A Midlands-based logistics start-up approached Somo for a Secured Business Loan after encountering a short-term cash flow challenge during a critical stage of its growth journey. Having been trading for just five months, the business had already secured a major contract that represented a significant opportunity to establish itself in a competitive market. The contract had the potential to generate substantial revenue and provide a strong platform for future growth. However,

The Challenge A UK manufacturing company approached Somo after securing a significant new contract that presented an exciting opportunity for growth. The contract had the potential to increase revenue, strengthen customer relationships and create a platform for future expansion, but there was one major challenge: the business needed to upgrade its machinery immediately to meet production requirements and fulfil the order on time. Like many growing businesses, the company's ca

The Opportunity A fast-growing wholesale swimwear business required £85,000 to help prepare for its busiest trading period of the year. The business was experiencing strong demand from retailers ahead of the summer season and needed additional funding to: Purchase extra stock before peak demand arrived Cover unexpected increases in supplier and operating costs Pay several outstanding business bills Maintain healthy cash flow during a critical growth period Although the busine

The Opportunity A growing Birmingham-based law firm identified an opportunity to purchase new premises on the same business park as its existing offices, supporting its long-term expansion strategy and creating additional space for its growing team. The acquisition represented an important step in the firm's development, allowing it to secure a property that aligned with its future growth ambitions. Obtaining funding through traditional channels proved challenging. The bank's

The Deal A property investor required funding to support a time-sensitive business opportunity but wanted to avoid redeeming the competitive first charge mortgage already secured against their property. The client had approached several lenders, however concerns around consent to a second charge and the borrower’s circumstances meant the deal had stalled. Working with the broker, Somo reviewed the full position - focusing on the strength of the underlying asset and the borrow

The Deal An experienced property investor, who had previously worked with Somo, wanted to purchase a mixed-use commercial property in the Midlands, at a significant discount to its Open Market Value following a period of under-management by the previous owner. The asset comprised ground-floor commercial space with a 2-bedroom flat above, and the investor’s strategy was to improve occupancy, carry out light refurbishment works and stabilise the income, before refinancing onto

The Deal Two Hong Kong-based directors were acquiring a commercial property in Manchester city centre, with a renovation team ready to begin works. Timing was critical. However, delays in obtaining a formal credit report meant they were unable to proceed with their original low-rate funding option. Recognising the urgency, Somo pivoted quickly to our Valuation Only™ product, enabling lending based on the strength of the asset at up to 70% LTV without requiring the outstanding

The Deal Mr and Mrs M required £255,000 in working capital over a 12-month term, secured against their main residence. However, recent County Court Judgments meant they had already been declined elsewhere, and a traditional affordability-led route simply wasn’t viable. Rather than focus on historic credit events, Somo assessed the strength of the security and structured a second charge Valuation Only™ loan at up to 70% LTV. By lending against asset value, we were able to prov

The Deal A property investor approached Somo needing £540,000 to secure a mixed-use building at auction in the North West. The opportunity was strong and well priced with scope to increase value through light refurbishment. But there were complications: Tight 28-day auction deadline Historic adverse credit from a previous business venture and a complex income structure Refurbishment element requiring a flexible exit plan At Somo, every credit status is considered. Why make fi

What is an Adverse Credit Bridging Loan? An adverse credit bridging loan is a short-term, property-backed loan designed for borrowers who may not meet traditional lending criteria due to their credit history. Unlike many banks and mainstream lenders, alternative lenders can take a more flexible approach, looking beyond credit scores to assess the overall strength of the deal. At Somo, lending decisions are primarily based on the value of the security property and the proposed

Somo is bringing back its standout Black Friday promotion for one month only this May, following overwhelming demand and broker feedback from last year’s campaign. Running from Tuesday 5th May to midnight Friday 29th May 2026, the offer gives brokers and their clients the flexibility to choose where they save the most:

For landlords navigating today's turbulent property landscape, a landlord loan in the form of a bridging facility can provide exactly what the market demands: speed, liquidity, and breathing space.

While much of the market reports smaller loan sizes and slower deal flow, Somo is telling a very different story. The specialist lender has announced its strongest quarter on record , alongside its biggest ever month for completions with every member of the sales team exceeding their targets and average deal sizes increasing. The performance marks a major lending milestone for the business, setting the stage for it to double in size by 2028. At a time when brokers are navigat

Summary Somo provided a £1,645,000 bridging loan at 70% loan-to-value (LTV) to refinance an expiring loan on a converted London mansion. The borrower required an additional nine months to market and sell the property after their existing lender declined to extend the term at the same interest rate. Using Somo’s Standard Bridge product, the refinance was completed in 14 working days, repaying the outgoing lender and releasing £100,000 in additional capital for the borrower to

Record-breaking ‘lock-ins’ mark a 16% uplift on previous personal best We've just recorded our strongest month for sales since launch, completing our highest ever number of lock-ins in February - a 16% uplift on our previous record - as broker demand for fast, pragmatic funding solutions continues to grow. This milestone followed the launch of Landlord’s Breathing Space, our refinancing product designed to help landlords restructure short-term funding pressures. Despite launc

About Jade Keval Jade Keval, Sales Director here at Somo recently spoke to Bridging and Commercial to share her perspective on mentorship, training and the importance of widening access to specialist finance careers to mark International Women’s Day. Working closely with brokers and direct clients, Jade, and he sales team, focuses on building strong commercial relationships while supporting the development of future talent within the specialist finance sector. One of the key

A well-established rural business in Worcestershire required a structured refinance to protect trading continuity and redeem an outgoing facility that no longer suited its needs. The Challenge The priority was clear but time-sensitive: refinance cleanly, maintain operational stability and avoid disruption to day-to-day trading. The complexity lay not just in the refinance itself, but in the nature of the security and the coordination required to execute it cleanly. The securi

But making bridging easier doesn’t just come down to great products, it’s about our people - people who understand the detail, the regulation, the structuring, the risk and the relationships that sit behind every deal. That’s why we built the Somo Sales Training Academy.

TL;DR A well-established day nursery in Hertfordshire needed urgent funding to replace an unsuitable short-term facility, meet payroll deadlines, and inject working capital to support growth. Somo structured and delivered a 12-month first charge bridging loan using third-party residential security. Overview Location: Hertfordshire, UK Facility: 12-month first charge bridging loan Gross loan: £260,000 (net £218,270) Security: Director’s mother’s residential property (third-par

Somo has launched the Landlord’s Breathing Space Loan - a property-backed bridging loan for landlords facing Renters’ Rights Act 2025 changes. Get up to 24 months with no monthly payments, loans from £25k–£3m, flexible exits, and asset-led decisions to stabilise cashflow, clear arrears, fund works or refinance.