Understanding credit scores and how they affect bridging: a guide for brokers

Bridging finance is all about speed, flexibility, and finding creative solutions. But when credit scores come into play, it can sometimes throw up certain questions, especially for brokers trying to steer their clients through a variety of complex scenarios.

Understanding credit scores and how they affect bridging loans can make a big difference to how deals are structured, how quickly they progress, and what options are realistically on the table. It also helps you give clients the clarity they need when it comes to their finances and the road ahead.

Why brokers should care about credit scores

A credit score is essentially a snapshot of someone’s financial history. It reflects how consistently a person has borrowed and repaid money over time, including things like loans, credit cards, and even phone bills. The higher the score, the more financially reliable they’re seen to be, at least in the eyes of most lenders. Scores usually fall between 300 and 850, and anything over 700 is generally classed as ‘good’. A score above 800 might open the door to more favourable terms, while anything under 600 could raise some red flags.

It’s important to remember that credit scores are just one part of the story. They don’t reflect current income, savings, or the value of a security property, which are all things that matter hugely in bridging finance. But for lenders, especially when looking at time-sensitive deals or clients with complex backgrounds, a credit score offers a quick sense check of how someone has handled credit in the past.

What can make or break a client’s credit score?

Even the most experienced clients sometimes get caught out by what affects their score. Here are three main areas to keep an eye on:

• Payment history – have they missed or made late payments on loans, credit cards or bills?
• Credit usage – are they maxing out what’s available to them?
• New applications – too many in a short space of time can drag the score down

It’s also worth flagging to clients that errors on their credit file are surprisingly common and can be fixed if spotted early.

How lenders view credit scores in bridging

Every lender is different, but most will use a credit score to help assess risk, even if it’s not the only factor.

Bridging lenders often place more weight on the security property and the exit plan. But they’ll still look at things like:

• Defaults, CCJs or a history of late payments.
• Whether the borrower has managed bridging finance before.
• Their overall financial footprint and level of debt.

Rather than being a deal-breaker, a weaker credit score might just change how the deal is structured, perhaps with more security or a lower LTV. In many cases, specialist bridging loans for complex cases are still available, depending on the strength of the wider deal.

Having honest conversations with clients

Having honest conversations with clients is a big part of the broker role, especially when it comes to credit. Managing expectations early can help prevent surprises later and make the whole process run more smoothly. It’s worth explaining that a low credit score doesn’t necessarily mean a flat “no” from lenders. Often, it just means “not yet” or “not on standard terms.” Pre-qualification checks can help flag potential issues before a full application is submitted, saving time and setting realistic expectations.

Here at Alternative Bridging Corporation, we take a more flexible view on complex credit profiles. In many cases, the strength of the asset and a clear exit strategy can outweigh a patchy financial past. A bit of transparency upfront really does go a long way in building trust and helping clients feel supported throughout the journey.

What to do if a client is refused

If a client hits a bump in the road, there’s still plenty you can do to help them get back on track. A few small steps can often make a big difference over time.

Encourage your clients to:

• Pay off or reduce high-interest debts.
• Hold off on applying for new credit cards or loans.
• Check their credit file for errors and get them corrected.
• Make consistent, on-time payments moving forward.

You could also point them towards free advice services like Citizens Advice, which can be a helpful starting point.

Potential checklist: talking credit with bridging clients

• Have they checked their credit score recently?
• Are there any red flags like CCJs or defaults?
• Is their income straightforward or a little more complex?
• Have they used bridging before, and if so, how did it go?
• Do they have a clear exit route?
• Could a specialist bridging lender be a better fit?

We are here when things get complicated

At Alternative Bridging Corporation, we know that real life doesn’t always come with a perfect credit score. That’s why we take a case-by-case view — looking at the bigger picture, not just the numbers.

Whether your client has a solid credit history or a few past issues, we’re here to help you find a way forward. With decades of experience and a flexible approach, we’ll work with you to get the deal done. Explore our bridging loan products or get in touch with our team to talk through your next case.