Boutique bridging lender WSP Capital has entered its second year ahead of its initial lending targets, following a controlled soft launch in a challenging marketplace.
WSP Capital is available exclusively through Churchbridge Capital, its origination and packaging partner. Churchbridge Capital works directly with borrowers, brokers, solicitors and professional introducers to structure urgent, complex and time-sensitive bridging and commercial finance transactions.
Established to provide a more flexible alternative to increasingly process-driven specialist lenders, WSP Capital focuses on asset-backed transactions that require experienced judgement, commercial understanding and decisive action.
WSP Capital describes itself as a genuinely non-status, director-led lending platform, designed for borrowers whose circumstances cannot be adequately represented by a conventional application form or automated credit process. Its model is intentionally straightforward: Cases are assessed on the strength of the security, the circumstances surrounding the transaction and the borrower’s realistic route to repayment.
Recent transactions demonstrate the breadth of situations the lender is prepared to consider. In one case, WSP Capital was able to structure finance for a borrower who had inherited two properties but faced a combination of inheritance-tax liabilities, a problematic tenant, unauthorised HMO use and the subdivision of one property into two flats without the necessary planning consent and the borrower facing mounting debts.
Tony White, Head of Operations & Structuring, Churchbridge Capital, said:
“Rather than rejecting the case because of its complexity, WSP Capital structured a facility capable of discharging the immediate liabilities, obtaining the necessary consents and is now funding a programme of refurbishment ahead of the proposed sale of the properties.”
In another recent transaction, the lender completed a business-purpose facility supported by third-party security over a director’s unencumbered residential property.
“Bridging finance is an excellent corrective tool. It can help borrowers resolve problems, reposition assets and move from a diOicult or imperfect situations into one from which they can refinance, sell or continue with their wider plans. If every aspect of a transaction were perfect, the borrower would probably be dealing with a mainstream bank. Our role is to understand the needs, identify what can realistically be oOered and structure a facility that helps the borrower reach a viable outcome” explains White.
Managing Director of WSP Capital, George Wall, believes that successful bridging lending in 2026 requires more than simple underwriting.
“Entrepreneurs and property owners have faced extremely difficult years. Many fundamentally viable and intelligent borrowers are still dealing with the consequences of higher interest rates, delayed sales, rising costs and the disruption that followed the pandemic. This is a market in which lenders need to combine commercial discipline with common sense. We are not here to ignore risk, but neither are we here to reject a transaction simply because it requires thought, experience, and active involvement.”
George added;
“The advantage to our clients and brokers is that our packager, Churchbridge Capital, is closely involved in the decision-making process. Together, we move very quickly, identify the genuine obstacles, and give clear answers. Although we operate with defined lending criteria, we do not allow the criteria to replace judgement. Where the security, repayment strategy and commercial rationale make sense, we are prepared to consider circumstances that many lenders would regard as too complicated.”
WSP Capital can offer up to 75% of open market value on qualifying residential and semicommercial security and may consider suitable existing valuation reports, subject to their age, scope and reliance position. The lender can also consider dual legal representation where appropriate and is able to assess cases where an existing lender, offer, valuation, or legal process is delaying or threatening an urgent completion.
