ScotLend’s London BDMs on what brokers are struggling with in today’s bridging market

By Bridging Loan Directory 21st May 2026

ScotLend’s recently appointed London-based Business Development Managers, Rebecca Chapman and Guy Davison, say brokers are increasingly dealing with slower processes, tighter timelines and greater complexity across bridging transactions.

Both bring extensive experience in specialist finance and relationship-led lending. Rebecca previously worked with lenders including Ortus Secured Finance and Century Capital, while Guy’s background spans mortgages, specialist property finance, new build and business finance lending.

According to the pair, one of the biggest frustrations brokers are currently facing is the growing gap between what bridging finance is supposed to deliver and the reality of how some transactions are progressing.

“The whole point of bridging is that it’s supposed to move quickly,” Rebecca said. “But a lot of brokers feel like they’re now going through term loan processes at bridging prices.”

The pair say brokers are increasingly looking for lenders who can provide clarity early, make practical decisions quickly and maintain communication throughout the process.

“At the start of a transaction, brokers want to know where they stand as early as possible,” Guy explained. “The quicker you can provide clarity and certainty around a deal, the easier it is to keep momentum and avoid unnecessary delays later in the process.”

They also say the types of deals coming through are becoming more varied, with increasing activity around commercial property and regional opportunities as brokers and borrowers look beyond traditional hotspots.

While both are based in London, Rebecca noted that brokers are operating nationally more than ever.

“Brokers don’t limit where they do deals, so lenders need to be able to support transactions across a wide range of locations and asset types,” she said.

For ScotLend, the focus remains on assessing the strength and structure of the transaction itself rather than relying purely on postcode-driven lending decisions.

Both BDMs also highlighted the continued importance of relationships within specialist finance, particularly as transactions become more operationally demanding.

“Good communication early in the process makes a huge difference,” Guy added. “The more information lenders receive upfront, the easier it becomes to structure deals properly and identify potential issues before they become problems later.”

ScotLend said its focus remains on providing fast, practical lending decisions while continuing to support brokers across the UK on residential, commercial and specialist bridging transactions.