In Q3 2025, completions reached £2.5bn, up 9.6% on Q2 and 42% higher than the same period in 2024. Applications rose to £11.4bn, an 11.8% rise on the quarter while total loan books hit a record £13.7bn, more than 50% higher than September 2024.

At OMS, we see the same pattern in our own data. Between January and October 2025, our platform recorded 1,849 bridging completions, a 12.5% increase on the same period in 2024. That is not a short-term spike: it reflects a sector that has grown in scale and maturity and that now relies on technology in a way it did not just a few years ago.

A market that has moved from niche to core

For many, the turning point came with Covid-19.

The pandemic brought challenges that even flexible firms were not ready for. In particular, it showed how fragile server-based technology could be. When offices closed, some teams could not reach the systems that held their cases because those systems were still tied to a physical location.

Covid also taught us that once-in-a-lifetime events may not be quite so rare. The next disruption may look very different, so the answer cannot be “we can work remotely now, so we are safe”. The answer has to be a deeper level of flexibility in how brokers and lenders run their whole process.

From clunky systems to configurable platforms

Historically, technology platforms struggled with the realities of bridging and commercial finance. Cases often need rapid decisions, bespoke terms and a very close look at the details behind a deal. Trying to mirror that with rigid, off-the-shelf software led to workarounds and frustration.

API-driven application submissions, instant sourcing and two-way data exchange mean a broker can now move from enquiry to submission without leaving the CRM platform. But the gain is not only about speed; a good CRM supports advice quality, compliance and retention as well. Brokers can track milestones, set automated updates, and keep all of their case data in one place while still staying responsive to each client. That makes it easier to demonstrate Consumer Duty standards throughout the client journey, not just at one stage.

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The new backbone of origination for lenders and speed

On the lender side, the shift has been just as clear. Our origination platform is now used by lenders such as Nomo, MT Finance and Market Financial Solutions to support that kind of flexibility. Scalable architecture, modular features and built-in controls mean lenders can launch new products or adjust criteria without starting from scratch each time.

We often talk about “better systems” or “smoother processes” but the real test is what happens to actual case times. OMS data shows that application-to-completion times in bridging fell from 58 days in 2023 to 47 days in 2024, a reduction of around 23%.

Combine that with the increase in completions we see across our platform and another point becomes clear. Technology is not simply helping firms keep up with higher demand — it is enabling them to grow without losing control.

Data standards are easing pressure on the whole chain

Technology within a lender or broker is only one part of the story.

This is why the work of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) matters. OPDA aims to standardise and digitise property data, cutting out duplication and making it easier for all parties in a transaction to rely on the same trusted information.

Being the first intermediary voice on OPDA’s executive committee gives us at OMS a clear view of the pain points across the property chain and how shared data standards can ease them.

What this means for brokers and lenders

For brokers, it means using technology to cut back on manual admin, reduce errors and strengthen compliance checks, while also improving client contact and fee collection. It also means capturing richer client data at the start, so future needs can be met more easily.

For lenders, it means originations systems that can support new specialist lines without months of development, and can adapt to regulatory change without constant disruption for staff. It also means closer digital links with key broker partners, so data flows cleanly in both directions.

Covid may have forced the first big shift to cloud and remote working, but the real opportunity now is broader. It is about building a market where bridging can grow in size and importance.