Quick Bridging Finance – What Makes It So Fast?

When brokers are in need of fast funding – they often turn to quick bridging finance. The specialist market at large is known for being able to move more swiftly than its mainstream counterpart. In fact, bridging loan completion times recently fell to an eight-year low of just 43 days[1].

At Market Financial Solutions specifically, we can have quick bridging finance delivered in mere days where everything lines up. Where brokers can provide what our underwriters need immediately, the process can be wrapped up very swiftly, and the borrowers involved can focus on their exit strategies.

So, what is it that makes bridging finance deliveries so relatively fast? There are a few key elements that go into their design that allows for swiftness. For brokers who are unsure of the bridging market’s intricacies, this blog will break down how quick bridging finance delivery is made possible.

Bridging loans are built for speed

Since our market’s inception, bridging loans have been designed to provide fast access to capital in situations where timing is critical. For the most part, bridging loans will not be used for long-term plans. They are tailored towards short-term issues that can derail an investment strategy if they’re not addressed immediately.

There are a few common scenarios that emerge here. A property investor may need quick bridging finance to bridge the gap between financial transactions – i.e. avoid a potential chain break. They may also need funding to secure an opportunity found at auction, or refurbish a home quickly to raise its value before getting it on the market.

While mainstream lenders may have products that can help with these scenarios, they’re unlikely to be able to do so quickly. Mortgages in particular can take months to be issued, and this is largely as a result of how these products are assessed.

→ If you want to understand not just how bridging loans move fast, but how they work from start to finish, our Complete Guide to Bridging Loans breaks it all down clearly and concisely.

With quick bridging finance, the emphasis will be on the asset

Mainstream, regulated lenders are required by the FCA to carry out thorough affordability assessments for their products. This commonly includes income verifications, stress testing, credit scoring, and assessments of a borrower’s long-term repayment ability.

Considering mortgages have very long terms, and are used by borrowers for homes they’ll be living in, it’s right that there is so much scrutiny involved. But all these income-based assessments take a lot of time.

With bridging loans, lenders will instead be primarily focused on the value of the asset(s) being invested into, and the exit strategy. As there is less emphasis on the borrower’s income, the underwriting process is comparatively simplified. There will be less paperwork, and a reduced likelihood of delays.

Also, as quick bridging finance is (usually) secured against a property, the lender’s key question will be “is the security strong enough, and is there a clear way out?”, as opposed to “can this borrower afford monthly repayments for 25 years?”. The former question is much more immediate than the latter.

Fewer regulatory constraints lead to more flexible underwriting

Quick bridging finance lenders are largely unregulated. With fewer constraints, bridging lenders can be more pragmatic in their underwriting practises. They do not need to adhere to rigid tick-box lending criteria, and can assess deals on a case-by-case basis.

This in-turn allows them to be able to handle those complex clients who tend to seek out bridging finance specifically. Bridging lenders can move quickly for cases involving unusual property types, complicated borrower situations, credit issues, and non-standard income sources.

Demand for quick bridging finance is set to ramp up

These are just some of the reasons why bridging finance can be issued very quickly. As we all prepare for what the rest of 2026 has in store for us, brokers need to be mindful of the fact that demand for quick bridging finance will be driven by some key milestones and market trends this year.

The property auction market is expected to grow this year, as buyers and sellers seek out opportunities with no chains, and fixed timescales[2]. Given that auction completions typically take place 20 working days after the date of exchange[3], there will be a clear need for rapid solutions over the coming months.

Fall throughs are also on the rise. In 2025, the additional number of fallen through transactions hit 9,411 – up 3.9% year-on-year[4]. These fall throughs can prove costly. Last year, the average price of a fallen through property for the year was £365,949. Brokers and borrowers will want to limit these risks as much as possible in 2026, especially given all the challenges that still linger.

In May, the first tranches of the Renters’ Rights Act will come into play[5]. Among other things, the legislation will ban section 21 evictions, end fixed contracts, and limit rent changes. These changes will likely prove too costly for many landlords, and we could see waves of selling up in the lead up to the summer.

This could create opportunities for property investors who will want to jump on them quickly. A fast bridging loan could provide an edge in our competitive industry.

In fact, in any market, quick bridging finance will prove incredibly useful for brokers and borrowers alike. At Market Financial Solutions, we will continue to strive to provide the most streamlined options possible for our clientele.