B&C can reveal that the Association of Short Term Lenders (astl) today has added Hope Capital Ltd, the privately funded specialist provider of bridging loans, to its membership.

Hope Capital, which began trading in 2011, provides funds of up to £500,000, for a term of up to six months, to entrepreneurial businesses and residential clients.

The astl is a trade body formed in 2008 to represent lenders which offer bridging or short term mortgages or loans.

Since its launch, Hope Capital has been establishing itself within the bridging market and now works with a broad base of brokers and other partners to offer quick and flexible funding.

The addition of Hope Capital takes the number of full astl members to 23, with associate members now totalling twelve.

Benson Hersch, Chief Executive of the astl, said: “Increasing the astl membership raises our influence with the FCA as the Association continues to represent responsible bridging lenders. Hope Capital is another welcome addition to the growing astl ranks. As a fairly new entrant into the bridging market it has set out on the path of transparency which is in line with the association’s charter, and we look forward to its input.”

Commenting on joining the trade body’s ranks, Jonathan Sealey, CEO of Hope Capital Ltd, commented: “After 18 months of trading Hope Capital is becoming known in the bridging market. Now is the right time to join the astl, to get to know our peers and to be part of what is becoming a powerful collective voice for our industry.

“The astl is working hard to improve the perception of short term lending and the way lenders within the market work. Our ethos and that of the astl are the same, so becoming a member was the next natural step for Hope Capital.”