Bridging completion times fall to eight-year low

According to the latest Bridging Trends data, the average completion time for a bridging loan fell to 43 days, the lowest figure since 2017, as buyers prioritised speed amid increasing stability.

The average completion time for a bridging loan fell for the third consecutive year, down from 47 in 2024. 

The research suggests that multiple factors – including the implementation of more tech, increased efficiency and brokers having a better understanding of what is needed from them – are all combining to significantly speed up the process.

In total, £811m of bridging loans was transacted by Bridging Trends contributors in 2025, a 1.4% drop on 2024’s £822.2m. This could be due to a softer Q4 2025 which saw £199.9m in transactions, down from Q3’s £209.4m. This is indicative of previous Q4s but could have been exacerbated by a sense of caution in the run-up to November’s Budget. 

The most popular use of a bridging loan in 2025 was to fund an investment purchase, which totalled 20% of all bridges, up from 19% in 2024. Coupled with the rise in heavy refurb bridging loans, which increased from 9% in 2024 to 11% in 2025, it seems that landlords and investors are coming back to the market and, as well as growing their portfolios, are looking at ways to maximise their return on investment. The return of landlords could also be seen in the slight uptick in unregulated bridging, rising from 54% in 2024 to 55% in 2025. 

Elsewhere, the proportion of re-bridges jumped from 7% in 2024 to 10% in 2025. While the market is stabilising, sales are still somewhat flat, which could be impacting those whose exit strategy is linked to the sale of a property. 

The average monthly interest rate fell from 0.88% in 2024 to 0.84% in 2025. A reduction in the average LTV – which fell from 58% in 2024 to 55% in 2025 – could have contributed to this. The fact that first charge lending rose from 86% in 2024 to 89% may also have played a part. 

According to Knowledge Bank, the top criteria searches made by bridging finance brokers in 2025 was for ‘regulated bridging’, ‘minimum loan amount’ and maximum loan-to-value’. There was also an increase in searches relating to ‘splitting title deed’, ‘planning permissions’ and ‘minimum age at application’ in the final quarter of 2025 which implies that landlords and investors are continuing to diversify their portfolios and income structures. 

Bridging Trends combines bridging loan completions from several specialist finance packagers: AFIG, Brightstar Financial, Capital B, Clever Lending, Clifton Private Finance, Complete FS, Enness, Impact Specialist Finance, LDNfinance, Optimum Elite, Sirius Finance and UK Property Finance.

Andre Barlett, CEO and co-founder at Capital B Property Finance, commented: “These figures point to a bridging market that’s become more efficient and more considered. Rates and completion times are at some of their lowest levels in years, which reflects stronger lender competition and better broker-lender processes. At the same time, lower average LTVs show a continued focus on sensible risk. The growth in regulated refinances and re-bridging tells us borrowers are using bridging more strategically, not just as a last resort. Overall, it feels like a more mature, outcome-driven market.”

Shane Chawatama, sales director at Knowledge Bank, said: “The increase in searches around planning permission and splitting title deeds is a strong signal that property investors are becoming more creative and strategic with their portfolios. Rather than stepping back, advisers are clearly working through more complex asset structures, value-add opportunities and alternative exit strategies. This sits alongside continued interest in adverse credit criteria, suggesting that while some investors are navigating credit challenges, the focus remains on restructuring and optimisation rather than distress. For lenders, this underlines a growing opportunity to support sophisticated, criteria-led transactions where clarity and flexibility are just as important as price.”

Raphael Benggio, bridging director at MT Finance, added: “It is encouraging to see that investors and landlords seem to be returning to the market. November’s Budget wasn’t as disastrous for the property sector as many feared and instead it has largely been a case of business as usual. There is a lot of liquidity and lenders certainly seem to be competitive with their rates, which is great news for borrowers. It is also encouraging to see the downward trajectory of average completion times which shows how useful bridging is for those facing tight deadlines.”