Catalyst, also known as Catalyst Property Finance, is a principal lender of specialist short-term property finance. Its range covers bridging, auction finance, development exit and finish-and-exit loans, refurbishment from light to heavy works, and ground-up development on smaller residential schemes, all in England and Wales. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Catalyst, so we can compare its terms with other bridging and refurbishment lenders. You can read more on Catalyst's own website.
About Catalyst
Catalyst says it was established in 2017 as a specialist lender of short-term, unregulated property finance, and it is based in Bournemouth, Dorset. It was founded by a former intermediary with the aim of building a lender focused on bridging, and it describes itself as led by an experienced management team that uses technology to save time in the lending process.
Catalyst is a non-bank lender and states that all its products are unregulated. It says it has funded hundreds of properties across England and Wales.
Catalyst is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans, refurbishment finance and development exit finance.
What Catalyst funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Catalyst's product guide sets out these broad criteria:
| Product | Maximum leverage | Loan size | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential bridging | Up to 80% of open market value | £100,000 to £20 million, up to £5 million per title | Up to 24 months |
| Semi-commercial bridging (residential over half the floor area) | Up to 75% | As above | Up to 24 months |
| Commercial property pre-planning, with a clear residential opportunity | Up to 70% | As above | Up to 24 months |
| Development exit and finish and exit | Up to 80% | As above | Up to 24 months |
| Refurbishment: light, moderate and heavy | Up to 80% of day-one value and 75% of GDV (lower for heavy) | As above | Up to 24 months |
| Ground-up development (up to 20 units) | Up to 65% of GDV and 85% of costs | £250,000 to £5 million | Up to 24 months |
Bridging can be used for purchases, refinances, capital raising, auction purchases and below market value purchases, which Catalyst may fund up to 90% of cost or 80% of value, whichever is lower. Borrowers can carry out modest self-funded works alongside a bridge.
Refurbishment is split by the cost of works: light works up to 50% of value, moderate works from 50% to 100% of value, and heavy works above that, with footprint expansion and commercial-to-residential conversion considered. Catalyst can fund up to 100% of works in arrears. Ground-up development covers residential and mixed-use schemes with strong demand, and Catalyst says planning uplift may count towards your equity.
Who Catalyst suits (and who it may not)
Catalyst tends to suit:
- Investors and developers in England and Wales who need high leverage on a bridge, up to 80% of value.
- Developers needing a finish and exit or development exit loan to repay build finance while units sell.
- Refurbishers at every level, from cosmetic works to heavy conversions.
- First-time developers on refurbishment, which Catalyst says it considers.
- Borrowers with some adverse credit on a standard bridge.
- Experienced developers or contractors with ground-up schemes of up to 20 units.
It is a poorer fit for regulated bridging on a home you live in, property in Scotland or Northern Ireland, land without a clear residential plan, and ground-up developers without experience. Larger ground-up schemes above £5 million need another lender.
What Catalyst looks at
Catalyst's criteria highlight:
- The borrower: UK individuals, limited companies and LLPs and offshore companies, with trusts considered, and a three-year address history.
- Credit history: its bridging criteria allow some recent CCJs and missed payments, with older bankruptcy or IVAs that have been discharged; refurbishment and development want a cleaner record.
- Experience: for the highest refurbishment leverage, a record of similar schemes; for ground-up development, an experienced developer or contractor.
- For refurbishment, that at least one original wall remains, and a monitoring report on the works.
- For development, strong local sales or rental demand, personal guarantees and cover for cost overruns.
- The exit: sale or refinance onto a term mortgage.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bridging up to 80% of open market value on residential property.
- No early repayment charges after one month's minimum interest on bridges.
- Loans up to £20 million across a portfolio.
- Light, moderate and heavy refurbishment, with up to 100% of works funded.
- First-time developers considered on refurbishment.
- Some adverse credit accepted on bridging.
Cons
- England and Wales only.
- No regulated bridging.
- Maximum £5 million per title.
- Ground-up development is for experienced borrowers and capped at 20 units.
- Higher leverage bands are priced above lower LTVs.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Catalyst works with brokers and with borrowers. Going direct gives you its terms only. Bridging and refurbishment pricing at Catalyst rises with leverage, so it is worth checking whether a slightly lower loan, or another lender, would cost less overall once fees and minimum interest are included.
We search the market, present your case and approach suitable lenders, including Catalyst where it fits. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed. See our guides to bridging loans and heavy refurbishment finance.
Alternatives to Catalyst
- LendHub: bridging, refurbishment and finish-and-exit lending, including commercial-to-residential.
- Hope Capital: bridging and refurbishment, including commercial-to-residential.
- Funding 365: investment bridging, refurbishment and ground-up loans with no exit fees.
- Colenko: bridging, development exit and finish-and-exit loans.
- Ultimate Finance: bridging, refurbishment and development exit lending.
Common questions
What is the maximum LTV on a Catalyst bridge?
Catalyst lends up to 80% of open market value on residential bridges, 75% on semi-commercial property, and 70% on commercial property bought pre-planning with a clear residential opportunity.
Does Catalyst charge early repayment fees?
Catalyst's bridging and refurbishment loans have no early repayment charges, subject to a minimum of one month's interest.
Does Catalyst fund first-time developers?
Catalyst says first-time developers are considered on its refurbishment finance. Its ground-up development finance is for experienced developers or contractors.
Does Catalyst offer development exit finance?
Yes. Catalyst offers development exit and finish-and-exit bridging up to 80% LTV, allowing a small amount of remaining works.
Where does Catalyst lend?
Catalyst lends on property in England and Wales only.
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.
