Affirmative Finance is a Manchester-based short-term property lender that offers bridging loans, regulated bridging, second charge loans and development finance across England, Scotland and Wales. Its minimum loan is £10,000, which is lower than many bridging lenders, and it says it has more than 15 years of experience in the short-term finance market. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Affirmative Finance, so we can set its terms against other lenders before you decide. You can read more on Affirmative Finance's own website.
About Affirmative Finance
Affirmative is the trading name of a small group of companies, with Affirmative Finance Limited authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The business has its registered office in Manchester and lends to individuals and businesses across Great Britain. It describes itself as a mainstay of the short-term finance market with more than 15 years of experience.
Because it holds FCA permissions, Affirmative Finance can lend on regulated cases, such as a bridge secured on a home the borrower lives in, as well as on unregulated investment and commercial cases. It says regulated mortgage contracts must come through an FCA-authorised intermediary. It is a specialist non-bank lender rather than a high street bank.
Affirmative Finance is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans, regulated bridging and smaller development finance cases.
What Affirmative Finance funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Affirmative Finance's products cover most short-term property needs, from a small auction purchase to a self-build or conversion scheme. The figures below are broad criteria; every case is assessed on its own merits.
| Product | Typical use | Loan size | Maximum term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard and light refurbishment bridging | Residential purchases, auction buys, light works before sale or refinance | From £10,000 | 18 months |
| Heavy refurbishment bridging | Structural works on residential or commercial property | From £10,000 | 18 months |
| Commercial bridging | Purchase or refinance of commercial property | From £10,000 | 18 months |
| Second charge bridging | Raising funds behind an existing mortgage | £10,000 to £1 million | 12 months |
| Regulated bridging | Bridges secured on the borrower's own home, such as buy before you sell or downsizing | From £10,000 | 12 months |
| Development finance (regulated and unregulated) | Ground-up schemes, conversions, self-build and custom build | £10,000 to £2 million | Up to 18 months |
Affirmative Finance's bridging loans go up to £5 million on a first charge and £1 million on a second charge, and its development finance runs up to £2 million. It lends up to 75% loan to value, and says it may go higher where additional security is offered. On some development and refurbishment cases it says it may fund up to 100% of costs, including land, where there is enough equity or extra security.
Its development finance covers houses and small clusters, apartment blocks, permitted development and commercial-to-residential conversions such as offices, churches and barns, loft and garage conversions, and self-build. Funds for works are released in stages, and interest is charged only on the amount drawn. Drawdowns cost about £250 each, with no separate quantity surveyor fees, and legal fees are not payable until the loan draws down.
Who Affirmative Finance suits (and who it may not)
Affirmative Finance tends to suit:
- Borrowers needing a smaller bridge, from £10,000, which many lenders will not consider.
- Auction buyers and investors purchasing property that needs light or heavy works.
- Homeowners needing a regulated bridge, for example to buy a new home before selling the old one.
- Borrowers who want to raise funds on a second charge without disturbing an existing mortgage.
- Self-builders and smaller developers working on conversions or a handful of units.
It may be a poorer fit for development schemes needing more than £2 million, for borrowers who need very high leverage without additional security, and for anyone who needs a term longer than 18 months. Development cases above a few million pounds are usually better placed with a specialist development lender or bank.
What Affirmative Finance looks at
Like most short-term lenders, Affirmative Finance focuses on the security, the loan to value and, above all, the exit. Expect it to look at:
- The property or land, its value and its condition, confirmed by a valuation.
- How the loan will be repaid: a sale, a refinance onto a term mortgage, or the sale of another property.
- For development: planning permission, build costs, the timeline and the warranty provider, such as NHBC.
- Your experience, credit history and any other assets or security on offer.
- For regulated cases, affordability and suitability under FCA rules.
Its published process runs from a decision in principle through underwriting, indicative terms, credit checks, valuation and legal work to completion. Loans under £150,000 at up to 60% loan to value can use an automated valuation rather than a full survey, which can reduce cost.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low minimum loan of £10,000.
- Offers both regulated and unregulated bridging, plus second charge loans.
- Development finance includes self-build and conversions, not only investor schemes.
- Lends across England, Scotland and Wales.
- Staged drawdowns, with interest only on funds drawn.
- Low drawdown costs, and legal fees not due until drawdown.
- More than one property can be taken as security.
Cons
- Maximum term of 18 months on bridging, and 12 months on regulated and second charge loans.
- Bridging up to £5 million and development finance up to £2 million, so larger schemes may need another lender.
- Higher leverage often depends on offering additional security.
- Second charge and commercial bridging are typically priced above first charge residential cases.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Affirmative Finance deals with both borrowers and intermediaries, though it says regulated mortgage contracts must be submitted through an FCA-authorised intermediary. Even where you can go direct, a single lender can only offer its own products. Bridging and development terms vary widely in loan to value, fees, exit fees and how interest is handled, and the cheapest headline price is not always the cheapest loan.
We search the market, present your case clearly and approach suitable lenders on your behalf, including Affirmative Finance where it fits. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed. See our guides to bridging loans and development finance for how the process works.
Alternatives to Affirmative Finance
- Alternative Bridging Corp: offers regulated and unregulated bridging alongside development and self-build lending.
- Bridging Finance Solutions: covers bridging, refurbishment, regulated cases and development from smaller loan sizes.
- Masthaven Finance: bridging, development and finish-and-exit lending, including regulated cases.
- MT Finance: residential and commercial bridging, including regulated and refurbishment loans.
- Together: a long-established lender for bridging, regulated bridges and land.
If your bridge is secured on your own home, our page on regulated bridging loans explains the extra protections that apply.
Common questions
What is the minimum loan from Affirmative Finance?
Affirmative Finance says its minimum loan is £10,000, which is lower than many bridging lenders. Its bridging maximum is £5 million (£1 million on a second charge), and its development finance runs up to £2 million.
Does Affirmative Finance offer regulated bridging loans?
Yes. Affirmative Finance Limited is FCA authorised and offers regulated bridges secured on a home the borrower or their family lives in. It says these must be arranged through an FCA-authorised intermediary.
Can Affirmative Finance lend on a second charge?
Yes. It offers second charge bridging, typically from £10,000 to £1 million over terms of up to 12 months, where there is enough equity behind the existing mortgage.
Does Affirmative Finance fund self-build?
Yes. Its development finance covers self-build from scratch, rebuilds after demolition and additional houses in the grounds of an existing property, as well as conversions and small developments.
Where does Affirmative Finance lend?
Affirmative Finance lends across England, Scotland and Wales. It does not list Northern Ireland.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
