Black & White Bridging

About Black & White Bridging

Black & White Bridging has deep roots in the UK specialist lending market. The business was established as Bath & West Finance in 2013 by Martyn Smith, whose history in bridging goes back considerably further — his earlier business, Bridgingloans.com, became the first bridging lender to float on AIM in 2000. That depth of experience shaped B&W's founding philosophy: transparent lending, no upfront fees, no hidden charges, and no last-minute repricing.

The 2021 rebrand to Black & White was more than cosmetic. It marked a deliberate shift to national ambition, with new offices opening in London and Manchester to sit alongside the original Bristol headquarters. Since then, the lender has passed £270 million in cumulative lending, with £125 million written in the 12 months to mid-2025 alone — a record first quarter followed by record second quarter growth.

The lender is a member of the ASTL and works exclusively through intermediaries. Their proposition to brokers is built around certainty: what they quote is what they lend, and they don't move the goalposts.

Bridging Loans from Black & White Bridging

B&W offers loans from £50,000 to £5 million, with terms up to 18 months and LTVs up to 75%. Rates start from 0.69% per month. All products are unregulated first charge loans covering England and Wales. The lender does not charge upfront fees and does not carry any exit fees.

Product Range

• Residential Bridge – The core product for purchase, refinance and capital raise on residential investment properties.
• Refurbishment Bridge – For light upgrades through to significant renovation, providing capital before the borrower arranges long-term finance.
• Commercial Bridge – Covering semi-commercial, full commercial and land transactions, representing around a fifth of all loans written.
• Development Finance – Ground-up development and major conversion projects.
• Development Exit – For completed projects where the borrower needs time to sell or refinance without the cost of a live development facility.

How to Apply with Black & White Bridging

All business is introduced through commercial finance intermediaries. The team operates through dedicated Lending Managers who are directly contactable and available throughout the deal. With offices in Bristol, London and Manchester, there's a regional presence to support brokers across the country.