Short-term finance to cover a timing gap.
Bridging finance can cover an immediate settlement or funding need while you complete a sale, refinance or another known repayment event.
Business-purpose finance only. Funding remains subject to assessment, security and formal approval.
Short-term private finance
What bridging finance is for.
Bridging finance is designed to meet an immediate requirement while a separate repayment event is being completed.
That exit may be the sale of an asset, refinance to longer-term debt, completion of works or receipt of contracted proceeds. The facility should allow realistic time for that event—not merely the shortest possible term.
What specific event will repay the bridge, what must occur before that event can happen, and what is the fallback if the timing changes?
Potential uses
Common uses for bridging finance.
Each scenario still requires acceptable security, sufficient equity and a credible route to repayment.
Purchase before sale
Completing a commercial acquisition before the expected sale or settlement of another asset.
Refinance timing
Replacing an expiring facility while a longer-term refinance or business event is completed.
Project completion
Funding a defined final stage that enables completion, sale, lease-up or longer-term finance.
Urgent settlement
Meeting a genuine transaction deadline where conventional approval timing is not workable.
Lender assessment
The lender will focus on how the bridge is repaid.
A strong bridge scenario connects the immediate purpose to an evidence-based repayment plan, with enough margin for costs and delays.
The amount, deadline and commercial consequence of not completing.
Property value, existing debt, mortgage priority and net equity.
Evidence supporting the expected sale, refinance or receipt.
The plan if valuation, approval, completion or settlement takes longer.
Allow for delays
Choose a term that gives the exit enough time.
A short nominal term may appear cheaper but become expensive if an extension is required. Compare the base case and the delayed-exit case before commitment.
Terms to examine before commitment
- Minimum interest
Understand whether early repayment changes the amount payable.
- Extension rights
Confirm whether an extension is available, who controls it and what it costs.
- Default triggers
Review events that change pricing or allow enforcement.
- Net settlement funds
Allow for retained interest, fees, legal costs and existing debt payouts.
Prepare the scenario
What to have ready.
The provider needs to understand today's deadline and the future event expected to repay the facility.
- Contract, settlement notice or evidence of the immediate requirement
- Property details, ownership and existing mortgage statements
- Valuation information or recent comparable evidence where available
- Sale contract, refinance position or other evidence of exit
- Timeline showing approvals, works or conditions still outstanding
- Cost schedule and required net proceeds
- Contingency plan for a delayed exit
Common questions
Bridging finance FAQs.
How long is a bridging facility?
Terms vary by provider and scenario. The appropriate term should reflect the evidence-based exit timeline plus reasonable contingency, rather than an arbitrary short period.
Can interest be retained at settlement?
Some structures allow interest or costs to be deducted from the gross facility. This reduces net funds available and must be included in the funding calculation.
Is a signed sale contract required?
Not in every scenario, but the strength of the exit evidence materially affects lender appetite and structure. An expected sale without supporting evidence should not be treated as certain.
What happens if the exit is delayed?
The answer depends on the facility. Extension fees, higher interest or default provisions may apply, which is why the delayed-exit case should be examined before proceeding.
Tell us what needs to happen now—and what repays the loan.
Include the settlement date, property available and expected sale or refinance timing.