The Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA) has reported a record-equalling £2.8bn in bridging completions for Q1 2025, matching the high reached in Q4 2024 and defying the usual seasonal slowdown.
The figures, compiled by independent auditors from BDLA member data, show continued strength and growing demand across the sector.
New applications rose sharply to £18.34bn, marking a 55.3% quarter-on-quarter increase and reflecting what the association called an “unprecedented spike in demand.” The figures indicate a strong pipeline for future lending activity, according to the BDLA.
Vic Jannels (pictured), CEO of the BDLA, said: “Q1 is traditionally the quietest quarter of the year, so to maintain the record completion levels seen in Q4 2024 is a strong indicator of continued resilience in the market. The sheer scale of the rise in applications is striking and, if even only a portion of these applications convert, we could see lending volumes reach new heights over the next two quarters.”
Jannels added that the total loan book across BDLA lender members is now just under £13bn, boosted in part by the addition of new members to the trade body in recent months.
The data also revealed that the average loan size remained at £540,000 during the quarter. Regulated bridging lending increased by 23% to £398m, accounting for 14% of total lending – a return to more typical proportions after spikes in 2024, when regulated deals reached as high as 37% of all transactions. Development finance remained steady at £516m.
