The figures tell an impressive story. Bridging completions reached a new high of £1.79 billion in Q3, marking a 2.6% increase compared to the previous quarter.

Additionally, the total size of loan books grew by 7.6%, surpassing the £9bn threshold for the first time, with an overall value of £9.01bn.

There was also strong growth in pipeline business, as applications increased by 6.7%, reaching £10.9 billion.

It’s worth noting that this data only includes lending from members of the BDLA, and we would encourage all other lenders to join the association to play their role in reflecting the current state of the market.

The results do, however, reflect the increasing confidence in the sector, highlighting its unique ability to deliver timely financial solutions for a variety of scenarios.

As more brokers and borrowers recognise the value of bridging finance — whether to support fast property purchases, conversions, or temporary funding needs — the demand for this type of lending continues to rise.

This ongoing momentum underscores the pivotal role that bridging plays in enabling borrowers to achieve their goals with speed and flexibility.

And there’s growing demand to fund bridging lending as well. At the recent BDLA Annual Conference, one of the key highlights was a panel discussion on the funding landscape for specialist mortgages, chaired by Stuart Mogg of Interpath Advisory.

The panel, which included representatives from Quillam Capital, J.P. Morgan, Lloyds Banking Group, and Shawbrook Bank, offered valuable insights into the evolving capital options available to bridging lenders.

The consensus among the panellists was optimistic — capital investment in bridging lending is expected to grow in 2025.

•   B&C Awards 2024: The Video
•   'Bridging finance went ballistic in November' say brokers citing changes in BTL market as a factor
•   Bridging loan books surpass £9bn after record completions in Q3 2024

However, lenders were advised to remain focused on core fundamentals such as data-driven decision-making, disciplined underwriting, and effective collections processes, as these will become increasingly important when approaching capital providers.

Sustainability remains at the heart of the BDLA’s mission. Through rigorous membership rules and a strong code of conduct, the association is dedicated to promoting responsible lending practices.

The Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance (CPSP) accreditation continues to gain traction, with many more advisers expected to complete the program in the coming year. This will contribute to better consumer outcomes and ensure that the industry continues to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and expertise.

Additionally, the BDLA is actively working with members and regulators to address challenges such as fraud prevention, further enhancing the sector’s resilience and ethical standing.

The government’s focus on the delivery of new housing shows promise for our sector. With an emphasis on increasing housing supply, there is likely to be growing demand for development finance.

Bridging refurbishment finance is also expected to play a key role in addressing these needs, through the conversion of existing buildings to residential use.

As we look ahead to 2025, the prospect of political stability and potential reductions in interest rates offer additional reasons for optimism.

A stable political environment combined with lower borrowing costs should encourage increased activity in the property market and so we can realistically predict that we are looking forward to the ongoing growth of the bridging market.

By focusing on the fundamentals, maintaining high standards, and embracing innovation, the bridging market is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory and deliver meaningful benefits to lenders, brokers, and borrowers alike.

From the BDLA, we wish you a very happy, healthy and successful 2025.