Bridging, development and commercial lender StreamBank has cut its bridging finance rates, with loans now starting from 0.59%, as it targets a year of sustained growth.
Alongside the rate reduction, the bank has updated its automated valuation model (AVM) and desktop valuation criteria. AVMs will now be considered up to 75% loan-to-value in certain circumstances, and desktop valuations are available on properties worth up to £2m.
Simpler products, faster decisions
The changes are part of a broader strategy to sharpen StreamBank's offering for brokers and professional property investors at a time when bridging sector activity is strengthening. The bank recently introduced a simplified product structure intended to make its bridging range easier for brokers to navigate and place cases with confidence.
StreamBank combines AVMs, title insurance options and experienced underwriting to help brokers progress cases efficiently across its regulated and unregulated bridging range. The bank says these tools have become increasingly important as brokers handle more complex, carefully structured cases driven by planning delays, changing exit strategies and a more cautious credit environment.
New hires support growth push
The lender has also added to its team at the start of the year. Lorenzo Satchell joins as national account director, with Kendyl Binnie appointed as business development manager and Denise Davies as senior underwriter.
What this means for brokers and property investors
The rate cut and expanded valuation criteria give brokers more flexibility when structuring deals, particularly on higher-value properties where desktop valuations can help accelerate transactions. For professional property investors working against tight timescales, faster case progression and wider AVM eligibility could reduce friction at a critical point in the deal process.
"Bridging finance continues to play an important role in helping brokers and investors move quickly when opportunities arise, and we expect to see further growth in activity over the coming year," said Roz Cawood, managing director of property finance at StreamBank (pictured). "By reducing our rates and increasing the property values we will lend against, we are giving brokers greater flexibility when structuring deals for their clients."
With bridging lending volumes continuing to climb across the UK, StreamBank's rate adjustment positions it competitively as more brokers look to specialist finance to serve clients facing delays in the mainstream mortgage market. Further product and criteria updates are expected across the sector as lenders compete for broker relationships through 2025.
