Bridging and secured loans soar during first half of 2012

In the first six months of 2012, the number of bridging loans completed by Enterprise Finance was 20% higher than the equivalent period in 2011. The gross lending volume of bridges during H1 2012 was a significant 130% higher than H1 2011.
 
Secured – or second charge – loan numbers were also up sharply during the first half of this year relative to the first six months of 2011. The overall number of loans arranged was 40% higher while gross lending volumes rose by 55%.
 
Danny Waters, CEO, Enterprise Finance, commented:
 
"This first half data confirms what most in the short-term finance industry already know: the bridging sector is experiencing rapid growth. There is not only more demand relative to a year ago, but the loans people are taking out are also a lot bigger on average, which reflects both borrower and specialist lender appetite. While the secured loans sector is still a shadow of its former self, it has certainly come back from the brink. Cheaper rates and improved supply from new and existing lenders have injected all-important liquidity into the sector. We expect secured loans to be particularly robust in the short to medium term, as loan availability increases to meet strong demand."