Four in every five intermediaries expect their confidence in the bridging market to increase over the next 12 months, according to polling from Black & White Bridging.

Of the 100 intermediaries surveyed, 82% said they anticipate growing confidence, including 20% who agreed strongly. While 14% were unsure, only 4% expected their confidence to fall.

The lender said the aftermath of the 2024 Budget, together with speculation ahead of the 2025 statement, had previously cooled investor sentiment. However, it believes intermediaries are approaching 2026 with renewed clarity on economic policy, helping to restore optimism across the sector.

Damien Druce, chief operating officer at Black & White Bridging, said: “Despite brokers’ concerns around the chaotic Autumn Budget and the turbulence of the last few months, it’s reassuring to see that confidence in the mortgage and bridging market is looking so high.

“Following two challenging Autumn Budgets in a row, market conditions can only improve. Unless Ms. Reeves has fluffed her numbers, we should expect a less punishing Budget in 2026.”

OPPORTUNITIES

When asked which area of the market presented the biggest opportunity over the next year, 57% of respondents identified re-bridging. Development-exit refinance and residential purchases ranked joint second with 11% each.

Re-bridging was highlighted as the main growth driver in all regions except London. In the capital, the picture was more mixed: residential purchases led with 36% of the vote, followed by re-bridging on 29% and commercial property acquisitions on 14%.

Druce added: “If brokers are right and 2026 does turn out to be economically more positive, bridging products are set to provide fast and flexible financing for investors looking to make quick, strategic deals.

“Brokers need to be able to advise clients of options beyond standard financing solutions. Flexibility and affordability will be key.

“Having said that, re-bridging can be risky and I wouldn’t want to endorse it as a growth opportunity.”

The research also suggests sentiment has strengthened sharply since 2024. Black & White reported that 90% of intermediaries had seen their confidence rise over the past year, compared with 2% who said it had fallen.

Those operating outside London, including in the North, Midlands and South of England, were notably more positive. While 95% of brokers in these regions said their confidence had improved, only 64% of London-based intermediaries reported the same.

Druce concluded: “Months of Budget speculation around a mansion tax have dampened the London market more significantly than other areas of the UK. Wealthy people are selling up and leaving the country in their droves, leading to an oversupply at the top of London’s market and less demand for higher-value properties.

“As a result, developers and property investors have been less willing to take risks in the capital. But investor sentiment looks set to change in 2026 as the market returns to some sort of normality after the carnage of the Budget.”