What is commercial finance and when might your business need it?

Commercial finance describes lending and funding solutions used by companies for business activities rather than personal needs. It covers property purchases, development and bridging, asset and equipment purchases, working capital, invoice finance, and specialist facilities like mezzanine funding.

Typical use cases:

• Buying or refinancing commercial property or investment premises.
• Financing a property development or bridge-to-refinance.
• Unlocking cash tied up in invoices or stock (invoice finance).
• Purchasing machinery, vehicles or IT via asset/equipment finance.
• Short-term working capital to cover seasonal peaks or growth.

Key takeaway: Commercial finance is a broad category — the right product depends on purpose, security available, timings and the business’s financial profile.

Why partner with Fast Business Loans to find commercial funding?

Searching for commercial finance can be time-consuming. Fast Business Loans simplifies that search by matching your company with vetted lenders and brokers who specialise in your type of request and sector.

How our process works (4 steps)

1. Complete a short enquiry telling us what you need — takes under 2 minutes.
2. We match your business to suitable lenders and brokers from our UK panel.
3. Partners contact you directly with questions and competitive proposals.
4. You compare options and choose the best fit. No obligation to proceed.

Benefits at a glance:

• Save time — get matched quickly instead of researching dozens of providers.
• Better fit — we match by product and sector experience (e.g., construction, hospitality).
• No obligation and no credit footprint from submitting an enquiry.
• Support for transactions from roughly £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes. No obligation. Completing this form will not affect your credit score.

Commercial finance products we can help you explore

Below are the main products our partners arrange. Each product fits particular needs — a broker/lender will advise the most appropriate route.

Commercial mortgages

For purchasing or refinancing commercial property. Typically secured against the property, terms up to 25 years. Suitable for landlords, investors and owner-occupiers.

Bridging & development finance

Short-term loans for purchases, site acquisition or to fund developments before long-term finance/refinance. Fast to arrange but can carry higher fees and rates.

Asset finance (equipment, vehicles, machinery)

Structured finance to acquire or refinance assets. Options include hire purchase and lease, often preserving cash flow and matching repayments to asset life.

Invoice & receivables finance

Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Improves liquidity and supports growth without taking additional security over property.

Asset-based lending

Loans secured against a mix of assets (debtors, stock, plant). Useful for larger facilities or turnaround situations.

Specialist facilities

Merchant cash advance, mezzanine funding and development exit finance — suitable for complex or higher-risk transactions where standard banks may not be appropriate.

Eligibility & documents lenders typically ask for

Requirements vary by lender and product. Below is a practical checklist to prepare your enquiry and speed up the process.

Must-have documents

• Company registration details (registered company name, number).
• Latest management accounts (typically 12–24 months where available).
• Bank statements (business) for recent months.
• Details of directors / shareholders and ID where requested.
• Brief summary of funding use and amount required.

Good-to-have (improves match & speed)

• Cashflow forecasts and business plan for growth or development projects.
• Property information (valuations, leases) if financing commercial real estate.
• Details of existing debts and securities.

Free Eligibility Check — no obligation and no impact on your credit score.

Understanding costs, rates & common fees

Costs depend on product and risk profile. Key elements to compare:

• Interest rate (fixed or variable) — quoted as annual percentage rates or margins over base rate.
• Arrangement / facility fees — one-off charges on completion.
• Valuation, legal and broker fees — may apply depending on security and lender requirements.
• Exit fees or prepayment penalties on some facilities.

Example (illustrative only): a bridging loan for a property purchase might charge a higher interest rate for a short term plus an arrangement fee of 1–3% and valuation/legal costs. Always request a full breakdown from lenders before committing.

Fast Business Loans does not charge you — we introduce you free of charge to partners who will quote their terms.

Sector snapshots: commercial finance in action

Construction contractor

Problem: cashflow shortfall while waiting on client payments. Solution: invoice finance to unlock working capital, allowing the business to pay suppliers and staff without delay.

Property developer

Problem: purchase of a site and funding build costs. Solution: development finance to fund the project, then refinance with a commercial mortgage on completion.

Hospitality business

Problem: refurbishment and expansion of a hotel. Solution: asset & fit-out finance combined with a short-term working capital facility to manage seasonal fluctuations.

Connect with a specialist broker today — quick, sector-matched introductions.

Typical timeline: from enquiry to funding

Timelines vary by product and complexity, but a common pathway:

• Day 0: Submit enquiry.
• Within hours: matching and initial partner contact (often same business day).
• Days–weeks: lender due diligence, documentation and formal offers.
• Weeks–months: legal completion and drawdown (quicker for unsecured or asset finance; longer for complex mortgages).

Fast Business Loans aims to accelerate the matching stage so you can move into lender conversations quickly.

Trust, transparency & how we handle your data

Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend. We share your enquiry with selected lenders/brokers who might be able to help. Partners we work with are chosen for experience and sector knowledge.

Data security: your details are shared only with relevant partners to progress your enquiry. Completing our enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Start My Enquiry — No Obligation (No obligation. Completing this form will not affect your credit score.)

Frequently asked questions

Is Fast Business Loans a direct lender?

No. We introduce businesses to lenders and brokers who may provide commercial finance.

How quickly will I hear from a lender?

Often within hours during business hours. Complex facilities may take longer as lenders request additional information.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit rating?

No. Submitting the Fast Business Loans enquiry is a soft process and does not leave a footprint. Lenders may perform credit checks only when you decide to proceed.

What sizes of loan can you help with?

We commonly assist with facilities from around £10,000 upwards, into the multi‑million range depending on product and lender capacity.

Do you support businesses with imperfect credit history?

Yes. Our panel includes providers willing to consider a range of credit profiles; eligibility depends on individual lender criteria.

Will you recommend the best lender?

We match you with lenders/brokers who best fit your stated requirements and sector. You will receive options to compare and decide — there is no obligation to proceed.

Ready to take the next step?

Get matched to the right lenders and brokers quickly. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll connect you to partners who can provide quotes and discuss next steps.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (No obligation. Completing this form will not affect your credit score.)

For more detail about commercial finance types and how they compare, see our full guide on commercial finance.

Important information & disclaimers

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Any finance offers are subject to lender criteria and status. Completing our enquiry form is free and will not affect your credit score. We connect you to lenders and brokers who can provide full terms and conditions.