Bridging finance has evolved significantly over the past decade. What used to be a relatively niche product with a somewhat dubious reputation is today viewed far more favourably, and rightly so. It’s an increasingly important tool in property investors, landlords and brokers’ armouries.
The last couple of years prove this beyond doubt, with investors turning to bridging loans in ever greater numbers.
According to the latest data from the Bridging & Development Lenders Association, for example, the total value of bridging loans in the third quarter of 2025 reached £13.7 billion – a new record.
These figures highlight a simple truth: there’s now a significant demand for the speed and flexibility that bridging products can provide to brokers and borrowers.
Here at Chetwood Bank, our specialist mortgage provider CHL Mortgages delivers valuable products for buy-to-let landlords, ranging from solutions for first-time landlords right through to complex cases for large portfolios.
But in the quest for greater optionality for clients, adding bridging finance into our suite of products will become an important step for us to take.
CROSSOVER CLIENTS
The timing for our move into bridging is no coincidence. Brokers are increasingly looking for solutions that combine speed with flexibility, and we’ve seen a clear crossover between our existing buy-to-let brokers and those active in the short-term finance space.
Many clients are pursuing refurbishment and conversion projects to enable them to increase rental yields that naturally lend themselves to bridging finance.
Our move isn’t simply about responding to demand or increasing volumes. We see it as a natural evolution of our proposition. Our mortgage offering already provides brokers with support for their client’s ever-changing needs, and our bridging function will give them another lever to pull.
In short, we want to build on our reputation in the buy-to-let space and extend the same level of service and quality products to the bridging market.
BUILDING A BRIDGING FUNCTION
Our new proposition will initially launch into the unregulated bridging sector in the coming months and feature a flexible lending policy supported by commercially minded underwriting.
The aim is to give brokers and their clients the confidence that funding will be there when they need it. As a securely funded bank, we’re well placed to do that.
For me, it’s about building an offering that delivers more than just speed. Excellent service is what we want to be known for in the bridging sector. That means streamlining processes while ensuring our team has the tools and systems to deliver efficiently and consistently.
WIDER OFFERING
Looking ahead, our goal is responsible growth that strengthens the relationships we already have with brokers, while giving them new tools to support clients more effectively.
We see bridging as a key growth area for both Chetwood Bank and the broader short-term finance market.
With the government and public calling for more housing, we’ll be there to offer support, as well as to investors renovating properties to increase supply or floorspace.
It’s obvious that the property finance landscape is changing fast, and brokers need partners who can adapt alongside them.
Expanding into bridging is part of our commitment to giving brokers the tools they need to support clients through every stage of their property journey.
