What is Commercial Finance and When Does It Help?

Commercial finance refers to lending and funding products designed for businesses rather than consumer borrowing. These facilities help companies acquire commercial property, refinance existing debt, buy or lease equipment, bridge short-term cashflow gaps, fund developments and support expansion projects.

Typical use cases include:

• Purchasing commercial premises or investment property
• Funding property development and refurbishment
• Asset or equipment purchases (machinery, vehicles, IT)
• Invoice finance to unlock working capital
• Short-term bridging to complete purchases or auctions
• Refinancing or consolidating existing business debt

What this means for you: lenders assess each case differently, so being matched to a broker or lender who knows your sector improves your chances of a suitable offer.

How Fast Business Loans Matches You with Commercial Finance Specialists

Our service is designed to be fast and straightforward. Here’s how it works:

1. Quick enquiry: You tell us the funding type, amount (we typically handle finance requests from about £10,000 upwards), business details and contact info via a short form.
2. Targeted matching: We match your enquiry to the lenders and brokers on our panel who specialise in your requirement and sector.
3. Rapid response: A broker or lender will usually contact you by phone or email to discuss options and next steps.
4. Decide: Compare the proposals and choose the route that suits your business. There’s no pressure to proceed.

No obligation, no fee to use our introducer service — and submitting an enquiry will not impact your credit score. Start Your Commercial Finance Enquiry.

Types of Commercial Finance We Can Introduce You To

We work with lenders and brokers offering a wide range of business finance solutions. Learn more about commercial finance options and which lenders specialise in each area.

Commercial Mortgages & Property Loans

For purchasing commercial buildings, buy-to-let commercial property or investment assets. Loan sizes often range from £50,000 to several million. Security is commonly required and rates/terms vary by borrower and property type. Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Commercial Bridging Finance

Short-term loans to complete purchases, secure planning windows or move quickly on an opportunity. Terms are typically days to 12 months with higher costs than long-term mortgages; exits should be planned (sale, refinance). Get Quote Now.

Development Finance

Funding staged construction or refurbishment projects. Lenders often release funds in tranches tied to project milestones. Development finance suits experienced developers and requires robust cost plans and exit strategies. Start Your Enquiry.

Asset & Equipment Finance

Hire purchase, leases or secured loans to acquire machinery, vehicles or specialist equipment. Enables businesses to spread costs while preserving working capital. Typical facilities can start from around £10,000. Free Eligibility Check.

Invoice Finance & Factoring

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Useful for seasonal trade or rapid growth. Advances usually a percentage of invoice value; fees and advance rates depend on debtor quality and sector. Get Quote Now.

Working Capital & Term Loans

Medium-term loans to support cashflow, stock purchases or business expansion. Amounts and terms vary considerably; lenders will look at turnover, profits and trading history. Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

Sector Expertise Across the UK Economy

Sector knowledge matters: lenders price industry risk differently. We match you to partners who understand your market and can present your case effectively.

Get Matched to a Sector‑Savvy Broker.

Eligibility Checklist and Documentation Tips

Each lender has different criteria. Typical requirements include:

• Limited company status and at least some trading history (varies by product)
• Turnover and profitability aligned with requested loan amount
• Director personal credit profiles where personal guarantees are required
• Security details (property, assets) for secured lending

Documents to prepare:

• Recent management accounts and historic annual accounts
• Business plan or project costs for development finance
• Asset valuations, VAT returns and cashflow forecasts
• Proof of ID and address for company directors

Understanding Costs, Rates and Risks

Rates and fees depend on loan type, term, security, sector and borrower profile. Typical additional costs can include arrangement fees, valuation fees, broker fees and legal costs. Your broker will provide a full breakdown before you commit.

Risk reminder: missing repayments can put business or director assets at risk. Always review terms carefully and consider independent advice if unsure.

Request a no-obligation cost comparison.

Advantages of Using Fast Business Loans as Your Introducer

• Save time: we select only the lenders/brokers that fit your need
• Targeted matches increase the chance of a relevant offer
• Wide panel covering specialist and mainstream providers
• Free to use and no obligation to proceed
• Data treated securely and shared only with relevant partners

Illustrative client feedback: “Submitted a short enquiry and a specialist broker called within hours — saved us weeks of research.” (Illustrative scenario)

Free Eligibility Check – 2 Minute Form

Realistic Commercial Finance Scenarios

Illustrative scenario — Manufacturer expanding premises

A mid-sized manufacturer needed approximately £750,000 to buy adjoining land and extend production capacity. We introduced them to a broker experienced in industrial property finance; the broker arranged a commercial mortgage with phased drawdowns and advised on tax-efficiency of the purchase. Outcome: project completed with manageable monthly payments. Outcomes vary and this is not a guarantee of funding.

Illustrative scenario — Developer needing a bridging facility

A developer required a short-term bridging loan to secure a plot at auction while finalising longer-term development finance. The introducer matched the enquiry to a lender able to fund quickly; the bridging facility was repaid when the longer-term development loan completed. This example is illustrative only.

How to Improve Your Approval Prospects

• Keep director personal credit files clean
• Prepare clear, up‑to‑date management accounts and cashflow forecasts
• Reduce unnecessary short-term liabilities before applying
• Provide realistic project costs and a credible exit strategy for short-term facilities
• Work with brokers who specialise in your sector

Early enquiry helps spot gaps quickly — Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Finance

How quickly can commercial finance be secured?

Timescales vary by product. Initial responses from brokers are often within a few business hours; funding can take days for simple facilities or several weeks for mortgages and development finance depending on valuations and legal work.

What loan amounts do your partner lenders consider?

Our panel covers a broad range — from around £10,000 upwards into the millions. Specific limits depend on the lender and the facility.

Do I need property as security?

Not always. Asset finance and invoice finance may not require property security, but commercial mortgages, bridging and many development facilities commonly do. Each lender sets its own security requirements.

Will my enquiry affect our business or personal credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans is a soft, no-impact step. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed with an application.

Are the brokers you work with regulated?

We introduce to a range of brokers and lenders. If regulatory status is important to you, ask the broker for details — they will confirm whether they are regulated and by whom.

Do you charge businesses for this service?

No. It’s free for businesses to submit an enquiry. Any broker or lender fees will be disclosed before you sign a deal.

Ready to Explore Commercial Finance Options?

Fast Business Loans makes it simple to find the right finance partner for your commercial needs. Submit a short enquiry now and we’ll match you to lenders or brokers who can help — typically you’ll hear back within a few business hours. Get Your Commercial Finance Quote Now.

Disclosure: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice. Rates and fees vary by lender and are subject to status.