Recognise Bank Builds Loan Partnership with Galliard Homes

New facility has already delivered £10m in bridging finance for a range of property deals

Recognise Bank has agreed a multi-million pound “loan on loan” partnership with bridging loan specialist, Reflex Bridging, which is run by property developer Galliard Homes.

Under the facility, Recognise will part-fund a number of Reflex’s bridging loans, with the bank already providing in excess of £10m in funding. The deals completed so far cover a range of commercial premises and residential properties, with more in the pipeline.

Reflex Bridging was set up and is run by senior executive directors at Galliard Homes, Stephen Conway, Executive Chairman, Jonathan Morgan, Director of Investment and Developments, and David Hirschfield, Legal Director. In two years, Reflex Bridging has made 45 loans totalling £113 million – each with asset backed security – with a strong pipeline of new and repeat borrowers supporting future growth.

David Hirschfield, on behalf of Reflex Bridging, said: “While maintaining a competitive rate at attractive gearing levels, Recognise has been able to conclude each funding at speed. Helping to get acquisitions completed quickly and satisfying the needs of our ultimate borrowers is of vital importance to Reflex.”

Jonathan Morgan, on behalf of Reflex Bridging, said “In a short space of time Recognise has demonstrated to us that it understands the property sector and our business model. That know-how, plus the flexibility of the bridging facility, really underpins our trust in Recognise Bank as a new funding partner.”

Ben Peters, Head of Growth, Recognise Bank, who is managing the relationship with Galliard and Reflex, said: “Personal relationships are vital to Recognise, and the new partnership with Galliard and Reflex exemplifies the value and importance of our approach.

“Reflex needs to act fast on acquisitions and by working with us they know we completely understand their needs and will be able to move quickly and efficiently to support their bridging loan requirements.”

Recognise Bank was created to serve SMEs that are being ignored by the big banks, and offers a range of unregulated business lending, including Commercial Mortgages, Bridging Loans, Professional Buy-to-Let Loans, Working Capital Loans and Professional Practice Loans.

The Bank has a network of Business Development Managers and supporting teams, including regional underwriters, in hubs in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. This personal relationship approach is supported by cloud-based banking technology to provide quick lending decisions, giving borrowers fast access to their funds.

Steve Pateman

Steve has had an extensive executive career in banking, leading corporate and commercial banking businesses at RBS/NatWest, managing Santander’s UK banking businesses and as CEO of Shawbrook Bank, Hodge Banking Group and most recently successfully leading the banking licence application for StreamBank.

He is a non-executive Director at Bank of Ireland both in the UK and Dublin and Thin Cats, a specialist SME lending business and is retained as an advisor to Black Lion Ventures. He was previously President of the Chartered Banker Institute.

Steve took up the role of Chair (subject to regulatory approval) at Recognise Bank in November 2024, having served as an Investor Non-Executive Director since January 2024.