By Hamza Behzad, Business Development Director at Finova
The bridging market has always been fast-moving, designed to deliver short-term funding at pace. But as borrower expectations evolve and volumes rise – with completions forecast to hit £12.2 billion in 2025 – speed alone is no longer enough. Today, brokers and borrowers want certainty and transparency, delivered through digital-first journeys that rival the experience they receive in other areas of financial services.
This shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Specialist lenders, challenger banks, and building societies are working to balance the human judgement bridging is built on with the efficiencies offered by new technology. Those that get it right will not only meet today’s surge in demand but also set themselves up for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market.
Smarter pricing, stronger positioning
Pricing has always been a pressure point in bridging. Historically, lenders have relied on rate sheets or manual tweaks – approaches that can quickly become outdated when market conditions shift. Now, dynamic pricing engines are changing the game.
By pulling in data such as loan size, property details, geography, and borrower profile, lenders can generate bespoke terms instantly. This allows them to keep pace with unpredictable rate environments while offering brokers and borrowers far greater clarity.
In practice, that means faster quotes, less back-and-forth, and a more confident proposition for intermediaries trying to secure funding on tight deadlines. In a sector where hours can make the difference, real-time pricing helps lenders protect margins while still competing effectively.
Automation that cuts friction, not people
The push towards automation is reshaping how deals move through the pipeline. Instead of multiple manual touchpoints, platforms can now run ID checks, pull credit data, and triage cases the moment an application lands. For straightforward deals, this can dramatically reduce the time to offer, while freeing underwriters to focus on the complex cases where human expertise adds most value.
Some lenders are going further, locking in rates earlier with “always-on” models that prevent last-minute repricing – a critical improvement in bridging, where certainty and speed underpin trust.
The benefit isn’t just faster turnaround; it’s also greater consistency. Automated workflows ensure applications are assessed against the same criteria every time, reducing errors and giving both brokers and lenders more confidence in outcomes.
Borrower expectations are changing
While origination attracts most attention, servicing is becoming just as important. Bridging loans often involve rolled-up interest, early repayments, or staged redemptions – all scenarios that legacy systems struggle to handle. Digital-first servicing platforms are making these processes far smoother. Borrowers can log into portals to track balances, make payments, or communicate with lenders directly. Meanwhile, lenders gain real-time alerts on potential risks such as missed payments, upcoming maturities, or refinancing opportunities.
This shift is more than convenience – it’s about building confidence and trust. In a market where repeat business and broker relationships are critical, a transparent, easy-to-use servicing journey can be just as influential as the initial speed of decisioning.
Looking forward: blending people and platforms
The bridging sector is entering a new era. The fundamentals – speed, flexibility, and personal service – remain unchanged. What’s new is the infrastructure that enables them. With dynamic pricing, automated workflows, and smarter servicing platforms, lenders can scale to meet record levels of demand without compromising on quality or certainty.
But technology on its own isn’t enough. Success in bridging still relies on skilled underwriters, case managers, and brokers who can navigate complex deals and think creatively. The value of digital transformation lies in enabling these experts to spend less time on admin and more time doing what they do best – structuring deals, solving problems, and supporting clients. Those lenders who embrace this balance will not just keep up with demand. They’ll redefine what “fast and flexible” looks like in bridging finance.
