Seven in every 10 brokers (72%) are optimistic about future growth in the short-term lending market, research by Black & White Bridging has indicated.

New findings published by the specialist lender showed that 37% of brokers are “positive” about the future of the market over the next year, with another 35% describing themselves “very positive”.

By comparison, just 7% of brokers described themselves as “negative” on growth, while 14% described themselves as “neutral”.

Black & White also quizzed brokers on whether they expected to see an increase in demand for bridging loans over the next 12 months, with 74% of respondents saying they did. While 24% of brokers expected to see no change in deal volumes, just 2% anticipated a decrease in demand.

“The overwhelming optimism of brokers highlights not only the resilience of the short-term lending market but also its potential,” chief operating officer at Black & White Bridging, Damien Druce, commented.

“With 74% of brokers anticipating a rise in bridging loan demand – and refurbishment products leading the charge – it’s clear brokers see significant opportunities ahead,” Druce said. We’re committed to supporting this growth with innovative products and tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of borrowers in 2025 and beyond.”

Overall, Black & White’s research indicated that brokers are expecting to see 16% more deals in 2025 compared with 2024, with one in every seven brokers (14%) forecasting demand to increase by more than 20%.

Brokers said they thought refurbishment products would be the bridging loan product in the highest demand in the future (33%), and this was followed by commercial products (21%), development exit (19%) and residential products (19%).

The specialist lender found that more than half of brokers (53%) had also observed that enquiries were currently higher than they were 12 months ago.

“Current robust business volumes confirm the market is thriving and suggest these forecasts are not pie in the sky stuff,” Druce added.

“The surge in current trading – with 53% of brokers reporting higher enquiries over the course of the last 12 months and, overall, a 19% rise in bridging loan volumes over the past year – offers a solid bedrock for optimism about the future. Brokers have every reason to be confident in the opportunities ahead.”

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