Bridging is busier than it has been for a while on the lender side. New names are arriving and existing ones are hiring. But the deals that complete smoothly have one thing in common: a clear, realistic plan for paying the loan back.
What's happening in the bridging market
Fewer completions, more competition. Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA) figures put Q2 2026 completions at £1.6 billion, down from £2.3 billion a year earlier (reported 14 October 2026). Yet the Interpath and BDLA Bridging Market Survey 2026 found 52% of lenders reported higher origination volumes.
New lenders are coming in. Paragon Bank has made two senior bridging hires ahead of a pilot with selected brokers in early 2027 and a wider launch later that year. Secure Trust Bank's Business Finance arm reported around £60 million of bridging deals in the first half of 2026, its first period since launching.
Bank Rate is on hold. The Bank of England kept Bank Rate at 3.75% in September. Its next decision is due on 5 November 2026.
Why your exit plan matters more than ever
A bridging loan is short-term finance, so every lender wants to know how and when it will be repaid. That "exit" is usually a sale or a refinance onto a longer-term mortgage.
With house sales taking longer, lenders are testing exit assumptions at the start. A plan that relies on a quick sale or on market conditions improving is likely to face more questions. A plan with realistic timings, evidence and a back-up option is far more likely to get a positive answer.
Who uses bridging, and why
- Homeowners buying before they sell, or rescuing a broken chain.
- Investors buying at auction, where completion is often due within 28 days.
- Landlords and developers refurbishing a property before refinancing, or releasing capital from a finished development while units sell.
Bridging on your own home is usually regulated by the FCA. Most bridging for investment, development or commercial property is not.
Quick tips
- Write down your exit with dates, and add a sensible buffer for slow sales or valuations.
- If you plan to refinance, check you would meet the term lender's rules (for example, rental cover for buy-to-let) before you take the bridge.
- Look at the total cost, not just the monthly rate: arrangement, exit, valuation and legal fees all add up.
- Get your paperwork ready early: ID, proof of funds, schedule of works and your portfolio details.
- Don't leave it until the last minute. Talking to a broker early gives more lenders time to look at your case.
How OMB can help
Our CeMAP-qualified advisers arrange bridging, development and commercial finance across a wide panel of lenders, and we can help you shape a deal around a credible exit. Try our bridging deal checker to see how your case looks, read our guide on how a bridging loan works, or see how we rescued a broken chain in Hampstead.
Sources
- Mortgage Professional (MPA), Paragon adds bridging finance credit and underwriting heads ahead of 2027 launch, 14 October 2026
- The Intermediary, Secure Trust Bank Business Finance records £60m in bridging originations in H1, 13 October 2026
- Mortgage Solutions, Paragon Bank hires two to bridging finance leadership team, 13 October 2026
- Bank of England, Bank Rate
To talk it through, contact us or start your enquiry.
Important: This guide is general information, not personal advice. Rules, rates and lender criteria change; speak to an adviser about your circumstances. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.