Frequently Asked Questions

A commercial finance broker acts as an intermediary between businesses seeking funding and lenders. We work on your behalf to find the most suitable finance solutions from our panel of lenders, saving you time and often securing better terms than you might find going directly to a single lender.

Unlike banks who can only offer their own products, we have access to a wide panel of lenders including banks, alternative lenders, and specialist finance providers. This means we can compare options across the market to find the best solution for your specific needs and circumstances.

We are typically paid a commission by the lender when a deal completes successfully. In some cases, there may be a broker fee which will always be disclosed upfront before you proceed. We believe in complete transparency about all costs involved.

We work with businesses of all sizes across virtually every sector, from sole traders and SMEs to larger established companies. Whether you're a start-up, growing business, or established enterprise, we can help find appropriate funding solutions.

Invoice finance allows you to release cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Instead of waiting 30, 60, or 90 days for customers to pay, you can access up to 90% of the invoice value within 24 hours. This helps maintain healthy cashflow and supports business growth.

Asset finance enables you to spread the cost of purchasing business equipment, vehicles, or machinery over time. Options include hire purchase, finance lease, and operating lease arrangements. This preserves your working capital while acquiring essential assets.

A bridging loan is short-term secured finance, typically used for property purchases or developments. It 'bridges' the gap when you need funds quickly, perhaps before selling another property or securing longer-term finance. Terms usually range from 1 to 24 months.

Unsecured loans don't require property or assets as security. They're typically faster to arrange and based primarily on your business performance and trading history. Amounts usually range from £1,000 to £500,000 depending on the lender and your circumstances.

A revolving credit facility works like an overdraft or credit card for your business. You have an agreed credit limit and only pay interest on what you borrow. As you repay, the funds become available to borrow again, providing flexible ongoing access to working capital.

A merchant cash advance provides funding based on your future card payment revenue. Repayments are taken as a small percentage of your daily card sales, so they flex with your business performance. This is popular with retail and hospitality businesses.

Development finance is specialist funding for property development projects, from ground-up new builds to major refurbishments and conversions. Lenders typically fund a percentage of land purchase and build costs, with funds released in stages as the project progresses. It's suitable for experienced developers and those entering development with the right project and team in place.

Timescales vary depending on the type of finance and complexity. Unsecured loans can be approved within 24-48 hours. Asset finance typically takes 2-5 working days. Secured lending and property finance may take 2-6 weeks depending on valuation and legal requirements.

Requirements vary by lender and finance type, but typically include: 3-6 months of business bank statements, recent management accounts or filed accounts, proof of identity, and details of the funding purpose. We'll guide you through exactly what's needed for your application.

Initial enquiries typically involve a 'soft' credit check which doesn't affect your score. A full credit search is only conducted once you've agreed to proceed with a specific lender. We always inform you before any hard credit checks are performed.

Being declined by one lender doesn't mean you can't get funding elsewhere. Different lenders have different criteria and appetites. Our role is to understand why you were declined and find alternative lenders who may be more suitable for your circumstances.

Yes, there are lenders who specialise in working with businesses whose directors have impaired credit. While options may be more limited and rates higher, we can often find solutions. The key factors are usually your current trading performance and ability to repay.

Requirements vary by lender and product. Some unsecured lenders require just 6 months trading history, while others require 2+ years. For secured lending, requirements are often more flexible. Start-up finance is also available in certain circumstances.

Many business finance products require a personal guarantee from directors. This means you're personally liable if the business can't repay. Some unsecured options and certain asset finance products may not require guarantees. We can advise on your options.

Yes, sole traders can access many types of business finance including unsecured loans, asset finance, and invoice finance. The application process may differ slightly from limited companies, but we work with many sole traders and can guide you through the process.

Simply contact us via phone, email, or our online enquiry form. We'll have an initial conversation to understand your needs, then guide you through the options available. There's no obligation, and our initial consultation is completely free.

Absolutely. We take data protection seriously and comply fully with GDPR. Your information is only shared with lenders you've agreed to approach, and we never sell your data to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes, we regularly help businesses refinance existing facilities to secure better rates, consolidate multiple debts, or release equity. We can review your current arrangements and advise whether refinancing would benefit your business.

There are many types of commercial finance available including term loans, commercial mortgages, asset finance, invoice finance, bridging loans, lines of credit, merchant cash advances, and revolving credit facilities. Each serves different business needs, and we can help identify which options are most suitable for your specific situation.

The best finance option depends on your specific goal. For property purchases, commercial mortgages or bridging loans work well. For equipment, asset finance is ideal. For cashflow, invoice finance or revolving credit may suit. For expansion or working capital, term loans or unsecured lending could be appropriate. We'll discuss your goals and recommend the most suitable options.

Maximum LTV varies by product and lender. Commercial mortgages typically offer up to 75% LTV, though some specialist lenders may go higher. Bridging loans can reach 70-75% LTV. Development finance may offer up to 65% of Gross Development Value. We can advise on the maximum available for your specific circumstances.

Yes, you can often release equity from commercial property through refinancing or additional borrowing. Some lenders also consider business goodwill and trading performance when assessing lending. We can help you understand how much equity may be available and the best way to access it.

A secured loan requires an asset (usually property) as collateral, offering lower rates and higher amounts but with the asset at risk if you default. An unsecured loan requires no collateral, is faster to arrange, but typically has higher rates and lower limits. Your circumstances will determine which is more appropriate.

Finance products range from short-term (bridging loans: 1-24 months) to long-term (commercial mortgages: up to 25 years). Asset finance typically runs 2-7 years, while unsecured loans range from 3 months to 5 years. We'll match the term to your needs and repayment capacity.

Both fixed and variable rates are available depending on the product and lender. Fixed rates offer payment certainty but may be slightly higher. Variable rates track base rate or SONIA and can be lower initially but may fluctuate. We'll explain the options and help you choose what suits your risk appetite and budget.

Repayment terms vary by product: unsecured loans typically 1-5 years, asset finance 2-7 years, commercial mortgages up to 25 years. Monthly repayments depend on the amount borrowed, term length, and interest rate. We provide full repayment schedules before you commit so you know exactly what to expect.

Costs vary by product but may include: arrangement fees (typically 1-2% of the loan), valuation fees for property-secured lending, legal fees, broker fees (where applicable), and ongoing account fees. We provide a full breakdown of all costs upfront so there are no surprises.

Many loans include Early Repayment Charges (ERCs), especially fixed-rate products. These typically reduce over time and may disappear after a set period. Some products have no ERCs at all. We'll explain any early repayment terms before you proceed so you can factor this into your decision.

Some facilities, particularly larger loans, may include covenants such as maintaining certain financial ratios, providing regular management accounts, or restrictions on additional borrowing. We'll explain any covenants clearly and help you understand your ongoing obligations.

Lenders assess affordability by reviewing your business accounts, cashflow, and ability to service debt. For property lending, they may stress test at higher interest rates (typically 2-3% above the actual rate) to ensure you can cope if rates rise. We can help you understand what's required and prepare your application accordingly.

Key requirements typically include: minimum trading history (6 months to 2+ years depending on product), minimum revenue thresholds, UK-based business, and acceptable credit history. Some sectors may have restrictions. We'll quickly assess your eligibility and identify suitable lenders for your circumstances.

Your business credit score influences both approval likelihood and the interest rate offered. Higher scores typically mean access to more lenders and better rates. However, many lenders focus more on current trading performance than historic scores. We work with lenders across the credit spectrum and can advise on your options.

We work with a wide panel of lenders including high street banks, challenger banks, specialist lenders, and alternative finance providers. We're not tied to any single lender, which means we can search the whole market to find the best solution for your needs. Our panel is regularly reviewed to ensure we offer the most competitive options.

Our relationship doesn't end when your funding completes. We're here to support you throughout the loan term, whether you need to discuss refinancing options, additional funding, or changes to your facility. Many clients come back to us for future funding needs as their business grows.

We maintain close relationships with our lender panel and receive regular updates on new products, criteria changes, and market developments. Our team attends industry events, undertakes ongoing professional development, and monitors market conditions daily to ensure we can offer you the most current and competitive options available.