Alternative Bridging Corporation is a UK principal lender offering short-term bridging loans, development finance and a revolving facility it calls the Alternative Overdraft. It says it lends its own money and has been simplifying bridging finance since 1992. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Alternative Bridging Corporation; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans and development finance. You can read more on Alternative Bridging's own website.
About Alternative Bridging Corp
Alternative Bridging Corporation describes itself as a principal lender providing made-to-measure short-term property loans to the property industry, businesses and homeowners. It says it has been active in specialist lending since 1992 and that it is directly funded, lending its own money rather than acting as a middleman.
The business trades through Alternative Bridging Corporation Limited and Alternative Bridging Corporation (Cheval) Limited, both registered in England and Wales and both authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for regulated lending. It also lists a sister company, Alternative Commercial Mortgages Limited, for longer-term commercial lending. Alternative Bridging says it is a member of the Bridging and Development Lenders Association.
Its own website places emphasis on brokers having direct access to decision makers and on what it calls dependable lending decisions.
What Alternative Bridging Corp funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Alternative Bridging's range covers most short-term property needs, with larger minimum loan sizes than many bridging lenders.
| Product | What it is for | Typical size | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential bridging (unregulated) | Purchases, refinance, light refurbishment, investment property | £250,000 to £4m | Up to 75% LTV |
| Regulated bridging | Owner-occupied homes, for example buying before selling | From £250,000 | Up to 75% LTV first charge |
| Commercial bridging | Commercial and semi-commercial property | £250,000 to £4m | Up to 70% LTV |
| Alternative Overdraft | Revolving facility: draw, repay and redraw | £250,000 to £4m | Up to 70% LTV first charge, lower on second charge |
| Heavy refurbishment | Works that need planning or building regulations | £500,000 to £3m | Up to 70% to 75% of the value after works |
| Development finance | Ground-up schemes and conversions | £500,000 to £3m (larger under its Development 90 product) | Up to 70% to 75% of GDV and up to 90% of costs |
| Regulated development | Owner-occupiers building or substantially rebuilding their home | From £500,000 | Up to 65% of GDV and 80% of costs |
Terms generally run from 3 to 24 months, with regulated loans up to 12 months. Lending is across England, Scotland and Wales. Alternative Bridging also offers an option to move some bridging and overdraft cases onto a 3 to 5 year term loan.
Its regulated bridging is a regulated mortgage contract, secured on a home the borrower or a close family member lives in. Alternative Bridging says it may accept the sale of the property as the exit, which is useful for chain breaks and downsizers. See our guide to regulated bridging loans for how these differ from investment bridging.
Who Alternative Bridging Corp suits (and who it may not)
Alternative Bridging tends to suit:
- Property investors and businesses borrowing £250,000 or more against residential or commercial property.
- Homeowners needing a regulated bridge of a meaningful size, including where the exit is a sale.
- Borrowers who want a revolving facility rather than a one-off loan, for example to buy several properties over time.
- Experienced developers with schemes from around £500,000 of borrowing.
- Self-builders and homeowners carrying out a major rebuild, through its regulated development product.
- Some borrowers with adverse credit, which it says it may consider on certain products.
It may not suit smaller loans below £250,000, first-time developers, or property types it excludes, such as pubs, bars and nightclubs, filling stations, garages, cinemas, farms, stables and kennels. Lower-value properties may be offered lower leverage.
What Alternative Bridging Corp looks at
Like most bridging lenders, Alternative Bridging assesses each case individually. Expect it to look at:
- The property: type, condition, location and value, supported by an independent valuation.
- The exit: sale, refinance onto a term mortgage, or repayment from another source, with evidence that it is realistic within the term.
- For development and heavy refurbishment: planning, costs, the build programme, the professional team and your track record.
- The borrower: identity, credit history, assets and liabilities, and for companies the directors and shareholders.
- For regulated loans: affordability and the suitability of the loan for your circumstances.
Dilapidated property is generally only considered where the loan is to fund its refurbishment.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Directly funded principal lender with a long history in bridging.
- Covers regulated and unregulated bridging, commercial, development and heavy refurbishment.
- Revolving overdraft option, which is unusual in the bridging market.
- May accept a sale exit on regulated bridging.
- Option to move onto a longer term loan on some products.
Cons
- Minimum loans of £250,000, and £500,000 for development, rule out smaller cases.
- Development finance is aimed at experienced developers.
- Second charge lending is residential only.
- A list of excluded property types, including licensed and leisure premises.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Alternative Bridging works with brokers as well as direct enquiries. Comparing first matters because leverage, fees and exit requirements vary between lenders, and a case that sits at the edge of one lender's criteria may sit comfortably with another. A regulated bridge is a regulated mortgage contract, and we will tell you at the outset if that applies and how your case will be handled.
We search the market, set Alternative Bridging alongside other suitable lenders, present your case and manage the application through to completion. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to Alternative Bridging Corp
- West One: residential, semi-commercial and development lending, including smaller loans.
- Masthaven Finance: first and second charge bridging and regulated self-build.
- Octopus Property: bridging, heavy refurbishment and development over a wide size range.
- Roma Finance: bridging, development exit and heavy refurbishment.
- Mint Property Finance: residential and commercial bridging alongside development.
Common questions
How much can I borrow from Alternative Bridging Corporation?
At the time of writing, most of its bridging loans run from £250,000 to £4 million, and development loans typically start at £500,000. The amount offered depends on the property value, the leverage available for that product and your exit.
Does Alternative Bridging offer regulated bridging loans?
Yes. It offers regulated bridging secured on a home you or a close family member live in, which is a regulated mortgage contract. It says it may accept the sale of the property as the exit.
What is the Alternative Overdraft?
It is a revolving facility secured on property that lets you draw, repay and redraw funds without a new application each time. Interest is charged on the amount drawn, and a fee applies to undrawn funds on second charge facilities.
Does Alternative Bridging lend to first-time developers?
Its development finance is aimed at experienced developers. If you are new to development, we can look at lenders that specialise in first schemes.
Which property types does Alternative Bridging not lend on?
It excludes property types such as pubs, bars and nightclubs, filling stations, garages, cinemas, farms, stables and kennels. Dilapidated property is usually only considered if the loan is to refurbish it.
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.
