Allica Bank is a UK business bank for established small and medium-sized businesses, and through its bridging arm it offers short-term loans on residential, semi-commercial and commercial property. Its range covers standard bridges, refurbishment loans and bridge-to-term facilities that move onto a longer commercial loan without a separate refinance. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Allica Bank, so we can compare its terms with other bridging lenders and banks. You can read more on Allica Bank's own website.
About Allica Bank
Allica obtained its banking licence in 2019 and is headquartered in London. Allica Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. It focuses on established businesses and is known for giving customers a dedicated relationship manager.
Allica entered bridging in August 2024 when it acquired Tuscan Capital, a specialist bridging lender. Its bridging is now provided by Allica Bridging Finance Limited, trading as Allica Bank Bridging Finance. That company is not itself authorised by the PRA or FCA, and its bridging products are unregulated, so they are for business and investment purposes rather than a loan on your own home.
Allica Bank is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans, commercial bridging and bridge-to-term finance.
What Allica Bank funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Allica's bridging product guide sets out these broad criteria:
| Product | Loan size | Maximum leverage | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bridge: residential and semi-commercial | £150,000 to £10 million | Up to 75% LTV | Up to 24 months |
| Standard bridge: commercial | £150,000 to £10 million | Up to 70% LTV | Up to 24 months |
| Refurbishment, Allica-funded works (cosmetic, light, medium) | £150,000 to £2 million | Up to 75% day one, up to 100% of works | 3 to 24 months |
| Refurbishment, borrower-funded works | £150,000 to £2 million | Up to 75% of post-works value | 3 to 24 months |
| Bridge-to-term Stabiliser | £250,000 to £5 million | Up to 70% day one | Seven years: two-year bridge then five-year term |
| Bridge-to-term Improver | £500,000 to £5 million | Up to 65% day one and 65% of GDV | Seven years: two-year refurbishment period then five-year term |
Allica-funded refurbishment works range from cosmetic and light works, such as redecoration, EPC improvements and modernisation, to medium works including loft conversions, reconfigurations, single storey extensions and commercial-to-residential schemes, with works completed within 12 months.
Allica lends on investment property in England, Scotland and Wales, and says larger standard bridges may be considered case by case. Standard bridges can be used for purchases, refinancing and development exit.
The bridge-to-term products are unusual. The Stabiliser is for a commercial or semi-commercial property, owner-occupied or investment, that cannot yet show the income needed for a term loan. The Improver adds a non-structural refurbishment period. Once agreed conditions are met, such as a run of interest payments, debt service cover and a minimum EPC rating, the loan moves onto a five-year term with Allica, avoiding a separate refinance.
Who Allica Bank suits (and who it may not)
Allica tends to suit:
- Limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and sole traders buying or refinancing investment property.
- Borrowers needing larger bridges, up to £10 million.
- Investors refurbishing residential or semi-commercial property, including commercial-to-residential conversions.
- Owner-occupier businesses and commercial investors who need time to stabilise income before a term loan.
- Borrowers who would rather move onto a long-term loan with the same bank than refinance elsewhere.
It is a poorer fit for individuals borrowing in their own name on a home they live in, trusts, loans under £150,000, ground-up development and land. It lends on first charges only, so second charge cases need another lender.
What Allica Bank looks at
Allica's criteria highlight:
- The borrower: a UK registered company, LLP, partnership or sole trader; bridge-to-term products are for limited companies and LLPs only.
- The security: a first legal charge over freehold or long leasehold property.
- The valuation: an automated valuation may be used on some lower-value residential cases, with a full RICS valuation on larger, commercial and bridge-to-term cases.
- For refurbishment: a cost plan, a competent contractor, monitoring of the works and a 12-month works window.
- For bridge-to-term: the ability to service interest and meet debt service cover and EPC conditions before the term period starts.
- The exit for standard bridges: sale or refinance.
Allica says a personal guarantee may not be needed on loans below 65% LTV.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Backed by a UK bank, with loans up to £10 million.
- Residential, semi-commercial and commercial property considered.
- Bridge-to-term products avoid a separate refinance.
- Refurbishment loans fund up to 100% of works.
- Personal guarantee may not be required at lower LTVs.
Cons
- No regulated bridging and no lending to individuals on their own homes.
- Minimum loan of £150,000.
- No ground-up development, land or second charge lending.
- Bridge-to-term products carry early repayment charges if you do not move onto the term loan.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Allica takes bridging enquiries directly and through intermediaries. Comparing it with other lenders matters because bridging costs depend on more than the rate: arrangement fees, minimum interest periods, exit fees and, for bridge-to-term, the early repayment terms if your plans change.
We search the market, present your case and approach suitable lenders, including Allica where it fits. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed. See our guide to bridge-to-term finance.
Alternatives to Allica Bank
- Shawbrook Bank: a specialist bank offering bridging, refurbishment and development finance.
- Hampshire Trust Bank: bridging, development and development exit finance from a specialist bank.
- United Trust Bank: bridging, including regulated, alongside development lending.
- Black and White Bridging: bridging, refurbishment, commercial-to-residential and land.
- Hope Capital: bridging and refurbishment, including commercial-to-residential.
Common questions
How much can Allica Bank lend on a bridge?
Allica's standard bridges run from £150,000 to £10 million, up to 75% LTV on residential and semi-commercial property and 70% on commercial, over terms of up to 24 months.
What is an Allica bridge-to-term loan?
It is a seven-year facility that starts as a two-year bridge, or refurbishment period, and moves onto a five-year term loan with Allica once agreed conditions are met, so no separate refinance is needed.
Does Allica Bank offer regulated bridging?
No. Allica's bridging products are unregulated and are for UK companies, LLPs, partnerships and sole traders, not loans on a home the borrower lives in.
Who owns Allica Bank Bridging Finance?
It is part of Allica Bank, which acquired the bridging lender Tuscan Capital in 2024. The bridging is provided by Allica Bridging Finance Limited.
Does Allica fund refurbishment works?
Yes. Allica can fund up to 100% of works on cosmetic, light and medium refurbishments, or lend on the purchase where you fund the works yourself.
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.
