Commercial Finance for UK Businesses: Compare Trusted Lending Options Fast
Summary: Commercial finance covers funding for property, development, equipment, working capital and more. Fast Business Loans does not lend — we match UK limited companies and established SMEs (loans from around £10,000+) with specialist lenders and brokers so you can quickly compare suitable options. Submit a short, no‑obligation enquiry and receive a free eligibility check to get matched with providers who understand your sector. Get Your Free Eligibility Check
What is commercial finance and when it helps
Commercial finance describes borrowing and funding products designed for business use rather than personal needs. It commonly includes finance for:
- Buying or developing commercial property (offices, warehouses, retail units)
- Funding construction or development projects
- Purchasing machinery, vehicles or specialist equipment
- Managing cashflow (invoice finance, short-term bridging)
- Refinancing or consolidating existing business debt
For established companies planning growth or managing seasonal demand, commercial finance provides tailored capital that’s usually larger and more flexible than typical small-business borrowing. If you need from around £10,000 upwards, our panel can help find appropriate options quickly. Free Eligibility Check
Why use Fast Business Loans for commercial funding
Searching dozens of lenders takes time. Fast Business Loans streamlines that by introducing your enquiry to vetted brokers and lenders best matched to your requirements. We are an introducer — not a lender — and our service is:
- Fast: a short enquiry connects you to relevant partners in minutes.
- Tailored: we match by sector, loan type and size so you speak to providers who understand your business.
- No obligation: it’s free to use and you decide whether to proceed with any offer.
- Credit‑friendly: the initial match process uses a soft search or no credit check — lenders only run hard checks if you choose to proceed.
Complete our quick form in under two minutes to start: Get Quote Now.
How our commercial finance matching works
Step 1 – Share your business goals
Tell us the amount you need, the purpose (property, equipment, cashflow), and a few business details. This is a simple enquiry — not a loan application.
Step 2 – Receive matches with relevant brokers & lenders
We review the details and connect you with partners who specialise in your sector or finance type. Matches are selected to increase your chance of a suitable offer.
Step 3 – Compare offers & choose confidently
Partners contact you directly to discuss terms and request any documentation. You compare offers and progress with the best fit — there’s no obligation to accept.
Timeline & what happens next
Many enquiries get an initial response within hours during business hours. Times to funding vary by product and complexity — from a few days for invoice or asset finance to several weeks for larger property or development funding.
Get Matched Today — it’s free and takes just a couple of minutes to start.
Commercial finance products we can help you access
Through our introducer network you can be matched to providers offering:
| Finance type | Typical uses | Estimated time to funding | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property & development finance | Purchasing, refurb, development funding | 2–12+ weeks | Commercial property / development security |
| Working capital & cashflow (invoice finance) | Payroll, stock, short-term gaps | Days to 2 weeks | Often secured against invoices or business assets |
| Asset & equipment finance | Machinery, vehicles, plant | Days to weeks | Asset-backed (equipment serves as security) |
| Bridging loans | Short-term property gaps, auction purchases | Days to weeks | Property security, short-term exit plan required |
| Refinance & consolidation | Reduce monthly payments, simplify debt | Weeks | Dependent on lenders — can be secured or unsecured |
Note: final terms, rates and lending decisions are set by the lenders. Fast Business Loans introduces you to providers who will make offers directly.
Who commercial finance suits best
Commercial finance is commonly used by:
- Established limited companies and growth-focused SMEs
- Property developers and commercial landlords
- Construction, manufacturing and logistics firms needing capital-intensive equipment
- Businesses with predictable invoice flows that want working capital solutions
If you’re leading a company planning investment, expansion, or managing large cashflow needs, start with a Free Eligibility Check: Start Your Commercial Finance Enquiry.
Commercial finance eligibility criteria & how to strengthen your application
Each lender sets their own criteria, but the common factors they consider include:
- Trading history and annual turnover
- Profitability and cashflow trends
- Quality and value of any security offered (property, plant, invoices)
- Directors’ credit and CVs for the business plan
How to strengthen your application
- Prepare recent management accounts and bank statements
- Provide forecasts showing how funds will be used and repaid
- Value and document any assets offered as security
- Be transparent about previous borrowing or adverse events — brokers can often find routes where a single lender could not
Even if you’re unsure about documentation, submit an enquiry — brokers often advise on missing items before you formally apply. Discuss Your Eligibility Free
Indicative commercial finance costs & terms
Costs vary widely. Key drivers are loan size, term, security and borrower risk profile. Typical ranges observed across the market (for illustration only) are:
- Interest: from mid-single digits APR for low-risk secured deals to higher rates for short-term or higher-risk lending
- Arrangement fees: commonly 0.5%–3% (sometimes fixed)
- LTV (loan-to-value) on property: often 60%–75% depending on project and lender
These are illustrative only — individual offers depend on lender assessment and documentation. Fast Business Loans does not provide financial advice; consider independent advice if unsure. Get Quote Now
Case snapshot: how UK firms use commercial finance
All examples are anonymised and illustrative.
- Developer funding: A small developer secured staged development finance to complete a conversion project. Outcome: completed sale and improved cash returns.
- Fleet expansion: Logistics firm used asset finance to replace vehicles without a large capital outlay. Outcome: improved delivery capacity and predictable repayments.
- Invoice finance: A manufacturing business unlocked cash from unpaid invoices to meet a large supplier order. Outcome: met order deadlines and grew revenue.
Want to discuss a scenario like these? Talk to a Commercial Finance Specialist
Commercial finance FAQs
- Is Fast Business Loans a lender or broker?
- We are an introducer: we connect UK businesses with lenders and brokers who provide finance directly.
- Will enquiring affect my credit score?
- Submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit file. Lenders may carry out credit checks only if you choose to progress an application.
- How quickly can commercial finance be arranged?
- Depends on product and complexity — from a few days (invoice or asset finance) to several weeks for property/development finance.
- What amounts can I borrow through your partners?
- Our network typically handles commercial deals from around £10,000 up to several million pounds, depending on the lender.
- Can I apply if I had previous refusals?
- Yes. Because we match you to multiple providers, you may find options where previous approaches were unsuccessful.
- Do you charge to use your service?
- Fast Business Loans is free to use for business owners. Any fees shown in lender offers will be disclosed by that lender or broker.
- What information do I need to provide?
- Basic business details, turnover, funding amount and purpose. Lenders will request more documents as an application progresses.
Compliance & transparency statement
Fast Business Loans acts solely as an introducer and does not provide regulated lending or financial advice. We aim to make our promotions clear, fair and not misleading. Final borrowing terms, eligibility and credit decisions are the responsibility of the lender or broker you engage with. If you are unsure about taking finance that is secured against assets, please seek independent professional advice.
Privacy and secure handling of your data are important to us — see our privacy policy for details. For full terms and conditions please refer to our website.
Ready to explore commercial finance?
If you need funding from around £10,000 upwards for property, equipment, cashflow or growth, start with a short enquiry and we’ll match you to the lenders and brokers most likely to help. It’s free, quick and non‑binding.
Start My Commercial Finance Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check
About Fast Business Loans
Fast Business Loans connects UK businesses with trusted finance brokers and lenders. We help save time by matching you with partners who understand your sector so you can compare options and decide with confidence. We earn revenue when businesses complete the enquiry form and choose to proceed with providers — which is why completing the quick form is the fastest way to get tailored responses.
Learn more about our service on our site or start your enquiry now.
1) Are Fast Business Loans a lender or broker?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK businesses with vetted lenders and brokers; we don’t lend or provide financial advice.
2) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our initial matching uses a soft search or no credit check, and lenders only run hard checks if you decide to proceed.
3) What types of commercial finance can I compare?
We connect you with providers for property and development finance, invoice finance and working capital, asset and equipment finance, bridging loans, and refinance/consolidation.
4) What loan amounts are available?
Our partners typically consider funding from around £10,000 up to several million pounds, subject to lender criteria.
5) How quickly can I get funding?
Invoice or asset finance can complete in a few days, while larger property or development deals usually take several weeks.
6) What will it cost (rates and fees)?
Costs vary by loan size, term, security and risk, with market examples from mid‑single‑digit APRs on lower‑risk secured deals and arrangement fees commonly 0.5%–3%.
7) Do I need security or collateral?
Many options are secured against property, equipment or invoices, while unsecured availability depends on your profile and the lender’s assessment.
8) What information or documents will I need?
Start with basic business details, turnover, amount and purpose, then expect requests for management accounts, bank statements, forecasts and any asset valuations.
9) Can you help if I’ve been declined by a bank or lender before?
Yes—because we match you with multiple specialist providers, you may find suitable options even if previous applications were unsuccessful.
10) Is the enquiry form a loan application?
No—it’s a short, free and no‑obligation eligibility check used to match you with suitable lenders and brokers.
