United Trust Bank has introduced a desktop valuation option for bridging cases and widened its use of automated valuation models.
The lender said the changes were designed to give brokers and customers faster routes from application to offer, as well as greater certainty earlier in the process.
The new desktop valuation option sits between automated valuation models and full physical inspections. It can be used on purchases, refinances, light refurbishment projects and capital raising, and is aimed at standard residential properties.
UTB has also relaxed minimum automated valuation model confidence levels across all LTV bands.
Automated valuation models are available on bridging loans up to £1m and up to 75% LTV. The bank said criteria changes introduced since the start of the year should allow a larger proportion of cases to use the faster, cost-free valuation route.
In 2025, UTB used automated valuation models on around one-third of bridging cases. It expects this to rise to around two-thirds this year.
The lender said the changes formed part of a wider push to improve efficiency, reduce friction and accelerate processing. It added that it had reduced and streamlined bridging finance underwriting requirements, cutting turnaround times in half compared with 2025.
Andrew Ferguson, commercial director – mortgages, buy-to-let and bridging at United Trust Bank, says: “These changes are all about delivering what brokers and their clients value most – speed, certainty and reliability.
“We are constantly looking at ways to remove drag and delay from the bridging process and make it quicker and easier for brokers to do business with us.
“Expanding the use of AVMs and introducing Desktop Valuations gives brokers more routes to a faster offer, greater certainty at an earlier stage, and a significantly quicker and more assured path to a successful completion.”
