Momenta Finance is a specialist SME lender that also funds property: bridging for purchases, refurbishment, equity release and development exit, and development finance for new residential and semi-commercial schemes. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Momenta Finance; it is one of the lenders we compare for bridging loans. You can read more on Momenta Finance's own website.
About Momenta Finance
Momenta Finance is the trading name of Merchant Money Limited, a company registered in England with offices in London. It launched in 2013 and says it has supported around 2,500 SMEs. It is a non-bank lender, and it says the British Business Bank has accredited it for government-backed business lending.
Most of Momenta's lending is business finance, including unsecured and secured business loans and commercial mortgages. Its property team adds bridging and development finance for investors and developers, which it describes as tailored lending designed around the deal.
Momenta's bridging is business lending: it does not accept a borrower's main home as security, so it does not offer regulated bridging.
What Momenta Finance funds
At the time of writing (October 2026), Momenta's published criteria are:
| Product | What it is for | Size and term | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridging loan | Purchases, equity release, light refurbishment and development exit on residential and mixed-use property | £200,000 to £5m, up to 24 months | Up to 75% gross LTV or LTGDV on residential |
| Development finance | New residential or semi-commercial construction, refurbishment of residential property and development exit | £200,000 to £4m, up to 24 months | Up to 75% LTV and 85% of costs |
Bridging is secured by a first legal charge, with personal guarantees as required. Mixed-use property is accepted where the commercial part is under 25% of the value on bridging, or under 30% on development. Interest can be rolled up for the term, subject to leverage, or serviced from rental income. Momenta values on open market value and considers below-market purchases.
Development loans are drawn in tranches against monitoring surveyor reports and need full planning consent and the borrower's equity in first. See our guides to development exit finance and semi-commercial bridging.
Who Momenta Finance suits (and who it may not)
Momenta tends to suit:
- Property companies, partnerships, LLPs and sole proprietors with a track record in UK property development, investment or management.
- Borrowers in Scotland or Northern Ireland as well as England and Wales.
- Investors raising equity from existing residential or mixed-use property.
- Developers needing exit finance on completed schemes, or smaller development loans from £200,000.
- Businesses that may also want a secured or unsecured business loan from the same lender.
It may not suit first-time investors or developers, homeowners needing a regulated bridge, non-UK domiciled borrowers, loans below £200,000, fully commercial property, or schemes without full planning.
What Momenta Finance looks at
Momenta sets out clear eligibility rules:
- A demonstrable track record in UK property development, investment or management, with a summary for development loans.
- A full RICS valuation, instructed by and addressed to Momenta.
- A clear exit through sale or refinance onto longer-term debt.
- For development: full planning consent, equity committed before funds are released, and monitoring surveyor sign-off on each tranche.
- UK-domiciled borrowers, with personal guarantees from related individuals where needed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lends across the whole UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Bridging and development finance from £200,000.
- Values on open market value, with below-market purchases considered.
- Rolled or serviced interest.
- Established non-bank lender with wider business lending.
Cons
- Experienced borrowers only.
- No regulated bridging and no main-residence security.
- Residential and mixed-use only, with limits on the commercial share.
- UK-domiciled borrowers only.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Momenta works with introducers as well as directly. Comparing first matters because the right lender depends on location, property type and experience, and borrowers in Scotland or Northern Ireland in particular have fewer options. A broker can check whether Momenta's terms compare well with lenders that value differently or lend at higher leverage.
We search the market, set Momenta 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 Momenta Finance
- ScotLend: a Scottish bridging lender also covering England and Wales.
- Novellus: bridging and development, including Northern Ireland.
- Funding 365: bridging and development, including Northern Ireland.
- Glenhawk: bridging for investors and developers.
- TAB: short-term property lending from £100,000.
Common questions
How much can I borrow on a Momenta Finance bridging loan?
At the time of writing, Momenta's bridging loans run from £200,000 to £5 million, up to 75% gross LTV on residential property, for up to 24 months.
Does Momenta lend in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Yes. Momenta's bridging and development finance cover England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Does Momenta lend to first-time investors?
Momenta asks borrowers to show a good track record in UK property development, investment or management.
Can I use my home as security with Momenta?
No. Momenta does not accept a primary residence as security, so it does not offer regulated bridging.
Does Momenta offer development finance?
Yes. It lends £200,000 to £4 million, up to 75% LTV and 85% of costs, on schemes with full planning consent.
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.
