Hope Capital Ltd has become the newest member of the Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL).

The privately funded specialist provider of bridging loans provides funds of up to £500,000, for a term of up to six months, to entrepreneurial businesses and residential clients.

Since its launch in 2011 Hope Capital now works with a broad base of brokers and other partners.

The addition of Hope Capital takes the number of full ASTL members to 23, with associate members now totalling 12.

Benson Hersch, chief executive of the ASTL, said: “Increasing the ASTL membership raises our influence with the FCA as the association continues to represent responsible bridging lenders. Hope Capital is another welcome addition to the growing ASTL ranks.

“As a fairly new entrant into the bridging market it has set out on the path of transparency which is in line with the association’s charter, and we look forward to its input.”

Jonathan Sealey, CEO of Hope Capital Ltd, added: “After 18 months of trading Hope Capital is becoming known in the bridging market. Now is the right time to join the ASTL, to get to know our peers and to be part of what is becoming a powerful collective voice for our industry.

“The ASTL is working hard to improve the perception of short term lending and the way lenders within the market work. Our ethos and that of the ASTL are the same, so becoming a member was the next natural step for Hope Capital.”