For many firms a bridging loan is often time critical, but the administering can cause delays and lose deals.

It was for this reason that the entrepreneurial Binning and Thind families launched Kuflink Bridging during the credit crisis in 2008.

All the mainstream banks had stopped lending money and some very good businesses needed money for growth, while others needed capital to survive.

This need was identified and the process was started to form the current Gravesend bridging finance company.

Asked what sets the company above the services of the high street banks, chief executive Tarlochan Garcha said: “Our unique selling point is timing. Our average loan is drawn down in around 10 days.

“The quickest we have drawn a secured loan is three days. No high street bank can come even close to that. In many instances clients need money and need it quick for whatever reason.”

While the financial services sector has had a turbulent period, Kuflink Bridging has managed to grow year on year for the past four years and now has a staff of 21 at its Dering Way office.

Looking at the current state of the financial sector, Mr Garcha went on to say: “Since Brexit, we hear that the mainstream banks and some larger bridging companies have tightened their lending criteria.

“However the demand is still there and this is a sector that the UK and especially Kent heavily relies on.

“The barriers to entry are high given its regulation but that is a good thing as we don’t need any reckless lending.

“Furthermore the fintech sector comprising companies that use technology to make
financial services more efficient, is a rapidly growing area and we at Kuflink Bridging are
about to launch our own FCA-regulated peer-to-peer lending site for both investors to earn a high rate of interest and borrowers to raise funds.”

The Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards are supported by the Messenger and each entrant gets a free profile in our papers and online.

If you would like to enter this year’s awards, enter online at www.dgbawards.co.uk by the end of today, Friday, August 19.

This year’s sponsors are: Barnes Roffe, Dartford council, Gravesham council, KM Media Group, Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, University of Greenwich and JonesFM.