Interpath & BDLA Bridging Market Survey 2026 | Increased governance and more consolidation to shape bridging finance market
Market momentum in the UK bridging finance sector is expected to stabilise over the next 12 months, with lenders and brokers anticipating little year-on-year growth as institutional capital remains available but increasingly selective, according to the latest Interpath & BDLA Bridging Market Survey.
However, increased governance and a wave of consolidation look set to reshape the market, due in part to recent events that have impacted the sector.
The Interpath & BDLA Bridging Market Survey monitors trends in the UK bridging finance market, collating insights from lenders, brokers and other specialists. In this, the third edition of the survey, Interpath collected feedback from 46 industry participants, with over half of respondents (59%) either operating as brokers or lending within the sector.
The survey found that sentiment amongst lenders and brokers remains cautiously positive despite softer momentum over the past year. Just over half of respondents (52%) reported increased origination volumes, while a further 35% noted no significant change in growth activity, pointing to a market that continues to perform steadily but with fewer signs of acceleration than in previous years.
Stuart Mogg, head of FS Debt and Capital Advisory at Interpath, said: “Short-term property finance continues to stand out as a highly attractive niche within specialty finance, underpinned by strong security, compelling yields and short-duration assets. While the sector has benefitted from significant liquidity in recent years, intensified competition, high profile platform failures and macro uncertainty have led to a more selective and bifurcated funding environment. Some institutions are retrenching or focusing on larger, well capitalised platforms, while others are seizing the opportunity to access assets that were previously highly contested.
“Despite a moderation in appetite, funders remain committed to the sector, and we continue to see it as a key area of focus for capital deployment – albeit with originators needing to work harder to secure it. In this environment, those lenders that can demonstrate robust governance, scalable platforms with a proven track record, and a diversified product offering will be best placed to attract funding.”
Increased governance and consolidation set to reshape the market
The recent high-profile collapses of institutions including Century Capital and MFS have brought structural, operational and governance considerations into sharper focus for many of the survey’s respondents.
Both funders and originators expect higher standards of governance, transparency and reporting to be required moving forward, reflecting increased scrutiny from capital providers.
In turn, these dynamics are expected to accelerate consolidation across the sector: larger, well-capitalised lenders are seen as better placed to meet these rising expectations, while smaller players may face increasing challenges in competing effectively.
Nick Parkhouse, global head of financial services at Interpath, explains: “A clear ‘flight to quality’ is emerging, with capital concentrating around established, proven platforms. This is expected to drive consolidation as investors prioritise resilience, track record and operational robustness in an environment where confidence has been tested by recent market failures and where macro-economic uncertainty has risen sharply compared with last year.”
Nick Parkhouse continued: “The recent failures of Century Capital and MFS, whatever the underlying reasons, caused a dent in enthusiasm for M&A, but it has proven short-lived. Aldermore’s acquisition of Octane’s loan book and origination capability showed how quickly appetite has recovered. The fundamental rationale for consolidation remains intact: sellers who have been unable to exit for a long time still want, or need, to sell, while buyers increasingly recognise that organic growth is getting harder and that M&A can deliver a larger business and improved profitability through efficiencies.”
He added: “What those failures have changed is the cost of capital and the standard of proof. Capital has become far more discerning, and the owners of genuinely high-quality platforms will command stronger interest and better value. It has also raised the diligence bar permanently. No acquirer will take a loan book at face value again, and rigorous, independent verification of the underlying security is now expected as standard. Done well, that protects value on both sides and is what gets a deal over the line rather than stalling it.”
Other Key Findings
Macroeconomic concerns continue to weigh heavily
Macroeconomic uncertainty remains the dominant challenge facing the UK bridging market, with a significant proportion of respondents identifying it as their primary concern. In 2026, 65% of participants ranked macroeconomic uncertainty as the most important issue, a sharp increase from 39% in 2025, while a further 15% place it second. This marked shift highlights a growing sense of instability in the broader economic environment and suggests that market participants are increasingly focused on external risks shaping demand, pricing and deal viability.
Operational challenges persist, but tech optimism grows
Despite steady performance, survey respondents reported that operational friction continues to weigh on transaction timelines. Legal processes and slow borrower response times were again identified as the primary causes of delays across the market.
However, sentiment toward technology remains positive. Respondents expressed a clear belief that AI and automation will play an increasingly important role in addressing inefficiencies, streamlining processes and improving turnaround times over the coming years.
Development finance appetite builds
While overall demand for bridging finance is expected to remain broadly stable, appetite for development finance continues to grow. Around half of respondents indicated they are increasing exposure on a selective basis, signalling cautious but strengthening optimism about opportunities within this segment of the market.
Adam Tyler, CEO of The Bridging & Development Lenders Association, concluded: “This report comes at an important point in the continued evolution of the bridging and development finance sector. When we first started measuring the bridging market in 2005, the total loan book stood at around £300m. Today, the loan book of BDLA members alone stands at £11.5bn, demonstrating just how far the sector has come.
“Bridging and development finance has evolved from what was once viewed as a niche product into an essential component of the UK property market, supporting investors, developers, brokers and borrowers with flexible funding at critical moments. However, growth of this scale also brings responsibility to all those involved. As the market expands and attracts greater attention from regulators, policymakers, investors and customers, maintaining high standards and providing greater awareness has become more important than ever.”