Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

High-Value Bridging Loans Support HNW Homebuyers in UK Property Market

Large bridging loans exceeding £1 million accounted for nearly half of the total value of regulated residential bridging lending in the first quarter of 2026, according to research cited by Mortgage Solutions. Figures obtained by Orton Financial from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) show that £471.4 million in regulated residential bridging was completed over 1,052 loans during this period.

Although only 93 of these loans were for amounts greater than £1 million—less than a tenth of all completions—their combined value reached £202.7 million, representing 43% of the market’s total value for the quarter. This data highlights the significant role of high-value bridging finance in supporting high-net-worth (HNW) individuals with complex and time-sensitive property transactions.

Orton Financial’s analysis also indicates substantial growth in the regulated residential bridging market since 2021. The number of completions rose from 2,134 in 2021 to 4,249 in 2025, while the value of advances increased from £862.9 million to over £1.72 billion. The number of bridging loans above £1 million advanced increased from 170 in 2021 to 321 in 2025, with the total value of these loans rising from £293.9 million to £607.9 million.

For UK letting agents and inventory clerks, these trends suggest that HNW buyers are increasingly using bridging finance to facilitate property purchases, particularly in cases where transactions are complex or require rapid completion. The data also points to bridging loans being used for purposes such as securing a property before a previous sale completes, refinancing, or funding renovations prior to qualifying for traditional mortgage lending.