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Private credit glossary · Data updated Oct 27, 2026

What is bridge financing?

Bridge financing is short-term debt — typically 6 to 24 months — that funds a borrower until a specific longer-term event happens, such as a refinance, sale, or equity raise.

278

active Bridge funds in this site's database

$5M–$75M

median confirmed check size, from 64 source-confirmed ranges

How it works

  • Underwritten against the exit event, not long-term cash flow.
  • Priced above permanent debt because of speed and short duration.
  • Often interest-only with a balloon at the exit.

When borrowers use it

  • Acquiring an asset before permanent financing or a sale closes.
  • Covering a timing gap in a refinance, recap, or project milestone.

Related terms

What is senior debtWhat is real estate debtWhat is asset-based lending (ABL)

Go deeper

Lender lists, answers and guides for Bridge

Lender directory

Bridge lenders · 278Bridge · Real Estate · 170Bridge · Technology · 161Bridge · Manufacturing · 129Bridge · Healthcare · 122Bridge · Energy · 117Bridge · Infrastructure · 117

Answers

How many bridge lenders are there?Who are the bridge lenders?What check size do bridge lenders write?

Guides

Bank Turndown AlternativesRefinancing GuideFast-Close Private Credit Lenders

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