Santander UK joins the BDLA

Santander UK has joined the Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA) as its latest associate member.

Through its non-bank financial institutions and professional services team, Santander UK supports specialist lenders in the bridging and development finance sector with services including day-to-day banking requirements and a range of funding and risk management solutions.

The BDLA says that Santander UK’s decision to join represents an endorsement of the short-term property lending market and reflects the growing importance of institutional funding in supporting the sector.

The BDLA’s membership includes lenders, funders, legal firms, valuers, technology providers and other professional services businesses.

Adam Tyler, CEO of the BDLA, said: "We are very pleased to welcome Santander as an associate member of the BDLA. Santander is a hugely respected and recognisable name in UK financial services, and its decision to join the association is a positive statement about the strength and direction of the bridging and development finance sector.

"Access to funding is fundamental to the continued growth and stability of our market. The fact that a major high street bank such as Santander is actively funding lenders in this space underlines the increasing confidence in short-term property finance and the important role it plays in supporting borrowers, brokers, developers and the wider property market.

Jon Bowring, regional managing director at Santander non-bank financial institutions & professional services team, said: "We’re pleased to join the BDLA as an associate member and to support an association that plays such an important role in representing the bridging and development finance sector.

"Santander supports lenders in this part of the market with a full suite of services, and we recognise the value of working closely with an organisation that promotes professionalism, transparency and sustainable growth.

"The bridging and development finance sector continues to play an important role in the wider property finance landscape, and we look forward to further engaging with the BDLA and its members."