The Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL) has reported that the value of bridging loans written by its members increased 26% in the final quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of the year.

Growth across last year as a whole was more modest with the value of loans written 9.4% higher in 2016 than they were in 2015.  Lending in the year totalled £2.83 billion, up from £2.59 billion the previous year; although the overall loan book at the end of 2016 increased by 29.7% compared to the end of 2015 to reach £3.3 billion.

The value of applications increased 27.5% quarter-on-quarter, compared to a fall of 5% the previous quarter and a fall of 14% quarter on quarter in Q4 2015.  The improvement in Q4 2016 translates in to a massive increase of 71% compared to Q4 2015.

The ASTL said the disparity between applications and completions became clear however, as while applications for the year increased 34% over 2015, the value of loans written increased by just 9.4%. This not only indicates that not all applications reach completion, but also that brokers tend to submit applications several lenders at a time, the trade body said.

Benson Hersch, CEO of the ASTL, said: “After a dip in volumes almost across the board in Q3 last year following the referendum, the size of the increase both in the quarter and across the year has overshot even my most optimistic expectations. I do expect volumes to rise again in the first quarter of this year, however I expect the percentage increase to be lower compared to Q4, as this quarter’s figures very much contrast with the Brexit blues that affected people looking for bridging loans between July and September last year.

“While lending by ASTL members didn’t quite hit £3 billion, there are a number of bridging loans that fall under the radar, made by lenders that many people do not know exist, as well as those lenders who are not members, so the actual size of the bridging market is far larger.”