In July 2025, it entered a strategic partnership with Söderberg & Partners Wealth Management, the UK arm of Söderberg & Partners, a Swedish advisory firm. Newman has told this news service that Firenze adopts a “very conservative” loan-to-value policy, capping LTVs at 50 per cent. 

W1M was formed in 2024 through the merger of Waverton Investment Management Group and London and Capital Group.